Attractions Haenertsburg 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 unusual pilgrimage for tourists. Known as the capital of the ''Land of the Silver mist ", this picturesque village lies just off the R71 between Pietersburg (Polokwane) and Tzaneen. The village originated as a gold rush town in 1887 and remains of the old workings can still be seen. Enjoy the spectacular mountain views and the very special serenity found at the hilltop cemetery 1km from the village and well worth the steep drive or climb! The unusual War Memorial and Long Tom Monument commemorate those of all race, colour and creed from the area who gave their lives in various wars over the last century and are dedicated to future peace. The surrounding area is a world of crystal clear mountain air, craggy peaks, tumbling waterfalls tranquil lakes and magnificent indigenous forests. Several hiking trails exist and walking quietly it is possible to see antelope, bush pig, baboons, monkeys or even the rare caracal cat. The bird life is also prolific. Tzaneen The name Tzaneen originated from the word Tsaneng. Oral and written evidence indicate that the area around Piesangkop, Mayland, Hansfontein, and south of Westfalia (Krabbefontein) had been known as Tsaneng since early times, long before any white settlers came to the district. The closest meaning of the name Tsaneng is “come together” or “the place where people gather”. To early German cartographers the sound ts as in Tsaneng, became tz as in Tzaneen. Tzaneen is the second lagest town in the Northern Province and is situated in the foo hills of the impressive Wolkberg (Cloud Mountain), the mountain reaches of the Drakensberg Mountain range. The town is the commercial center for the district with 80 000 people residing in this area of jurisdiction and 650 000 people residing in a 30km radius. Tzaneen is the ideal centre from which to explore the region. Within easy reach, the visitor can find archeological sites, the biggest Boabab tree, wildlife and nature reserves and full range of quality tourism facilities and services, catering for all needs and interests of the visitor. Its unique natural scenery provides the most beautiful background for all the recreational and the tourism products and services in the country. Tzaneen is also a birders paradise! Duiwelskloof Another picturesque village, Duwelskloof lies in a valley with panoramic vistas on the surrounding Wolkberg Mountains. Following rain, the view, the view is crisp and clear but misty days soften the view to a mysterious wonderland of mountains and wilderness. From Duiwelskloof, the visitor is within easy reach of Mooketsi valley (largest tomato production area in the country), the Modjadj Nature Reserve (Containing the largest natural concentration of a single cycad species in the world- Encephalartos transvenosus), the largest Boabab tree in the world (with a pub inside the tree) and the Duiwelskloof Waterfall and picnic site. 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, found refuge in the dense forest valleys of what is now known as Magoebaskloof. He was finally tracked down and beheaded in 1895 by a Swazi impi under the control of Abel Erasmus. George’s Valley Named after George Denys, a relative of Doel Zeederberg, who was captured by the British on 8 April 1902 during the Anglo Boer war. He later returned as a road builder and his obvious care in the alignment and landscaping of the R528 – known today as George’s Valley Road – sets the scene for a beautiful drive through the mountains. The Letaba River flows down the valley and is the main source of water in the Tzaneen Dam. Other places of interest Old Coach Route Hans Merensky Nature reserve Tsonge kraal Museum Leydsdorp Ofcolaco Modjadji Nature Reserve Big Boabab Debegeni Falls Woodbush Forest Reserve River Capture Site Ebenezer Dam Dap Naude Dam Tzaneen Dam Woodbush and De Hoek Forest Areas Rooikat Trail Wolkberg Wilderness Area Haenerstburg Hans Merensky Nature reserve Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve Lesodi Trail Tzaneen Museum John Buchan Memorial and Viewpoint Chief Makgoba Memorial O’Connor Memorial SAPEKOE Tea Estates Commonwealth Plantation