General
- Remember that the conservancy is first and foremost a nature reserve and all conduct in the conservancy must be accordingly.
- Please remain on the existing trails. Do not walk or ride in the veld or create new paths or trails.
- Always be considerate towards other users.
Dogs
The rule is that dogs must be leashed at all times. We have relaxed the enforcement of this rule, subject to good co-operation from everyone. If we do not receive the required co-operation, we will unfortunately have to enforce the rule on leashes. What we require at the moment is –
- It remains preferable that dogs should be on a leash. The larger the dog, the greater the need to have it on a leash. (Even if your dog is harmless in your own eyes, other users do not know your dog and often feel threatened.)
- A leash must in any event always be at hand for all dogs.
- Unleashed dogs must at all times be under the immediate and effective control of the owner.
- As a guideline, a dog should never be further than about 10 meters from its owner.
- Dogs may never be allowed to chase or disturb animals in the conservancy. This includes waterfowl in particular.
It is recommended that dogs play and swim only on the Western (Rayton) side of the dam, where there are usually fewer birds.
- If your dog poops in the path, please remove it!!! No one wants to keep looking on the ground to avoid ‘landmines’. It is acceptable to throw it into the veld.
Mountain Bikers
- Please slow down when approaching walkers and/or dogs.
- Stay on the existing paths. Please do not create new paths or shortcuts at intersections.
- MTB’s promote rutting and erosion, particularly when wheels drag or slide. Kindly ride responsibly.
Algemeen
- Onthou dat die bewarea eerstens ‘n natuurreservaat is en dat alle gedrag in die bewarea dienooreenkomstig moet wees.
- Bly asseblief op die bestaande paadjies. Moet nie in die veld loop of ry of nuwe paadjies maak nie.
- Wees bedagsaam teenoor ander gebruikers.
Honde
Die bestaande reël is dat alle honde te alle tye aan ‘n leiband moet wees. Ons het die toepassing daarvan egter verslap, onderhewig aan goeie samewerking deur almal. As ons nie die nodige samewerking kry nie, sal ons verplig wees om die leibandreël af te dwing. Wat ons tans vereis is –
- Dit is steeds verkieslik dat honde aan leibande moet wees. Hoe groter die hond, hoe groter die wenslikheid van ‘n leiband. (Al is jou hond volgens jou oordeel skadeloos, ander mense ken hom nie en voel dikwels bedreig.)
- Leibande moet in elk geval te alle tye beskikbaar wees vir alle honde.
- Loslopende honde moet te alle tye onder die onmiddellike effektiewe beheer van die eienaar wees.
- As riglyn behoort ‘n hond in elk geval nie verder as sowat 10 meter van sy eienaar te beweeg nie.
- Honde moet nie toegelaat word om die diertjies wat nog daar voorkom te versteur of te jaag nie. Dit sluit ook die watervoëls in.
Dit word aanbeveel dat honde net aan die westekant (Rayton kant) van die dam speel en swem, waar daar minder voëls voorkom.
- As jou hond in die paadjie poef, verwyder dit asb!!! Niemand wil heeltyd op die grond kyk om slagysters te vermy nie. Dit is voldoende om dit in die veld te gooi.
Fietsryers
- Ry asseblief stadig as jy stappers en honde nader.
- Bly op bestaande paadjies. Moet nie nuwe paadjies of kortpaaie by aansluitings skep nie.
- Fietse bevorder slote en erosie, veral as die bande sleep. Ry verantwoordelik asseblief.
- Rules: English
-
General
- Remember that the conservancy is first and foremost a nature reserve and all conduct in the conservancy must be accordingly.
- Please remain on the existing trails. Do not walk or ride in the veld or create new paths or trails.
- Always be considerate towards other users.
Dogs
The rule is that dogs must be leashed at all times. We have relaxed the enforcement of this rule, subject to good co-operation from everyone. If we do not receive the required co-operation, we will unfortunately have to enforce the rule on leashes. What we require at the moment is –
- It remains preferable that dogs should be on a leash. The larger the dog, the greater the need to have it on a leash. (Even if your dog is harmless in your own eyes, other users do not know your dog and often feel threatened.)
- A leash must in any event always be at hand for all dogs.
- Unleashed dogs must at all times be under the immediate and effective control of the owner.
- As a guideline, a dog should never be further than about 10 meters from its owner.
- Dogs may never be allowed to chase or disturb animals in the conservancy. This includes waterfowl in particular.
It is recommended that dogs play and swim only on the Western (Rayton) side of the dam, where there are usually fewer birds.
- If your dog poops in the path, please remove it!!! No one wants to keep looking on the ground to avoid ‘landmines’. It is acceptable to throw it into the veld.
Mountain Bikers
- Please slow down when approaching walkers and/or dogs.
- Stay on the existing paths. Please do not create new paths or shortcuts at intersections.
- MTB’s promote rutting and erosion, particularly when wheels drag or slide. Kindly ride responsibly.
- Rules: Afrikaans
-
Algemeen
- Onthou dat die bewarea eerstens ‘n natuurreservaat is en dat alle gedrag in die bewarea dienooreenkomstig moet wees.
- Bly asseblief op die bestaande paadjies. Moet nie in die veld loop of ry of nuwe paadjies maak nie.
- Wees bedagsaam teenoor ander gebruikers.
