WATER & WOODLANDS TOUR
Route:
Places of interest en route:
Haenertsburg:
Capital of the "Land of the Silver Mist", just off the R71 between Pietersburg and Tzaneen. This is an attractive village in a beautiful mountain setting with craft shops, stained glass studio, tea gardens, restaurant, pub and several excellent nurseries nearby. It is renowned for its glorious profusion of flowering cherries and azaleas in the spring and the Cherry Blossom Festival in late September and early October has become an annual pilgrimage for tourists.John Buchan Memorial:
This famous Scots writer once lived near the present Magoebaskloof Hotel and his book "Prester John" was inspired by the area. His Memorial is to be found overlooking the splendid view of the Ebenezer Dam, 5km down the George's Valley Road.Ebenezer Dam:
Beautifully situated beneath the Wolkberg Mountains, this large bilharzia free dam is the perfect place for scenic drives, gentle strolls, picnics, fishing - and the sundowner cruises are idyllic. Boating and sailing enthusiasts should contact the PowerBoat Club or the Mountain Yacht Club. For more details phone (015) 276 4200Magoebaskloof:
This steep, winding, deeply forested pass on the R71 between Pietersburg and Tzaneen was named after Makgoba, Chief of the Tlou tribe who repeatedly attacked the early white settlers in the area and was finally tracked down and beheaded in 1895 by a Swazi impi under the control of Abel Erasmus (see display in Haenertsburg Community Center). A viewpoint and picnic site is situated on the road beside the pass.Debengeni waterfall:
Spectacular waterfall tumbling down into a series of natural swimming pools. Attractive picnic and braai site under the canopy of the shady forest makes this an ideal place to spend a day with the whole family. N.B. Sliding down the wet rocks is extremely dangerous. Access from the R71. Follow the signs along 5km of winding gravel road.Woodbush forest:
The largest area of indigenous forest in the Transvaal over 40 species of indigenous trees - every fern filled gully and towering yellowwood should be savored. The only recorded sightings of the black fronted bush shrike in South Africa have been made in the Woodbush Forest.O'Connor Memorial:
On the road to the Woodbush Forest Drive, at the end of an avenue of enormous Blue gum trees planted by Alexander James O'Conner himself.