The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Bon Accord Dam
Afrikaans name: Bon Accorddam
Bon Accord Dam
Photo © Steven Herbert
Gauteng
Bon Accord is located on the northern outskirts of Pretoria. It is popular with fisherman and the boating community. It is also a popular place for braais and picnics. There is a pub near the entrance which also serves meals. It is quite pleasant to sit under the large trees and enjoy a light meal. There is accommodation nearby the dam.
The dam is fed by the Apies River. Construction was completed in 1923 and was built mainly for irrigation purposes. The dam wall is 17 metres high and the dam is a bit over 1.1 kilometres in length.
Due to its close proximity to Pretoria, it is a fairly popular fishing spot. The southern shore is better than the northern shore for fishing, but the reeds and other obstacles mean that you will be snagging various objects and having to break your line. The fish that you may catch here include Largemouth Bass, Carp and barbel. Generally, the fishing is frustrating and not too productive.
It is not a great birding spot, but birders will find a range of the more common waterbirds. A checklist of some of the species is shown below.
There is an entry fee applicable for access to the dam by vehicle, but you can park in the restaurant parking area and walk less than 50 metres to the water’s edge.
Above - View from the restaurant
Photo © Steven Herbert
Birds of Bon Accord Dam
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Fulvous Duck
White-backed Duck
Cape Teal
Mallard
Hottentot Teal
Southern Pochard
African Purple Swamphen
African Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Little Stint
African Jacana
Black-winged Stilt
Grey-headed Gull
Caspian Tern
White-winged Tern
Great Crested Grebe
Yellow-billed Egret
Goliath Heron
Squacco Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Little Bittern