PLACE OF INTEREST ON ROUTE:

Tzaneen: Colourful market town in the lush lowveld with a wide range of shops and innumerable roadside stalls selling an amazing array of locally grown tropical fruits and nuts. Excellent Museum next to the Library.

Commonwealth Plantation: Situated next Sapekoe=s Middelkop Tea Estate just off the R71 about 7km before the Tzaneen / Duiwelskloof junction. Here there is magnificent eucalyptus, now over 55m in height, which were planted in 1914 and Adedicated@ to the Commonwealth Forestry Commission when their annual conference was held in South African in 1939.

Sapekoe Tea Estates: Extensive tea estates established in 1963. The name comes from the Chinese word A Pekoe@ that means tea. Tours of the estates and factory followed by a freshly brewed cup of tea and the opportunity to by tea (gift packs are available). Phone (0152) 307 3120 for details of tours and bookings.

Magoebaskloof: 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 Centre). A viewpoint and picnic site is situated on the road beside the pass.

Haenertsburg: Capital of the ALand of the Silver Mist@, just off R71 between Pietersburg and Tzaneen. This is an attractive village in a beautiful mountain setting with a craft shop, stained glass studio, 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. The International Arboretum in the AMarket Square@ boasts over 400 trees from the five continents. See page 18 for more information about the village.

John Buchan Memorial: This famous Scots writer once lived near the present Magoebaskloof Hotel and his book APrester John@ was inspired by the area. His memorial is to be found overlooking the splendid view of Ebenezer Dam, 5 km 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 sundowner cruises are idyllic. Boating and sailing enthusiasts should contact the Power Boat Club or the Mountain Yacht Club. For more details phone (0152) 276 4200 or (0152) 276 4200 & 276 2321.

River Capture Site: A site of ancient piracy where the Letaba river eroded through the hills and captured the headwaters of the Mohlapitse. This left the source of the Mohalapitse as a somewhat soggy and confused area, which has since been turned into a dam with a dam wall at each end! This site can be seen if one takes the unmarked gravel road to the right, 9km down the George=s Valley road after leaving Haenertsburg.

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