Magoebaskloof Activities
The Magoebaskloof/Haenertsburg area is ideal for adrenaline junkies. You will not go home disappointed!!
Tourism Magoebaskloof Mountain Biking trails - Route Descriptions
Stanford Lake/ Ebenezer Dam (Blue)
This 5.3km route is suitable for families with young children. It follows the edge of Stanford Lake and Ebenezer Dam on well used roads and is fairly flat. It can be extended by 3km by following the road along Ebenezer dam further and returning the same way. It can be accessed from Stanford Lake Lodge.
See Map
Cheerio/Sequoia (Orange)
This 5km route is suitable for families. It passes through the pine plantations, avo orchards and the beautiful gardens of Cheerio and Sequoia along grass paths and roads. The climb to the top of the hill is made worth the effort by the spectacular views of the Wolkberg and Cheerio Valley. It can be accessed from Cheerio Trout Lodge, Sequoia and Cheerio Gardens.
See Map
Magoebaskloof Adventures (Black)
This 10km route is for very experienced mountain bikers. 5km of technical single track hug the contours of the Letaba Gorge through riverine forest. A steep climb gives spectacular views of Georges Valley before a steep descent back to the start. It can be accessed from Magoebaskloof Adventures.
See Map
Cheerio/ Sequoia/Bramasole/ Stanford Lake College (Green)
This 25km route is suitable for experienced riders and weekend warriors who want to test their strength and stamina. It follows roads through plantations, gardens and natural forest, passed secluded dams and babbling streams. The climbs are steep and long but the views from the top over the Ebenezer dam towards the Wolkberg make it all worthwhile. It can be accessed from Cheerio Gardens, Cheerio Trout Lodge, Sequoia, Bramasole and Zwakala.
See Map
Ebenezer/ Broederstroom (Yellow)
This 20 km route is suitable for most riders. It follows the Blue route before branching off up a long climb to cross the R71. It then follows the Broederstroom on flat but sometimes grassy roads towards Cheerio. The valley has abundant bird life and the constant babble of the river is energizing. Climb out of the valley to the Cheerio Road and through pine plantations before crossing the R71 . It can be accessed directly from Stanford Lake Lodge and directly from Cheerio Trout Fishing and Holiday Resort and Cheerio Gardens by following the green route until reaching the Cheerio (L) Road and picking up the route just before the R71. Follow the green and yellow signs until they split with Green going left and yellow right.
Yellow + Green
To ride a 45km route, start from Stanford Lake Lodge and follow the yellow route. On the Cheerio Road the yellow and green routes link. Follow the Green route from here. Once you return to the link, follow the yellow route back to the start.
See Map
Information:
Jane Allison 083 442 7429
jane@thabametsi.com
Adventure activities
Do you know what its like to stand on a precipice, 10 meters high, water crashing to the depths below, cool fresh spray on your face, and a rainbow almost within reach. Then to jump from the top of a waterfall, adrenaline pumping, heart stopping in that split-second before you break the water and emerge feeling utterly refreshed and alive. Magoebaskloof Adventures uncovered this well-guarded secret and wants to share it with everyone!
Maybe you've experienced something like it before, but very few people know that "kloofing (canyoning)" is one of many exciting adventure experiences, that anyone can enjoy in previously unexplored Limpopo territory the spectacular Letaba River Gorge.
Situated on the Georges Valley Road, Magoebaskloof Adventures makes use of the areas untapped natural resources to offer the half-day kloofing trip down the Letaba River. Its one half day in your life that will give you the adrenaline rush you need to face another hectic week. Not for the feint of heart, but promises to be an exhilarating experience.
Other activities:
• Abseil 30 metres down a smooth rock face into the majestic George's Valley gorge, landing in the Groot Letaba River.
• The guided quad biking adventure takes you on a specially made quad biking trail through the indigenous forests along the Groot Letaba River and over the mountain overlooking the scenic Magoebaskloof.
