Magoebaskloof

Magoebaskloof is the steep, forested valley and mountain pass on the R71 between Haenertsburg and Tzaneen, carved by the Politsi River and known as the 'Land of the Silver Mist'. It is an area of indigenous Afromontane forest, waterfalls, trout dams, tea and fruit farms and spring gardens such as Cheerio Gardens, with farm cottages, cafes, a craft brewery and adventure operators scattered along the R71 and Cheerio Road.

About Things to do & see Close by Businesses Property

History

The valley is named after Chief Makgoba (the spelling 'Makgobaskloof' is closer to the original), whose small kingdom resisted Boer forces under Commandant Abel Erasmus in the Makgoba War of the 1890s. Commercial forestry later shaped the area, and the Magoebaskloof Hotel at the top of the pass was built in 1937.

Getting there

The R71 Magoebaskloof Pass descends from Haenertsburg towards Tzaneen over about 30 km, reaching the R36 junction about 4 km from Tzaneen; the area is roughly 58 km from Polokwane. From Johannesburg it is roughly 350-380 km via the N1 north to Polokwane and then the R71 east. Many farms are on gravel side roads such as Cheerio Road and the Woodbush road, where a high-clearance vehicle helps.

Weather & climate

A misty, high-rainfall area (around 1,200-1,500 mm a year in the mountains, mostly November to March). Summers are mild and wet with afternoon thunderstorms, and winters are dry and cool with occasional frost at higher levels; spring (September) brings the azalea and cherry blossom season.

Things to do

Birding in MagoebaskloofThe Capricorn Letaba birding route along the R71 records over 500 species, and the forests are known for the endangered Cape parrot and black-fronted bush-shrike; local guides can be booked. limpopobirdingroutes.com
Lesodi Hiking TrailHiking trail in the Magoebaskloof forests.
Magoebaskloof Canopy TourA zipline tour of 11 slides and a bridge high in indigenous forest in the Letaba River gorge, taking about 2.5 hours with two guides; ages 7-70, maximum 120 kg. magoebaskloofadventures.co.za
Magoebaskloof Hiking TrailA one- to five-day hiking trail through the Woodbush forest past ancient trees and waterfalls, with overnight huts; permits are required.
Magoebaskloof Pass driveThe R71 drops steeply from the Haenertsburg plateau to the Lowveld through indigenous forest and plantations, one of the steepest tarred passes in South Africa.
Mountain biking trailsMarked routes from family-friendly farm roads to technical single track, including the Blue (9 km), Yellow (17 km) and Green (22 km) routes. magoebaskloofadventures.co.za
Stanford Lake and blueberry pickingPick your own blueberries at Blueberry Heights overlooking Stanford Lake in summer, and join the Saturday 8am 5 km fun run from the farm cafe. blueberryheights.co.za
Swartbos TrailA self-guided 3.8 km forest walk of about 1 hour 45 minutes through the Magoebaskloof gorge forest; maps are available at the hotel.
Thomac essential oil distillery tourA guided tour of the distillation of Southern Immortelle essential oil; booking essential. thomac-oils.co.za
Wegraakbosch cheese tourA booked 10:00 farm tour covering cheesemaking, hand milking and a forest walk, ending with a cheese platter. wegraakbosch.wixsite.com/wegraakbosch
Woodbush Forest / Dokelwa TrailForest walking trail in the Woodbush Forest, Magoebaskloof.
Woodbush Forest Reserve and Forest DriveThe second-largest indigenous Afromontane forest in South Africa, with a 14 km gravel forest drive and some of Limpopo's best forest birding, including Cape parrot, narina trogon and crowned eagle.
Zwakala Brewery tastingTaste craft beers brewed with mountain water, including the conservation-linked Cape Parrot Ale. zwakalabrewery.com

Things to see

Cheerio GardensGardens in the Cheerio valley famous for azaleas, cherry and crab apple blossom, tree ferns and moss-covered paths around a chain of dams, started by Sheila Thompson with azalea and cherry seed from Japan. The gardens are the focal point of the spring festival. cheeriogardens.co.za
Debengeni FallsA waterfall on the Politsi River that slides over smooth rock into deep pools; the Sepedi name means 'place of the big pots'. Short walks and picnic areas, but the rocks are very slippery. safcol.co.za/ecotourism-4/waterfalls/debengeni-falls
Kuhestan and Sequoia GardensTwo private gardens on the Cheerio and Houtbosdorp roads: Kuhestan's 1.5 ha organic farm gardens (open 09:00-12:00 daily) and Sequoia's cherry blossom and azalea avenues with about 100 labelled trees (visits by arrangement). kuhestan.co.za