Tzaneen Attractions
Tzaneen, situated at the foot of the northern Drakensberg in the valley of the Letaba River, is famed for its magnificent subtropical vegetation. Among the crops grown here are exotic fruits, tea (there are conducted tours of the plantations), nuts, flowers, winter vegetables and potatoes. Tzaneen has developed into a popular tourist center, both as a stopover on the way to the Kruger National Park and as a base from which to explore the surrounding area. In the town and its immediate surroundings there are a number of comfortable hotels, and it has a wide range of sports facilities, including an 18-hole golf course and a swimming pool of Olympic dimensions. Tzaneen has an agreeable climate in winter, when it is pleasantly warm during the day and there is little rain.
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Hans Merensky Nature Reserve (Tsonga Kraal Open-air Museum)
In addition to being home to much wildlife, the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve also contains the Tsonga Kraal Open-air Museum, allowing a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the Tsonga tribe.
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Magoebaskloof
Highlights in this area include the 80 m Debegeni Falls, the Ebenezer Dam, and a number of hiking trails.
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Modjadji Nature Reserve
The Modjadji Nature Reserve was established to protect the Modjadji palm. Walking trails run through the reserve which is also home to impalas, blue wildebeests, and other animals.
Duiwelskloof, South Africa
(Near Tzaneen)
The tourist center Duiwelskloof is 18km/11mi from Tzaneen on R 36 (which runs along the Fanie Botha Dam). In the subtropical climate avocados, mangoes and citrus fruits flourish, and in spring the area is carpeted with flowers. The Duiwelskloof Resort is the starting-point of a number of hiking trails.
Fanie Botha Dam Nature Reserve
To the north of Tzaneen is the Fanie Botha Dam Nature Reserve, consisting of the Dam itself and a 300m/330yd wide strip of wooded country round it. The reservoir attracts large numbers of water sports enthusiasts and anglers, and round it are numbers of attractive picnic spots. The wild life in the nature reserve consists of antelopes and more than 150 species of birds; there is no big game.
Wolkberg Wilderness Area
The high hills and deep valleys of the Wolkberg range are part of the Drakensberg chain. This wilderness area (20,000 ha/50,000 acres) is almost completely unspoiled. It is reached from Tzaneen by taking the road (No. 589) to the New Agatha forest station and continuing from there on foot.