• Experience the thrill of sliding through the forest on a 2 ½ hour Tarzan and Jane style adventure! The Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour takes people up into an inaccessible realm of nature whereby platforms built high within the upper level of indigenous forests or against the cliffs of ancient mountains are joined by spectacular 'foefie' type cable slides high above the forest floor and breathtaking waterfalls
• The gecko-tubing trip starts deep in the gorge at the beginning of the Groot Letaba Riv
er and takes you through tranquil crystal clear waters with breathtaking views.
• Kloofing in the scenic George's Valley gorge is for the more adventurous! Explore, float and swim down sections of peaceful water as well as experience bum sliding, rock hopping, hiking, abseiling and waterfall jumping into breathtaking pools!
• Our paint ball course is situated in the sun-shafted glades of the beautiful indigenous forest. Overalls, guns, masks, gas and bullets supplied
• Biking enthusiasts - bring your own 2 wheeler bikes for some challenging rocky mountain passes, sandy
river beds and beautiful
river crossings!
• Test your skills with the 15m climbing wall. Fun for the whole family.
• Team building for Corporate Groups and School groups also offered, packages designed to suit your requirements. Contact Magoebaskloof Adventures: 083 866 1546
Hiking in the Wolkberg
Lying just off the R71 outside Haenertsburg where the Drakensberg meets the
Strydpoort Mountains is the Wolkberg Wilderness Area, a huge unspoiled natural area where hikers can walk and hike at their own risk. There are no marked trails and hikers can choose their own route and the number of days they spend with their backpacks and camera.
It is not wise to set out on your own in this wild and awe-inspiring mountain wilderness and hikers are strongly advised to hike in parties of two and more.
The remoteness and the sheer splendor of the krantzes, kloofs and challenging streams with densely forested ravines and magnificent scenery makes this an incredibly tough area. Weather changes within minutes, quartzitic cliffs like the Serala, Steilkop and Tandberg (sometimes called the knuckles or the apostles) are an exertion for even fit hikers. And if you’re venturing onto the route from the Serala plateau over Kruger se Neus, through Wonderwoud Forest, then you’ll need rock climbing skills to boot! Make sure that you always have a jacket with you.
Louis Changuion Hiking trail- Haenertsburg Village
Located in one of South Africa’s most threatened vegetation types, the Louis Changuion hiking trail takes walkers through Woodbush Granite Grasslands and patches of indigenous forest. The trail has been in existence for over a decade but fell into disuse as the vegetation grows over the path very quickly.Local residents have taken the initiative to maintain the trail and raise awareness of the importance of grasslands. Colourful booklets on medicinal plants, insects and threatened animals in the area are available for purchase at The Pennefather, Appelgrange, Picasso’s, The Elms Gift Shop, Greenwoods Trading or the Morning Market in Haenertsburg. All proceeds are used to clear the hiking trail, remove alien plants and improve the awareness of the grassland.
The trail is 10km long, and usually takes about four hours to complete. It travels through natural grassland and indigenous forest where many endemic and threatened plants occur. A short cut can be taken just before Jan’s Knoll and care must be taken in wet weather as surfaces become slippery. Ensure that you take drinking water. Please be warned that grassland fires can be disastrous in this area. Consequently smoking and the lighting of fires are strictly prohibited.
Botanist Pieter Winter has compiled a list of over 630 plants in this area. Blue Swallows, Methuen’s Dwarf Gecko and the Wolkberg Zulu Butterfly have been glimpsed along the trail. Hikers are afforded a view of the Wolkberg Wilderness area, Ebenezer Dam and the Iron Crown, and can enjoy a snack at any one of three cosy picnic spots. Two natural springs and a brook are also to be seen en route, along with some rhino rubbing rocks. One can also “hug” one of the oldest rock formations in the world along the trail as boulders of greenstone, dating back to 3 200 million years old are common.
Lesodi Hiking Trail
The Lesodi trail winds its way very gently through the indigenous forest of Magoebaskloof and is a medium to difficult trail but is well marked and maintained. It starts across the road from Sandford Heights Nursery and next to Magoebaskloof Hotel. Maps are available from both these venues and some of the points of interest on the trail are:
The cathedral Tree - this is a strangler vine which straddled several trees and now reminds one of a cathedral vault. Saw pit - 19th century woodcutters dug a pit beneath large felled trees so they could saw them into planks with one person below and one person on top. The nose - a ridge jutting out between two river valleys. Braai facilities have been installed in the area. If you want to use them, please bring your own wood -leave the forest intact! The Pipe- a strangler vine where its tree victim has died and rotted away leaving only the tube formed by the vine. The knoll- this is an unexpected hill in the middle of the Magoebaskloof. Enjoy the magnificent view both back towards the hotel and down the valley to the Tzaneen Dam.
