The reserve covers an area of 3800 hectares and can support up to 2000 head of game. The Rietvlei Dam was built during the great depression (1929 to early 1930's). The dam is fed by the Sesmyl (Six Mile) Spruit, five fountains and five boreholes. This is an excellent area for birdwatching, and the dense woodland surrounding the Sesmyl Spruit creates a habitat for completely different birdlife. The dam provides Pretoria with 15% of its water. Rietvlei has a conference centre ('Boma'), horse riding and hiking trails, picnic site with a good bird hide, night drives are offered and angling can be done once a permit is obtained.