We Heart Haenertsburg

— We need to travel more—

Whether you travel once a month or once a year or even once in your lifetime, we need to travel more.

Mark Twain said, “Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.” And if Mark Twain said it, you know it’s true!

We hail from a country that is beautiful. Not in the way that cities such as Paris or even Amsterdam are beautiful, but South Africa has a raw, almost primal, beauty all its own. It is also wildly unexplored by many South Africans. As a nation we tend to stick to the main roads, or the ones that lead us back to our family when we travel, so there are vast tracts of this amazing land for you to still uncover.

An area of South Africa that I have never wanted to explore is Limpopo. It just didn’t seem... exotic enough. Until I actually went there.

— The Hidden Gem —

Nestled on the escarpment in the Magoebaskloof area of Limpopo is the little town of Haenertsburg. Almost always cocooned in early morning mist, this dainty little hamlet is home to a smattering of about 350 families, with another 2500 people living on “The Mountain” as it’s fondly called by locals. You get the idea – it’s tiny!

The central town itself only has a few roads but it is the surrounding area that is the real draw card. It’s a charming little place this, as evidenced by the cottagey wooden restaurant covered in flowers that is the very first marker as you drive into town. Everything just seems to fit. From the collection of country-inspired eateries to welcoming guesthouses, Haenertsburg feels every inch the “home away from home” we’re all looking for.

On weekends, and being only a mere three-hour drive from Gauteng, the valleys and twisty mountain roads near Haenertsburg are often alive with sounds of motorcycles curving around the bends. It’s also a favourite among cyclists and hikers looking to explore the adjacent mountain passes.

The area is a popular spot for fly-fishing fundis and birding enthusiasts with the nearby Ebenezer Dam, a mere double-haul cast from the village, being home to a variety of water sports. For those feeling less inclined to keep their feet on the ground (or water rather), the Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour is simply the most fun you can have in the air. It soars over waterfalls, rivers and gorges and gives you an unparalleled perspective of this beautiful part of our country.

There is also berry picking on offer, game reserves (about an hour away), walks, hiking, mountain bike trails abound, and once you become a regular, locals (who are extremely friendly) will even invite you to join their sundowner parties or lake-side celebrations!

— The Activities —

“’Scuse me while I kiss the sky.” Jimi Hendrix

— The Land—

As you can clearly see from the pictures that adorn these pages, this area is not short of forests. They are everywhere. Serene, sometimes eerie but always beautiful, these forests are part of the reason for the existence of this little town.

The official name for the grasslands is the “Woodbush Granite Grasslands”, and they are currently under threat for a number of reasons. They support a variety of animals and other vegetation and include a number of plants used by traditional healers.

Close enough for an afternoon drive lies the Debegeni Waterfall. It’s spectacularly beautiful but beware of the rocks at the base of the falls which are deceptively slippery. Nestled nearby is a short hike through an indigenous forest, making this a great way to spend an afternoon.

“I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.”

– Pablo Neruda — The Festivals—

Festivals abound in this part of the world and vary from those including grass and wildlife to those that include obscene amounts of music and fun! Not that grass isn’t fun...

February sees the Berry Festival. You can pick them on participating farms, or you can visit the town markets with all things berry-minded and delicious.

The ever popular Haenertsburg Food, Wine and Beer Festival takes place in March or April every year and is bursting with craft beer, organic foods, wedding expos and all things foodie orientated.

June sees the Neighbourhood Market which is a great affair where pretty much the entire population turns out, all bringing their arts, crafts and delicious treats. Again, a great way to meet the locals.

Our favourite of all the festivals in the area is the Spring Festival (www.springfestival.co.za). The Japanese flowering cherry trees are enveloped in clouds of blossoms, the azaleas are playing to the crowds in full bloom with their pink, purple, and white flowers and even the crabapple trees are showing their colours. It’s breathtaking and the entire area seems to shimmer with prettiness in September. Definitely a time to go!

Of course, throughout the year, there are a number of athletic events as well. Trail runs, mountain bike races, marathons and even fishing competitions are on the go, and the fresh air sees many an enthusiastic athlete pit him or herself against their peers in an effort to say that they conquered The Mountain.

“The earth laughs in flowers.”

— The Seasons—

This part of the world can be extreme. Soaring temperatures in summer and plummeting depths when you least expect it. The best advice we can give is to pack everything, and dress in layers. At some point in your day you will be down to as little as possible, and at another you will be wearing a jacket more suited to an arctic winter.