Birds and animals on the trail include the Knysna Loerie with it’s distinctive croaking call. It is a shy bird that glides from one tree to another, then climbs up for the next flight. You have a good chance of spotting one of you are still and quiet. There is a troupe of Samango monkeys in the forest. At certain times of the year, when food is available, the rare Cape Parrot will be seen and heard in this area. Their call is a distinctive shriek and they fly in flocks of 20 or more. But come and look for yourself and experience the freshness of mountain air in our forests. Maps available at Sandford Heights Nursery and Magoebaskloof Hotel
Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail
Magoebaskloof hiking trail is a 50 kilometre circular trail over three days through extensive indigenous forest, sparkling mountain streams and pine plantations. One can choose from several hike duration options that range from two to five days. The trail takes in some awe-inspiring scenery and some things extra-ordinary, such as the ‘huilklip’ - a natural rock that sounds like a gong when it is struck with a stone, samango monkeys, bushbuck, bush pigs and an extensive number of birds, particularly in the Grootbosch forest.
Contact details: Tel: (013)754 2724 – Fax: (013) 754 2790
ecotour@klf.co.za www.komatiecotourism.co.za
Other shorter walks
There are many short walks available at the various establishments on the Mountain. At Wegraakbosch Organic Dairy you can take short walks in their indigenous forest after your cheese tour and Black Forest Mountain Lodge also offers lovely walks on their property. The Growth Centre is an ideal walking hot spot for meditative walks.
Two forest areas in the Magoebaskloof area that hold some incredible birding opportunities are the enormous Woodbush - one of the best places in the country to see the black-front bush shrike - and the small Swartbos forests.
Good birding areas:
Woodbush Drive
This 14km dirt road is the best forest birding area in the Limpopo Province, if not the country. The Woodbush Forest Drive winds through pristine afro-montane forests, down into semi-deciduous mixed forest along the lower sections of the drive. Cape Parrot, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Orange Ground-Thrush, Brown Scrub-Robin, Grey Cuckooshrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher are simply a few of the specials to be seen on this road. Also look out for African Cuckoo Hawk, Crowned Eagle and African Goshawk. Towards the bottom of the Forest Drive, where the telephone lines cross the road, look out for Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, which has been sighted there on a few occasions. The beautiful Debengeni Waterfalls are also accessible from this road — (see the Debengeni Falls site description). A high-clearance vehicle is recommended and a 4-wheel drive vehicle would be needed in wet weather. Directions: To reach Woodbush Forest Drive, take the R71 from Polokwane past Haenertsburg. About 2km past the Magoebaskloof Hotel, turn to the left onto the gravel road to Houtbosdorp/Woodbush. After 2.5km take the right fork to the Woodbush Forest Reserve, which passes through stone gateposts. 200 metres after passing the hikers´ huts (2.1km past the previous junction), turn right onto the Woodbush Forest Drive. This road can be birded for about 13km. There are two forks along this road: at the first, stay left and at the second, take the right fork.
Debengeni Falls
This spectacular waterfall is a popular picnic site for locals and visitors to the area. Grey Wagtail has been sighted here for three years running (2002 to 2004). Even if this special is not there, it is worth visiting the Debengeni Falls, to see Mountain Wagtail and other forest birds. After turning off onto the dirt road from the R71, keep a lookout for Red-backed Mannikin, African Firefinch and Sweet Waxbill on the road verges. After about 100m you will cross a small stream; when the water levels are high this is a good spot for Half-collared Kingfisher and African Finfoot. On the 3km drive up to the falls look out for Tambourine and Lemon Dove, Chorister Robin-Chat, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher and Yellow-streaked Greenbul in the forests. Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk breed in the vicinity of the falls and Buff-spotted Flufftail and Scaly-throated Honeyguide are often heard calling in the area. There are picnic facilities and short walking trails along the river. A note of caution: below the falls, the large smooth rock surfaces can be dangerous to walk on, particularly when they are wet. There is an entrance fee in the region of R10/person. Directions: If travelling in an easterly direction on the R71, the turnoff to the falls and the Woodbush forest drive is on the left, 12km from the Magoebaskloof Hotel. The entrance point to the falls is a further 3 km up the dirt road.
