THE GRANDMOTHER MOUNTAINS - MAGALIESBERG

TIME-LINES OF THE PAST WEAVE MAGIC AS WE EXPERIENCE OR HERITAGE IN MAGALIESBURG...

Time and history are etched deep into the kloofs of the Magaliesberg mountains that stretch magestically between Rustenburg and Pretoria. These ancient mountains are the oldest on our planet and have witnessed a history that extends beyond memory: an ancient sea-bed, volcanic upheavals, the birth of prehistoric humans.
A thriving trading culture on the ivory routes between the North and the Cape Colony was centred here. Abundant herds of wildlife roamed these mountains. The number astounded European travellers who told tales of herds of three hundred elephants and antelope too numerous to mention. Many of thesse animals, including the Sable antelope which was previously unknown to the Europeans.

The nineteenth century brought tremendous change in the Magaliesberg. The animals were relentlessly hunted and local people were confronted with a series of violent invasions.

Vincent Carruthers writes in his book The Magaliesberg: "within a single generation the fabric of their society was completely destroyed and their chiefdoms were reduced to poverty and servitude."

And so Magaliesberg also became a place of war. Migrant tribes battled the locals and each other, and the expansionist intentions of the Nguni clans, the Voortrekkers and the British all left their mark.
Graves of Tswana, Boer, Zulu and British scatter the land. Battle sites mix with the stone-age dwellings and rock engravings that hide the koppies. The odd cannon or military outpost lies with baboons and leopards in tyhe rocky crags of the mountains.
Here, too, was the discovery that revealrd the richest gold reef in the world. In the village of Magaliesburg. Blaaubank mine and the ruins of a hotel are the testimony to the early gold rush that began here. The old Blaaubank mountain initiated the gold fever that made Johannesburg the city it is today. This is the northernmost tip of the Witwatersrand Reef and remains relatively unspoiled only because there was so much more gold where Johannesburg is now.

The village of Magaliesburg (spelled differently from that of the mountains - berg meaning mountain burg referring to the citizens or 'burgers' of the area) is about an hours drive from Johannesburg, Pretoria or Rustenburg and prolific with game farms, nature reserves, cottages and guest houses. It is perfectly places to soak up some of the atmosphere at the area.
An easy drive from the village, nearby Maropeng pays homage to our early ancestors and is a part of the Cradle of Humankind, which includes the Sterkfontein and Wonder Caves.for attention on the slopes of these amazing mountains. Drive out for the day or stay a week, Magaliesburg has plenty to offer.
An abundance of natural and human history jostles

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Limpopo is the northern most province in South Africa, bordering onto Moçambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Limpopo offers a mosaic of superb scenic landscape, a fascinating cultural heritage, an abundance of wildlife species and many nature based tourism opportunities.

Limpopo is a land of legends and myths and of ancient civilizations ... Those in search of history will find many places of archaeological significance that yielded relics dating back millions of years.


Region Of Limpopo


The Capricorn region stretches from the Ysterberg, all along the foothills of the lush Wolkberg, to the tropic of Capricorn in the north.

The Waterberg Mountains stretch along more than 5,000 km² of spectacular vistas and scenic valleys. The area is steeped in history and some artefacts found here date back to Stone Age times.

Across the northwest, and framing the northern border of Limpopo lies the Soutpansberg Region.

Travelling east, visitors will discover the rich natural heritage of the Lowveld and the famous  Kruger National Park. This region falls in the valley of the great Olifants River that meanders through the Kruger national Park.

MPUMALANGA - THE PLACE WHERE THE SUN RISES!!

MPUMALANGA - Formally known as Eastern Transvaal, Mpumalanga is considered to be one of the most geographically diverse and unbelievably beautiful places in South Africa.

Mpumalanga lies in the east of South Africa, north of KwaZulu-Natal and bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. In the northeast, the land rises towards mountain peaks and then terminates in an immense escarpment. In some places, this escarpment plunges hundreds of metres down to the low-lying area known as the Lowveld.

People are drawn to Mpumalanga by the magnificent scenery, by the fauna and flora and by the saga of the 1870s gold rush era and a wealth of fascinating tribal legends. Mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterise the landscape. This is also Big Game Country, the setting for dozens of sanctuaries teeming with wildlife and birds. Visit the world’s most famous game reserve, climb the world's third-highest canyon, explore the world's oldest cave and spend the night in the world's best private game lodges.

The entire Mpumalanga area offers exceptional opportunities for bird-watching, hiking, horse-riding and fishing. Streams once panned for gold have become the haunts of eager anglers and lazy trout. Steeped in the history of pioneers, hunters and fortune seekers, fascinating gold rush towns abound. Mpumalanga offers something for everyone.

