Join Mensa Winelands’ favourite flaura and fauna expert, Andreas Groenewald, for a guided New Moon Night Walk in the Helderberg Nature Reserve on Friday 12 March.
We’ll meet inside the reserve at 18h30 for hot chocolate and marshmallows, prior to the walk commencing at 19h00.
The Helderberg Nature Reserve is renowned for its numerous nocturnal inhabitants – expect to encounter an assortment of amphibians, see night jars and owls, and be amazed by the spiders and scorpions which glow light green under ultra-violet light.
There’s also the possibility of sighting porcupine, caracal, foxes and genets, as well as some of the reserve’s other larger inhabitants.
For astronomers, the night sky visibility is better here than anywhere else in the district.
For photographers, there’s an opportunity to contribute to the research being conducted in the reserve by submitting your photographs to their data collection team.
You’re advised to wear non-slip footwear or wellies, to dress warmly, and to bring a torch. The walk is classified as ‘easy’, mostly on flat ground, and will last approximately two-and-a-half hours.
The cost of the excursion is R 50pp, which includes the entrance fee to the Helderberg Nature Reserve. An additional fee of R 15 per car will be levied.
Numbers are limited and pre-booking and payment is essential.