Kudu´s Valley
This spectacular 30 km dirt road between Houtbosdorp and Mooketsi drops down over the escarpment through bush veld and riverine habitats. On this road, you will descend about 1000 metres and be treated to fantastic views and an interesting mix of habitats. Verreaux´s, Crowned and Long-crested Eagle, Lanner Falcon as well as Horus, Alpine and African Black Swift are often sighted soaring over the valley. The exposed granite boulders along the slopes near the top of the route are home to Cape Rock Thrush, Mocking Cliff Chat, Olive Bush-Shrike, Shelley´s Francolin and Lazy Cisticola. The lower end of the pass has more riverine and tropical bush veld areas in which African Green-Pigeon, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike, Purple-crested Turaco, Green-capped Eremomela and White-throated Robin-Chat can be seen. Look out for African Fish Eagle, Great Egret, Purple Heron and various Indigobird and Firefinch species around the farm dams near the bottom of the route. Directions: From Polokwane follow the R71 and after approximately 20 km´s, take the slip way to the left at the first traffic light to the University of Limpopo. Continue on this road past Mankweng and then past the University for 27km’s until the tar road ends. Start birding here: follow the dirt road down the escarpment to Mooketsi. If travelling from Polokwane on the R81, 19km after Munnik you will reach Mooketsi, continue past the filling station and shop towards Duiwelskloof/Modjadjiskloof and immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right to Houtbosdorp on the Kudu´s Valley dirt road. If you are coming from the Duiwelskloof/Modjadjiskloof direction then you will turn left to Houtbosdorp, just before Mooketsi and the bridge.
Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge
This Birdlife-SA accredited ´Birder-friendly establishment´ is situated on a 422-hectare farm, which straddles the Woodbush forest and the Bush veld habitats on the Northern Drakensburg escarpment. Kurisa Moya boasts excellent birding on site, including 7 species of Robin including White-starred and Chorister. Mos
t notable are 5 Bush-Shrikes, with Black-fronted heading up the list. In this spectacular indigenous forest, other specials include the Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot, Grey Cuckooshrike, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Yellow-streaked Greenbul. The Bushveld areas have a range of cisticolas and warblers and the montane area is home to Gurney´s Sugarbird. Raptors include Rufous-chested and Black Sparrowhawk. Eight self-guided trails take birders through all five habitats and David Letsoalo, resident Birdlife-SA accredited guide, takes walks on the farm or excursions to Bat Hawk and Cape Parrot sites. Lisa, Martus and accredited bird guide David Letsoalo are experienced birders, and can provide comprehensive bird lists and early catering. Accommodation consists of two stilted log cabins in the indigenous forest; a luxury farmhouse for groups or a stone cottage with views that take your breath away. Camping is also an option and day visitors are welcome by prior arrangement. The lodge also offers massages, fly-fishing lessons, abseiling and sunset 4x4 drives. This electricity-free eco-lodge ensures
privacy and a great birding experience.
Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve
This reserve on the escarpment of the Drakensberg, between Tzaneen and the Able Erasmus pass, has spectacular forest and rolling grasslands. There are historical records of Blue Swallows in the grassland, and this is a good site to see Black Saw-wing Swallow and other montane grassland species like Wing-snapping; Croaking and Wailing Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, Cape Rock Thrush, Buff-Streaked Chat, Broadtailed Warbler and Malachite Sunbird. The forested gorges hold Cape Parrot, Red-capped Robin Chat, White-starred Robin, African Emerald Cuckoo and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler to mention a few. The Reserve has various cottages that can be rented out and there is also a camp site.
