THE BEAUTY OF THE MAGALIESBURG VALLEY

 Take a leisurely drive westward from the bustle of Johannesburg or Pretoria and within an hour you will discover a place that will enchant you. Magaliesburg. This small village lies at the heart of a beautiful region of mountains, valleys, rivers and indigenous woodland - home to a variety of birds. But it is not all natural bushveld. Here you will also find a wealth of hospitality - country guest houses, hotels, lodges, stores, art and craft studios, working farms, horse and mountain bike trails and much more.   

The village of Magaliesburg, lies just below the Southern Range of the Magaliesburg Mountains. The roads and rivers take similar paths, breaking though the steep ridges of the mountains in a few places, only to traverse much of the land along the valleys on either side of the two mountain ridges.

The reality of Magaliesburg belies its languid village ambience. There are many places to visit and things to do in the region. A variety of accommodation and a host of fascinating people await you. Whatever your interest, you will find something to delight you as you travel the roads and experience the environment.

Magaliesburg is a tranquil haven of tourist attractions, with a number and variety of hospitality venues, where every human being descendant of the earliest species of mankind, is welcome to come back “home” and rest a while. To soak in the peaceful atmosphere and relax in our paradise.

VISITING OUDSHOORN

On entering the town of Oudshoorn you are welcomed by hundreds of ostrich farms as far as the eye can see. The area is dry but possesses a certain inviting atmosphere. Oudtshoorn is enchanting with lots of old Victorian homes, gorgeous gables and antique stores. Oudtshoorn certainly took us back in time where ox wagons were the means of transport and the women wore rather warm dresses. Here in Oudtshoorn you will get the sense that this is a community where everyone knows everybody else’s business. A small town like this is all about friendship, family and living together as one big community.

The climate in this Region is incredibly warm and dry. Even so, Oudtshoorn surprisingly boasts a few fantastic wine farms including Boplaas. On arrival at these wine farms, you'll be welcomed with dried and sweetened fruit pieces which are very popular in this area. The people here are always very hospitable.

You can explore The Cango Caves, Crocodile farm, Ostrich farm and the Cango Wildlife Reserve. The Cango Caves is truly a marvel! It lies in the Swartberg Mountain range, which is a Heritage Site. The Cango Caves are situated in a lime stone belt measuring 1.5km in width and almost 16km in length. The Cango Caves were originally inhabited by the Khoisan peoples thousands of years ago. It is a truly mystical place. Only the main section is open to the public in order to preserve the majestic formations.

Your trip to Oudtshoorn will definitely be a memorable one guaranteed. Outshoorn may be small and quaint, but it is certainly a worthwhile destination.

WINTER HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

The KwaZulu-Natal coast is renowned for its mild, sunny winters and temperate climate. Wouldn't you rather be lying on a beach in the low-20 degrees celcius than waking up to frost in the Highveld, or cold rain in the Cape? There is plenty of activity in Durban to keep everyone busy and a highlight is the uShaka Marine World, Africa’s largest Marine Theme park where you can go snorkeling with a variety of marine life and have fun on the water slides. The kids will love it! Then there are the surfing spots both along the Dolphin Coast (north) and the Hibiscus Coast (south). The sub-tropical climate and warm ocean currents guarantee a chill free getaway. Why not try Umhlanga, Umdloti, Ballito or Shelly Beach?


Another firm favourite for a warm winter getaway is game viewing in the Lowveld. Not only are temperatures very mild and extremely pleasant in the northern parts of South Africa, but also because the grass is lower in winter, you are guaranteed to spot more game and a greater variety of species. Go an incredible night game drive with an experienced ranger and see the famous Big Five and loads of other African wildlife at game reserves and national parks across Mpumalanga and Limpopo. High on your list should be the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the Marakele National Park.

Lying in the subtropics means that Tzaneen and its surrounds has very agreeable winter weather, making it a great winter destination. Relatively close to the major centres of Gauteng makes getting to this part of Limpopo a breeze. A highlight of a trip to Tzaneen is visiting one of the oldest monarchs on the planet - a 6,000-year old baobab tree with an astounding circumference of 46,8m. That's massive! To see this marvel of nature get to Sunland Nursery located between Duiwelskloof and Ga-Kgapane. This are of Limpop is also well-regarded for its history and cultural legacy and there is still evidence of cultures that go back thousands of years at places like Magoebaskloof. Enjoy this land of contrasts at any time time of the year, but remember that the mild cooler months are perfect for that well deserved mid-winter break.

EXPORE THE ANCIENT AFRICAN IVORY ROUTE...

Named for the majestic animals that have occupied the area for thousands of years, the African Ivory Route stretches over fifty-four nature reserves, crossing mountains and wide open plains, and incorporating the ancient Mapungubwe archaeological site. The African Ivory Route links to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Project, which promotes the idea that wildlife should be free to follow age-old migratory routes between South Africa and neighboring Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Certainly, the route offers travelers with an adventurous spirit the opportunity to explore some of South Africa's finest bushveld, with the option of including aspects of the region's fascinating history, archeology and culture, to the wealth of bird and wildlife found throughout the route.

Visitors can arrange for organized tours, or enjoy a self-drive excursion, bearing in mind that this is 4x4 country, with the emphasis on returning the region to its original wild state, although there are routes which can be traversed with an ordinary vehicle. Simple single tracks wind past traditional villages to safari tented camps, and local communities are being encouraged to protect their natural heritage, while welcoming those who wish to explore it.
A number of different options are available to visitors traveling the African Ivory Route. Those interested in the ancient history of the region can visit the sandstone formations of Makgabeng, with its many archeological sites and internationally recognized rock art at the Bahananwa massive. Cultural experiences include a visit to the Leipzig missionary station, or discovering more about the legendary Rain Queen Modjadji. Natural wonders include the cycad reserve, the Great Letaba River, and the Balena hotspring.
The African Ivory Route offers safari camps and cultural camps, depending on what visitors are looking for. All camps are located in very scenic areas, easy access to the wildlife of the area. By keeping the camps small – each camp accommodates ten people – visitors are assured of all the amenities for a comfortable stay, while at the same time enjoying an authentic bush experience without intruding on the domain of the resident wildlife. All but one of the camps is located in "big five" territory and experienced guides ensure guests make the most of their game-viewing opportunities along the magnificent African Ivory Route.