The weather can turn without any notice, going from warm and sunny to misty and raining in minutes – as we found out during our photoshoots. It truly can be an “all seasons in one day” experience. But that just adds to the mystique of The Mountain. It adds character, layers if you will.

We just loved the early mornings, when you could watch the mist roll in, and bizarrely it really does roll. It’s beautiful. But it clears in an instant and what was a foggy outline of a mammoth forest god will suddenly materialise into a majestic tree. Like magic.

— What To Wear & Bring —

Bring a book. Lots of books. It’s a beautiful part of the world, majestic and peaceful. Your mind can recharge and discover new things, so books are definitely on the cards.

Bring a rain jacket, even if it’s just for walks in the morning mist. Then bring costumes, because... well... lakes and rivers abound, and they are wonderful to take a dip in. It can be blazing hot, so if you are planning on doing any hiking, or walking in the forests, bring a hat to keep you cool and protect you.

If you are self-catering, you need to bring most of your groceries. Sure you can pop down the road for milk, but the nearby stores are pretty basic so if your taste extends beyond milk, butter, cool drink and tea then it’s advisable to bring whatever you need. There is a local bottle store, but its stock is limited to the most popular items, so if you are looking for anything specific, maybe rather pack it at home.

“Life is full of whimsical happenings, Watson.”

— Directory —

— NEED TO KNOW —

Find out more about this area and plan your holiday

www.magoebasklooftourism.co.za www.mountaingetaways.co.za www.golimpopo.co.za

— Directory —

— SHMECKLES OF YUM —

THE IRON CROWN PUB AND GRILL It is pretty much the only nightlife in this area, and the Iron Crown makes great pub food. Having hosted our teams on two different photoshoots, we feel absolutely qualified to say that you should order their famous burgers! +27 15 276 4755 | +27 15 276 4755 | Rissik Street, Haenertsburg

BLUEBERRY HEIGHTS + 27 83 880 8787 | www.blueberryheights.co.za | jon@blueberryheights.co.za

RED PLATE On our five-day shoot Colleen and the lovely team at the Red Plate catered for us and not only was the food plentiful, but it was delicious. We thoroughly recommend them! +27 83 305 2851 | www.redplate.co.za | 161 Rissik Street, Haenertsburg

MINKI’S The only place for delicious breakfasts and great coffee! They also have a lovely little homeware shop.

+27 15 276 4781 | Rissik Street, Haenertsburg

“Breathing dreams like air.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

— Directory —

— TAKE A LOAD OFF —

BLUEBERRY HEIGHTS +27 83 880 8787 www.blueberryheights.co.za | jon@blueberryheights.co.za

WOODMERE LODGE Astrid welcomed our group of ten into this lovely accommodation, and it is fantastic. In fact, it was so good our make-up artist, Sam, refused to leave when we all did and stayed another night. + 27 83 255 5816 | www.limpopobookings.co.za/woodmere-lodge.php azbotha@gmail.com

CHEERIO We stayed here on our first trip to Magoebaskloof and the little town of Haenertsburg. With many different chalets, it’s a lovely little resort, made even better by the magnificent Cheerio Gardens and the incredible hospitality. +27 72 650 2366 | www.cheerio.co.za | reservations@cheerio.co.za

AFRICAN IVORY ROUTE +27 15 781 0690 | www.africanivoryroute.co.za

— GETTIN’ BUSY —

MAGOEBASKLOOF CANOPY TOUR +27 83 866 1546 | www.magoebaskloofcanopytour.co.za

MAGOEBASKLOOF ADVENTURES +27 83 866 1546 | www.magoebaskloofadventures.co.za

WEGRAAKBOSCH ORGANIC DAIRY + 27 82 853 8754 | 071 687 5218 | www.limpopobookings.co.za/wegraakbosch Road M1, Cheerio Valley, Magoebaskloof

KUHESTAN ORGANIC FARM + 27 82 903 7593 | + 27 82 903 7593 | www.kuhestan.co.za Road J 22, Houtbosdrop Road, Magoebaskloof.

LEKGALAMEETSE RESERVE + 27 15 290 7341 | www.golimpopo.co.za

“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.”

― Lilly Pulitzer

“My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die”

― Freddie Mercury

Photographer Ingrid Alice Irsigler Post Production Crowbloody / Alex Sedova Models Tatum Clark Sian Ryan Styling Nicola Luther Clothing Lunar Makeup Tatum Clark Hair Jana Coetzee Project Management Purple Raindrop