Louis Changuion Trail & Haenertsburg Grasslands
This scenic trail starts in the village of Haenertsburg and winds through 200 hectares of protected afro-montane grasslands with forest patches situated above the village. The whole trail is 10 km but various parts of the trail can be done separately depending on your fitness level and enthusiasm. It is one of the most easily-accessible pieces of this rare habitat left in the area. Blue Swallows have been encountered here in the past. On the grasslands, you may find Wailing-, Lazy-, Croaking-, Cloud- and Wing-snapping Cisticola. Grass Owl, White-necked Raven, Red-winged Francolin, Yellow Bishop, Dark-capped Yellow and Broad-tailed Warbler and Drakensberg Prinia are present as well as Cape Grassbird. Jackal Buzzard, and Long-crested Eagle often hunt over the grassland. The patches of forest have Olive Bush-Shrike, African Olive-Pigeon, Cape Batis, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Forest Canary in them. The trail starts at the Haenertsburg Village Hall (in the main road) — follow the yellow markers or the map that is available at The Elms restaurant. For the less energetic, a drive up to the village cemetery (surely the most scenic in the country) will take you into the centre of the grassland. Ask at the Tourism office or any of the businesses in the village how to get there. While in the village, visit the Termite House, which displays grassland habitats and acts as an environmental education centre.
Haenertsburg Trout Association
The history of HTA dates back to 1905-6 when enthusiastic locals first stocked the waters around Haenertsburg with trout. To give them some semblance of respectability, they decided to become the local branch of the Transvaal Trout Acclimatization Society based in Johannesburg. In 1911, the Johannesburg contingent suspended activities and informed the local Haenertsburg branch that they would have to "go it alone" if they wanted to keep functioning.
A meeting was called on the 9th December 1911 at the Haenertsburg Hotel where the foundations for our present HTA were laid. Sir. Lionel Phillips was elected President and Mr. Stanford, Chairman. On the 9th January 1912, another meeting was held at which the name Haenertsburg Trout Society was adopted and the rules were drafted. Sometime during the next fifteen years, the name changed to the Haenertsburg Trout Association.
Popular fishing spots were Stanford Lake and the three waterfalls found below the Lake, the Broederstroom and the Helpmekaar rivers.
In 1940, the Helpmekaar river was dammed and Troutbeck Lake was formed (Lakeside). The wetlands surrounding Lakeside were proclaimed a Nature Reserve and placed under the care of HTA. In 1956, an agreement with the Pietersburg Municipality (now called Polokwane Muncipality) gave HTA control over the newly completed Swallow Falls Dam (Dap Naude). In 1966, the Association took over the lease of the Iron Crown Sailing Club facilities on Ebenezer Dam which then became our Club and Hatchery.
We have, over the years, negotiated leases to many streams and dams in the mountains around Haenertsburg, the Bergplaas stretch of the Letaba River.
Facilities at the Club:
• Five Rondawels each with two beds and one double bunk with mattresses, table and four chairs, wash basin with cold running water.
• Ablution blocks with flush toilets and hot showers.
• Eight camping/caravan sites.
• Recreation area – Clubhouse.
• Deep freezers, tables and chairs in main clubhouse.
• Launching facilities for boats.
All enquiries, bookings and cancellations at 015 276 4765
All venues; no fires, no camping, please take litter out. Fly fishing equipment only. Lock all gates. Please make sure to read the information signs at each venue as the rules change from time to time.
NO SPINNERS OR ARTIFICIAL LURES ALLOWED ON ANY WATERS EXCEPT EBENEZER DAM
Stll Waters
Dams
Dap Naude' Dam - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• No booking, first come first served.
• No rowing boats ; members may supply their own water craft.
• Persons in boats to supply own life jackets and wear them. Electric motors may be used for movement from one spot to another, no trolling.
• All persons to be out of the forestry area before dark.
• No fishing between the dam wall and the first bridge below the wall. The water level can change suddenly when water is released from the dam.
• No fishing in the feeder stream at the top end of the dam.
Lakeside and Stanford Lake - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
Visitors may purchase a permit to fish Stanford Lake on their own. On Lakeside or any other water controlled by the HTA apart from Townbeat, visitors must be in the company of a member of good standing and be in possession of a relevant permit purchased from the booking office.
