The Magoebaskloof Spring Fair in September is a laid-back and gentle occasion. Visit a choice of local gardens on show, browse through craft markets,
go picnicking or rambling in the forests, set sail on a sunset cruise. The markets are held in the village hall and nearby Magoebaskloof Hotel – and sell a range of crafts, textiles, glassware, curios, soaps and wooden and wrought iron furniture.
One of the highlights of the Spring Fair is the exhibition of orchids. These delicate and exquisite plants never fail to bring oohs and aahs from visitors. A selection is on sale. Nearby Cheerio Gardens is famed for its cherry blossoms and azaleas that reflect in a picturesque lake. Spring here is a great opportunity to visit some of the best public gardens further afield, like the Kings Walden garden in Agatha, near Tzaneen. It’s a formal English garden, voted the ‘Most Romantic Garden of the Decade’ by a leading South African décor magazine.
Warm Welcomes
There are cozy pubs and friendly restaurants in the village. Glenshiel Country Lodge is a fine country hotel on the outskirts of Haenertsburg, overlooking the Iron Crown, the district’s highest peak. It’s also fine wine and fresh trout territory. Further down the mountain, the family-friendly Magoebaskloof Hotel has been welcoming visitors to its amazing mountain views for over 60 years.
Daytripper’s Delight
The Iron Crown peak and northern Drakensberg mountains provide dramatic backdrops to the village and fair. There are plenty of options for day-trippers: try your luck at trout fishing, cool off in a waterfall, or take a hike into the hills. Go picnicking in the Woodbush Forests or at Dap Naude dam, both of which have lovely intimate spots. In Woodbush you can see the tallest planted bluegum tree in the country, which was planted in 1905 and is a dizzying 82m high, making you feel like Alice in Wonderland when you look up. You can also visit an or
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On the outskirts of the village is the Ebenezer Dam, liquid centre of a steep, lush valley, which has sunset boat cruises and is host to the annual Ebenezer Mile and assorted water sports. From Haenertsburg, the Magoebaskloof Pass winds down the mountain towards Tzaneen in a series of dizzying bends. Don’t miss the cascading Debegeni Falls about halfway down the pass. You can also visit the Commonwealth Plantation, a group of enormously tall eucalyptus trees planted about 80 years ago.
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