Honde
Die bestaande reël is dat alle honde te alle tye aan ‘n leiband moet wees. Ons het die toepassing daarvan egter verslap, onderhewig aan goeie samewerking deur almal. As ons nie die nodige samewerking kry nie, sal ons verplig wees om die leibandreël af te dwing. Wat ons tans vereis is –
- Dit is steeds verkieslik dat honde aan leibande moet wees. Hoe groter die hond, hoe groter die wenslikheid van ‘n leiband. (Al is jou hond volgens jou oordeel skadeloos, ander mense ken hom nie en voel dikwels bedreig.)
- Leibande moet in elk geval te alle tye beskikbaar wees vir alle honde.
- Loslopende honde moet te alle tye onder die onmiddellike effektiewe beheer van die eienaar wees.
- As riglyn behoort ‘n hond in elk geval nie verder as sowat 10 meter van sy eienaar te beweeg nie.
- Honde moet nie toegelaat word om die diertjies wat nog daar voorkom te versteur of te jaag nie. Dit sluit ook die watervoëls in.
Dit word aanbeveel dat honde net aan die westekant (Rayton kant) van die dam speel en swem, waar daar minder voëls voorkom.
- As jou hond in die paadjie poef, verwyder dit asb!!! Niemand wil heeltyd op die grond kyk om slagysters te vermy nie. Dit is voldoende om dit in die veld te gooi.
Fietsryers
- Ry asseblief stadig as jy stappers en honde nader.
- Bly op bestaande paadjies. Moet nie nuwe paadjies of kortpaaie by aansluitings skep nie.
- Fietse bevorder slote en erosie, veral as die bande sleep. Ry verantwoordelik asseblief.
Activities in the 7 Dams
Some of the activities in the 7 Dams include:
- Walking on the many paths, including with dogs on a lead;
- Group walks for those not comfortable walking alone, or who do not know the area;
- Guided walks on the ecology and culture of the area (free of charge) – contact Fred Kirsten at 083 205 0638 to make arrangements;
- Running;
- Cycling, and a number of mountain bike clubs use the area;
- Birdwatching;
- Picnics – but no fires please.
Map in relation to Bloemfontein
Map detailing entry into 7 Dams Conservancy
Frequently Asked Questions
Simply by completing the registration form accepting the rules as indicated on the form and paying your membership fee.
The only requirement is that you contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the conservancy by way of your membership fee, and that you adhere to the rules applicable in the conservancy.
The rate has been fixed at a mere R300/year, payable in full.
Due to practical considerations, the annual fee must be paid in full before members will receive the access code. Monthly payments are not accepted.
NB: Please send your proof of payment to info@7dams.co.za to expedite your access.
There is only one tariff. With the very basic administrative and financial system that we are running with our volunteer committee, it would complicate matters too much to allow different tariffs. We are in any event of the view that the tariff is extremely reasonable.
Unfortunately not. Practical considerations regarding access control and the frequent change of access codes make it impossible at this stage.
The access code is usually provided within 24 hours of us receiving your proof of payment. There may be times that it may take a few days, as we have to rely on available committee members to attend to the administration, but that is the exception and not the rule.
Yes, of course, but subject to certain rules and guidelines. In principle, dogs must always be either leashed or under the effective control of the owner. Please refer to the rules for more details, and bear in mind that the conservancy is first and foremost a nature reserve.
All our access gates have the same access code to ease access for members and you may make use of any one or more. The Wild Olive Estate gate (Christo Groenwald street) is reserved for residents of the immediate vicinity. You may however obtain the code upon good motivation submitted to us.
We have no objection against the occasional visitors accompanying members. This does not mean a free for all and for large groups to enter. We view two guests per paying member as reasonable. Regular ‘guests’ should be encouraged to join in their own name, thereby contributing to the maintenance, improvement and protection of the conservancy. If all contribute, the amount per person would remain negligible.
We are of the view that our fees are extremely reasonable and affordable for all. R20 per month can nowadays hardly buy you a loaf of bread or a litre of Coke.
No. Our fees are limited to two paying members per household, thus there is an automatic curb. Children are allowed free of charge up to the age of 21, provided that they share the same household.
We prefer that children be accompanied by one or both parents. Please see the remarks regarding safety
There are two issues here: Animals and criminal activity.
Animals: The usual suspects like bees and spiders must be expected to be present. Scorpions have not been noticed recently. There are however a fair number of snakes, including venomous ones. While they would tend to avoid people, please be aware of their presence, particularly during the summer months.
Criminal activity: While we cannot guarantee visitors’ safety, we are of the view that it is much safer in the conservancy than in the city centre or similar places. There have only been two or three minor incidents during earlier years, before fencing was erected, but since access control has been established on three sides, bush sleepers and vagrants have been virtually eliminated. There was one fairly serious incident about 3 years ago.
If you are worried, get someone to accompany you or go during the most active times when there are more people around. During the early morning and late afternoon there is always a fair number of people around, which adds to the general safety of the area.
Please take note that, while we try to keep paths cut reasonably open and the trails and wooden bridges in good repair, all visitors use the conservancy at own risk.
It is recommended that children always be accompanied by an adult member.
Guided walks are provided free of charge. Please call Fred Kirsten at 083 205 0638 to arrange. Occasional other events are also arranged and these are advertised on our facebook. Please like us on facebook.