Mookgophong
Mookgophong (formerly Naboomspruit) is a farming and service town on the R101 and N1 between Modimolle and Mokopane at the foot of the Waterberg, in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality. Its main street, Thabo Mbeki Street, holds the shops, banks and fuel stations, and the town is a base for birders visiting the Nylsvley floodplain, golfers at Euphoria, and hikers on surrounding farm trails.
History
The town was founded in 1907 on the farm Vischgat and was run by a health committee from 1919. Its name Naboomspruit ('euphorbia tree stream') refers to the Euphorbia ingens trees in the area and comes from a Khoekhoe term. The area grew as a stop on the old Pretoria-Pietersburg mail-coach route. Writer Eugène Marais lived for several years at Doornhoek nearby. The town was officially renamed Mookgophong on 24 November 2006.
Getting there
About 42 km north-east of Modimolle and 51 km south-west of Mokopane. From Gauteng take the N1 north and use the Mookgophong off-ramp, or leave the N1 at the Kranskop toll plaza and follow the R101 through Modimolle. Roughly 2 hours from Pretoria.
Weather & climate
Bushveld climate: hot, wet summers with thunderstorms (when the Nyl floodplain may flood), and dry, sunny winters with mild days and cold nights.
Things to do
- Euphoria Golf Estate18-hole par-72 course founded in 2008, about 7 km south of town; visitors welcome daily. euphoriaestate.co.za
- Hanglipberg Trail16 km circular hike from a base camp near Mookgophong; moderate to strenuous and noted as particularly scenic.
- Nylsvley Nature ReserveRamsar-listed floodplain reserve (about 40 km²) with about 370 bird species, including all three bitterns; tens of thousands of waterbirds gather in flood years. Includes the Vogelfontein hides (permit and lock code from the main gate). nylsvley.co.za
- Serendipity Hiking & 4x4 Eco TrailsA 24 km two-day hike from Tierkloof farm between Modimolle and Mookgophong, plus a 40 km network of three 4x4 trails about 25 km from town.
- Skeurkrans Hiking TrailTwo-day, 14.5 km hike from a farm base camp near Mookgophong, with some difficult sections.
- Vasbyt Hiking TrailTwo-day, 18 km easy-to-moderate hike from Jozette farm near Mookgophong.
Things to see
- Bokpoort PassMountain pass associated with writer Eugène Marais, who lived for several years at Doornhoek near Mookgophong.
Businesses in Mookgophong
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