Tzaneen

A subtropical town surrounded by tea, avocado and mango farms, close to Magoebaskloof.

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History

Tzaneen grew up at a drift on the Groot Letaba River, where George Augustus Morgan opened the first hotel in 1907; the town's name derives from the local name Tsaneng. In 1931 Dr Siegfried Annecke set up a malaria research and control station here, and his work is credited with largely freeing the Lowveld of malaria, which opened the valley to large-scale farming. Today Tzaneen is the second-largest town in Limpopo after Polokwane and the commercial hub of a fertile subtropical region growing avocados, citrus, mangoes, bananas, litchis, nuts and tea, with the Tzaneen Dam (formerly Fanie Botha Dam, 1976) on its north-western edge.

Getting there

Tzaneen lies on the R71 about 100 km east of Polokwane (roughly an hour's drive over the Magoebaskloof Pass) and about 420 km (around 4 hours) north-east of Johannesburg via the N1 and R71. Phalaborwa is about 115 km east on the R71, with Kruger National Park's Phalaborwa Gate about 96 km away. The nearest airports are Polokwane Gateway Airport, Kruger Park Gateway Airport at Phalaborwa and Eastgate Airport at Hoedspruit, all with scheduled flights from Johannesburg.

Weather & climate

Tzaneen has a warm, humid subtropical climate at about 720 m above sea level. Summers (September to March) average around 28 °C with most rain falling as summer thunderstorms, while winters are mild and dry at around 15 °C. The town receives roughly 800 mm of rain a year, and the surrounding mountains more than 1,500 mm.

Things to do

Agatha Crocodile RanchGuided tours of a working crocodile farm on an avocado farm, with feeding shows, a chance to hold a baby crocodile, and a curio shop.
Bass and carp fishing on Tzaneen DamThe dam is known for carp and Florida largemouth bass. Anglers can fish from Jetty 3 at the Tzaneen Boat Club, reached via Aqua Park, for a small entrance fee.
Birdwatching at Tzaneen DamMore than 350 bird species have been recorded on and around the dam, and the area below the dam wall is especially good.
Boschoek avocado and macadamia farm stayStay on a working family avocado and macadamia farm below the Magoebaskloof escarpment and buy produce at its farm shop. boschoekfarm.co.za
Dining in the Dark at Tzaneen Country LodgeAnnual fundraising dinner eaten in the dark (the 6th edition was in 2025).
Fairview Monthly Medal golfMonthly medal golf competition on the Fairview Hotel's course next to the Letaba River.
Fairview par-3 golf courseAn 18-hole par-3 course at Fairview with holes of 70–220 m among rolling lawns, water features and indigenous trees. fairviewtzaneen.co.za
Fly fishing at FairviewFly fishing on the Letaba River at Fairview, by appointment only. fairviewtzaneen.co.za
Golf at Tzaneen Country ClubAn 18-hole, par-72 bushveld course with mountain views, open to visitors.
Mhangela Animal Touch FarmA petting farm where children can feed and touch donkeys, ponies, goats and other farm animals and take pony rides, with a tea garden serving pancakes and cakes.
Piesangfees (Banana Festival)Two-day church festival run by the NG Moedergemeente Tzaneen.
Rooikat TrailAn 11 km circular forest walk of about five hours from the Agatha forest station, with a picnic and swimming spot on the Bobs River. Maps and entry are at the station.
Safari Pub & Grill market daysRegular market days at Safari Pub & Grill on the R71 at Lushof, with craft and food stalls. Recent ones were a BoereMark in September, a Market Day in October and a Christmas Market in December 2025.
SAVF WerfmarkYard market run by the SAVF (Suid-Afrikaanse Vrouefederasie) in Tzaneen, 09:00–14:00.
TWYF Wolfpack Marathon 4-in-1Road-running event with four distance options, starting at the Tzaneen Show Ground.
Tzaneen Dam camping and caravan parkThe Tzaneen Dam Nature Reserve has a caravan and camping area with ablutions, electricity and braai facilities.
Tzaneen Dam Nature ReserveThe large dam on the Groot Letaba River (formerly Fanie Botha Dam, completed 1976), surrounded by a strip of woodland reserve, with hippos and good birding below the wall.
Tzaneen Doek and Jeans PicnicTicketed daytime community picnic with DJs, food and drinks, held at Sima Silver Lodge.
Tzaneen Tuffy raceA Spar-sponsored road race with 42.2 km, 21.1 km, 10 km and 5 km events, run in March from Lombard Avocado on the Agatha Old Coach Road.

Things to see

Agatha Forest ReserveForested reserve in the hills just above Tzaneen, popular for walks, birding and picnics.
Annecke Malaria Institute memorialThe commemorative wall erected in 1970 at the entrance to the former malaria research institute that Dr Siegfried Annecke founded in 1931. Its bronze statue of Annecke was stolen in January 2023.
Kings Walden GardenA historic English-style hillside garden in Agatha with fountains, an ornamental lake and views of the northern Drakensberg. Day visitors are welcome at the tea garden. kingswalden.co.za
Koraalboom Golf TournamentAnnual golf tournament at Tzaneen Country Club.
Letaba ShowAnnual agricultural show run by Agri Letaba at the Tzaneen showgrounds, with livestock, local produce, rides and family entertainment. agriletaba.co.za
Showjumping and dressage at Uitzoek StablesEquestrian showjumping and dressage shows at Uitzoek Stables outside Tzaneen.
Tzaneen Agri-ExpoAgricultural expo with farmer workshops and talks, held at Tzaneen Country Lodge (most recently on 26 June 2025).
Tzaneen Lion and Predator ParkPredator park at Letaba River Lodge on Broederstroom Drift Road, where guided tours show lions, tigers, hyenas, leopards, caracals and servals.
Tzaneen MuseumA small museum with Tsonga and North Sotho pottery, beadwork, weapons and carvings, including royal drums of the Rain Queen and a large collection of pole carvings.
Vervet Monkey FoundationPrimate rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary at Tarentaalrand that takes short-term volunteers; contact them before visiting. vervet.za.org