Modderfontein village was established in 1894 to meet the needs of the growing gold mining industry. With the advent of underground mining, there was a need to manufacture and sell dynamite.  The Modderfontein Dynamite Factory was built as it was far enough away from the mining hub to allay people´s fears around the manufacture of explosives.

The original factory was built by Germans, and immigrants were recruited from all over Europe. This gave rise to villages which sprung up around the factory that were named after their countries of origin, such as Dutch Village and Italian village.

On the last Saturday of every month, there is a Farmers Market in the grounds of Oakes Coffee Shop on the High Street in Modderfontein Village.feauring Art & Craftworks, Books, Jewlery, Award winning Cheeses, Fresh baked bread and cakes, Farm fresh vegetables and others.

On the third Sunday of each month at the Modderfontein Club grounds located at the top of High Street, the Piston Ring meets.  This the largest car club of its type in South Africa with over 850 members, and is affiliated to the South African Vintage and Veteran Association.  200-300 cars are on display and therer are many experts to talk to regarding acquiring a vintage or classic car.

The Modderfontein Nature Reserve is a natural treasure in the heart of Gauteng Province. When the Modderfontein explosives factory on the outskirts of Edenvale still made dynamite, there was a buffer of almost 1000ha of empty land around it, in case of accidental explosions. The 275ha reserve was established in 1988 by AECI and only opened to the public in September of 2012.

As the second-largest privately owned nature reserve in Gauteng, it provides invaluable habitat to hundreds of bird, plant and animal species. These include the black-backed jackal, Cape clawless otter, four different kinds of mongoose, and the elusive duiker, amongst others. The spotted-necked otter can also be found here, which is significant as it is a near-threatened species.

The birdlife here is especially impressive. There are more than 250 recorded species on the reserve,  Some of these are the fish eagle, black swan, jackal buzzard, sacred ibis, little grebe, crimson-breasted shrike, various herons, Verreaux’s eagle, long-crested eagle, African spoonbill, fiery-necked nightjar, barn owl, goshawk, marsh owl, blue, and plenty of other exciting species.

Guided walks are conducted by the Modderfontein Conservation Society’s knowledgeable guides, lasting 2-2½ hours every Tue, 2nd Sat & last Sun of the month

There are various trails through this nature reserve that are fabulous for hiking and cycling.  Locals and visitors are also invited to participate a weekly park run at the Reserve. The run is five kilometers long and is free of charge. This initiative helps to raise awareness of this beautiful nature reserve, and invites folks to be a part of its unspoilt loveliness while engaging with fellow runners and walkers.

There are a number of heritage buildings and museums on the reserve and include the Modderfontein Dynamite Company Museum and the Stone Barn.  At the heart of the reserve is “Isidleke” which means “the nest” in isiZulu. It comprises: the restored Stone Barn, built in 1900 by Randlord, Sir Alfred Beit, and used to stage carriages and horses; the restored Dobb’s House, the old estate manager’s house built in 1934; and the remains of Sir Alfred Beit’s hunting lodge.

This reserve is only 20 minutes’ drive from the OR Tambo International Airport, as well as Sandton and its many malls and office blocks.

The Val Bonne Country Estate is on the Reserve.

The Modderfontein Golf Club is a Top 100 club in South Africa, rated by Golfers Digest. Facilities at the Golf Club are excellent and the popular course see’s in excess of 40 000 rounds of golf annually. Established and opened in 1935 by late South African golfing legend Bobby Locke, Modderfontein has of course undergone certain upgrades and restorations – the biggest of which was the entire reconstruction of the clubhouse in 1997.  The course was designed by Hugh Biaocchi.