SOUTH AFRICA & ITS FOOD

Eating and drinking in South Africa is a culinary experience not to be missed. The wide array of cuisine available is overwhelming. From the deliciously diverse flavours of South Africa’s indigenous and multi-cultural rainbow cuisine to culinary specialities from all over the world. Because of this complex diversity it’s difficult to identify the typical south African kitchen or cuisine.
Man’s need for fresh food was once the main reason for the colonization of South Africa, when in 1652 the Cape was used as a refreshment station for passing VOC sailing ships on their arduous journey around the Cape of good Hope.

The early settlers in the Cape were producing a variety of European vegetables and fruit. Most of their cooking was done the Dutch way, in a pot over an open fire. That pot (“potjie” in Afrikaans) is still part of South Africa’s culinary tradition today.

Over the years other cultures like the Malay slaves, the French Huguenots, the Indians the British and many others from all over the world, have been introducing and adding their culinary preferences.

The authentic African kitchen is focused on maize meal porridge, meat and sauce. The sauce is made from a variety of savouries (shebu) and vegetables and flavoured with chilli. Maize meal porridge is the staple food of almost the whole of the African continent.

Umngqusho is said to be Mr. Nelson Mandela’s favourite dish. It is made with "stampmielies" (broken dried maize kernels), sugar beans, butter, onions, potatoes, chillis and lemons, which are allowed to simmer for a long time until all ingredients are tender.

"Afrikaners" are mostly descendents from the original Dutch, French and German settlers, who founded the Cape colony in the 17th century. The cuisine that stands out as typical "Afrikaner", is to a large extend based on the Dutch settlers cuisine, with contributions of the French and German settlers. Add to that a large portion of Malay cooking and temper it all by years of migrating on the Great Trek.

And so we inherited today’s fabulous legacy of "Potjiekos" (potfood), "Braais" (barbecues), "biltong" (spicy dried meat) and "Boerewors" (farmers sausage). Hunting was the order of the day on the Great Trek, to keep the cooking pot filled with meat. Today amongst the "Afrikaners" hunting is still regarded as a must to provide the venison for their delicious game dishes.

Then there is of course our south African barbecue or "braai" as we call it. In south Africa it’s an integral part of our rainbow culture a common element in its cultural diversity, a way of life almost like a national sport. A must for everybody, young or old, poor or wealthy, white or black.

People barbecue weekly, sometimes daily at their homes in their gardens, on campings when on holiday, or any suitable spot in the great outdoors. They “braai” on anything, from state of the art barbecue units to a piece of mesh wire on a few bricks or stones.

The taste and smell of marinated steaks, seasoned pork and lamb chops, spicy spare ribs and kebabs served with “mielie pap” (maize meal porridge), sauce, mushrooms, herbed bread and delicious salads at a South African barbecue, is a culinary experience unequalled in the world.

Like the traditional "braai" (barbecue), "Potjiekos" (pot food) and Biltong are very much a shared taste between all South Africa’s cultures. Right through the country’s history, from the days of the Khoi and the San and the days of the southward Bantu migration to the days of the Great Trek and the Anglo / Boer wars, people were constantly on the move.

Next to grilling, they used to cook meat together with all kinds of vegetables, herbs and spices in one go in clay and later cast-iron pots over open fires. So has the three-legged cast iron pot become an indispensable item in virtually every household, in which to cook delicious meals called "Potjiekos" (pot-food).

South Africa Tours and Travel blog

South Africa Tours and Travel blog

NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

 Those who love the rough and arid countryside of the Northern Cape Province, call it the jewel of South Africa. Looking at it makes one wonder what it is that holds so much fascination for them. But after a while one realizes that there is more than meets the eye and that the first impression of a desolated ancient land only goes surface deep. Northern Province certainly has its own unique attractiveness amid the other South African provinces.

Above the surface the province is home to exciting nature and scenery treasures such as: Vast open plains and rust-red dunes tinted in the golden tones of the sun with roaming herds of antelope, the annual springtime explosion of brilliantly colored flowers in Namaqualand, four of South Africa's 20 national parks featuring a wide range of wild life including the Big 5 and Last but not least the mighty Orange river in the north with its famous Augrabies falls, the world's sixth largest waterfall.


Wildlife tourists, 4 x 4 enthusiasts, divers, river rafters and Hikers will be eager to grasp the chance to discover the unspoilt river, sea and dunes, becoming totally enthralled with the Northern Province in the process.

THIRD LARGEST NATIONAL PARK - SOUTH AFRICA

The third largest national park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park has expanded to conserve a wide diversity of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. Stretching from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam, over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains, through the Sundays River valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth, Addo covers about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres) and includes the Bird and St Croix Island groups.

The original elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only sixteen elephants remained in the area. Today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species, as well as the unique Addo flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. And their Addo has only just begun, with plans to expand the Park into a 264 000 hectare (652 300 acre) mega-park. In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 hectare (296 500 acre) marine protected area that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and largest breeding population of endangered African penguins.
In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and second largest breeding population of African penguins