• Book the waters.
• Rowing boats with oars provided. The oar lockers to be kept locked at all times.
• Maximum of six rods at any time.
• No motors allowed. No sailboards. Kick boats, float tubes, private rowing boats and canoes allowed.
• Vehicles to park in the designated area.
Diepgelegen (Gael Evans) - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Book the waters.
• Maximum three rods at any time, two may be guests. No boats, float tubes, kick boats, rafts or any type of water craft.
• Catch and release trophy sized fish.
• Four wheel drive vehicles in rainy season.
Dodingtons Weir - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Book the waters. Three rods per day, at least one must be a member.
• Boat provided. Float tubes, kick boats and canoes allowed.
• Bag limit two fish per day. Brown trout to be returned. Take bass out!
• Four wheel drive vehicles in rainy season.
Bellerieve Dam - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Book the waters.
• No boats allowed . Float tubes, canoes and kick boats allowed.
• Three rods per day, at least one must be a member.
• Bag limit of two fish per day.
• Four wheel drive vehicles in rainy season.
Rondefontein Dam - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Book the waters.
• Club boats at dam. Float tubes, canoes and kick boats allowed.
• Catch and release trophy sized fish.
• Three rods per day, at least one must be a member.
Bramasole Dam - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Float tubes, canoes and kick boats allowed.
• Book the waters.
• Three rods per day, at least one must be a member.
• Catch and release trophy sized fish.
Goedehoop Dam - bag limit 2 fish, no Brown Trout may be kept.
• Book the waters.
• Float tubes, canoes and kick boats allowed.
• Three rods per day, at least one must be a member.
Ebenezer Dam
• This water is open to all and sundry and consequently gets hammered by spin and lure fishermen who catch lots of bass and anything else around (hopefully themselves too). There are both large and small mouth bass, bream (red breast, vlei, dwarf,), carp, barbel and trout in the dam. The trout are few and far between but those caught are invariably quite large. The trout seem to disappear in the summer months only to make their presence felt in dead of winter. Good spots are the Gully at the hatchery and the Stanford waterfall.
Rivers
Goedvertrouen, Kromdraai, Bergplaas, stream below Dap Naude Dam.
• Park in the designated area.
• Maximum of three rods per day allowed, one must be a member.
• Book the waters.
• Leave water before dark.
• Bag limit 2 fish, practice catch and release.
• Due to fire risk, the rivers may be closed from time to time.
Bookings 015 276 4765/084 955 6779
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Lovers of this exciting sport will not go home disappointed. There are lots of opportunities for lovers of this exciting outdoor sport in this area.
Silver mist Resort will take you game viewing on the back of well bred Egyptian Arabian Horses. When you enter the gates at Silver Mist Resort, you are entering an idyllic environment where you can truly interact with nature. To enhance the tranquillity, guests are woken by the clock of nature as the abundant bird life breaks into morning song. The sun spreads its mellow gold over the mirror surface of the trout dams and breaks through the silver morning mists, casting a magical glow over the forests. Mid morning brings the cry of the fish eagles as they fly down from the forests to hunt.
This is the home of highly bred Arabian Egyptian horses where guests can view the abundance of game on horseback. Take a guided quad bike ride through the kiwi and avocado forests and the game farm, book a game drive, fish for bass or trout, braai on the patio of your luxury chalet, take a walk or cycle through the forest or simply just relax. Day visitors are welcome to participate in the activities, fish for the day or enjoy a picnic next to the trout dams.
Recently refurbished Silver Mist Resort is managed by Christo Scheepers and Rhina Langenhoven, two long distance endurance horse riders with an impressive record of total kilometres and wins.
Christo trains the Arabian Egyptian and Straight Egyptian horses in the world renowned Al-Miqdad Arabian stud situated at the Resort.
Queries for
activities can be directed to
Christo at 073 247 9086 and for accommodation contact either Hajra at 082 083 7083 or Rhina at 073 517 3343 |
Website: www.silvermistresort.co.za
E-mail: silvermistresort@yahoo.com
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