Melville Koppies West

1 Nthabiseng Sebogodi - 2 weeks ago

I had only been hiking for 30 mins when two men approached my friend and I and robbed us by gun point I tried to escape but i ended up tripping and he attacked me from the top I succumbed a few bruises and , i would highly recommend that you only go on sundays pr dont go at all there are alot of suspicious activities happening here , like people offloading stuff from their cars and obviously the mugging and attacks , i'm currently recovering and dont wish this upon anyone , be safe .

3 Matthew de Beer - 4 years ago

Such a beautiful place. But unfortunately it has been littered and destroyed. Sure staying on the path you can look past all of it. But just look a little deeper in and you'll see.

Also, I found an open fire that was left unattended and started spreading, I was able to put it out after about half an hour.

The heritage cave is also destroyed by people making fire in it.

Very sad.

4 Baron Samedi - 4 years ago

The park itself is wonderful. One doesn't expect to see a piece of unspoiled land in the middle of the city!

Melville Koppies West is entered by a gate in the fence. If you came here by car, park it in a safe place and walk to the gate. Don't park next to the fence - it isn't safe.

Try to come in groups and keep to areas of the park that are safe. Places to avoid(in general) are the watercourse and environs, the "walk" which goes straight from the river to Westpark(basically just a groove worn in the ground), holes in fences and their surroundings and places where (especially intoxicated) people loiter about. This vandalism is caused by a group of addicts who had to go and find a new place to get high after 2 drug houses in Melville were raided and demolished. They broke in here and stole the old fence to sell for drug money. Some of them doss down near the watercourse.

Please don't steal things. This includes Stone Age tools and plants("One will grow again" isn't an excuse. These plants are indigenous and take decades to grow). Rather use your phone's camera to take photos. The city also prohibits dogs, except on leads and trained(Apparently there is a monthly "dog day" but I know only that it exists). I shouldn't have to say this, but the seclusion of an area should NOT be construed as an invitation to loosen your trousers and defaecate.

The best time to go is in the morning, before the addicts have woken up.

Thank you, JHB City Parks, for eventually fixing the fence after half a year of my calling u0026 complaining!

4 Dominique Parkin - 5 years ago

it's fun and a place to enjoy nature but it's not always safe don't go alone

3 Janet Makin - 5 years ago

Absolutely lovely place almost in city centre. Where you can take the children to feed the ducks and ideal picnic spot. Many joggers, cyclists, runners, children learning to ride bicycles, fly kites and daddy's learning their drones. A large strata of society and race but friendly, happy, enjoying the outdoors and feeling safe.

2 NF N - 3 years ago

Amazing place to hiking in and explore, ENTER AT OWN RISK!
You will be mugged sooner or later in groups or alone, doesn't matter.
Walking in groups with dogs seems the safest option,
If you want to experience everything Africa has to offer then please come inside for your
genuine armed Robby experience, don't bother informing SAPS afterwards as they will send you stump to post and do the blame game between cop shops.
Nothing can and will be done to stop the crime inside.

5 Helene - 2 months ago

Great place but be careful.