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THE MAGALIESBERG REGION
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Magaliesberg: Stretching for
over 120 kilometres and separating the highveld grasslands to the south from the bushveld
savannah in the north, is the Magaliesberg, a stretch of mountains 100 times older than
Everest, that extend from Rustenburg
in the west all the way to Bronkhorstspruit
Dam, just east of Pretoria.
Once known as the Kashan Mountains, the Magaliesberg was later named after the Tswana
chief Magali who was around at the time that white Voortrekkers first ventured into this
part of the world. Explorers, the likes of David Livingstone, have negotiated this
mountain range to make contact with tribes living here - the range has lived through
centuries of human occupation, dating back at least 2 million years, hence the discovery
of Mrs Ples and other fossils in and around the Sterkfontein Caves, which lie in the Cradle
of Humankind World Heritage Site not far from the town of Magaliesburg.
(Note the differentiation - The Magaliesberg (the region) is spelt with an
"e" in berg, whilst the Town known as Magaliesburg is spelt with a
"u").
The Magaliesberg provides an incredible montage of deep gullies, wonderful kloofs - some
of which run as much as 100 metres deep - with crystal clear streams and waterfalls and
sheer quartzite cliffs. Hikers, rock climbers and abseilers all revel in the natural
environment that remains largely unspoilt on the mountains themselves.
Combined with the foothills of the Witwatersberg, to the south, Magaliesberg provides
well-wooded slopes and valleys, steep cliffs and rocky outcrops, all of which serve as
rich habitat for birds and hence birders too make the Magaliesberg a regular retreat.
The main advantage of the Magaliesberg is its access from Johannesburg
and Pretoria. It serves as an ideal weekend away from it all and even a day’s outing
is worth the effort. There are numerous forms of accommodation from which to select; the
Crocodile Ramble, which meanders through the Cradle of Humankind and Hartbeespoort
Dam, is a series of added attractions, and there are many restaurants, arts and crafts
markets and activities that make this a popular destination. |
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MAGALIESBERG DESTINATIONS
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  The sleepy
little village of Magaliesburg lies in the Witwatersberg - the actual Magaliesberg
Mountains are a further 8 kilometres or so north of here - its nearest neighbours the
unassuming towns of Doornhoek and Hekpoort, an easy hour’s drive from Johannesburg.
There’s a steam train, the Magaliesburg ... more » Magaliesburg Info
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 Doornhoek lies in the heart of the
Magaliesberg, close to the little village of Hekpoort that nestles on
the gentle southern slopes of the mountain range, just north west of Johannesburg. Most of
the area is used for agriculture in this corner of Gauteng, which virtually borders on the North West
Province, and game ... more » Doornhoek Info
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 Nestled on the southern slopes of the
Magaliesberg Mountain range is the predominantly farming area of Hekpoort, only a short
drive from Hartbeespoort Dam
and accessible from the south via a pass through the Daspoortrand, hence the name Hekpoort
(meaning ‘gate’ in Afrikaans). Hekpoort is one of the ... more » Hekpoort Info
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 Renosterspruit
lies in a vital and natural green lung, encompassing farmland, small holdings and a number
of reserves and conservancies - such as the Rhenosterspruit Nature Conservancy within
which the Oori Nature Reserve lies. Both of these locales play a large role in the
conserving and ... more » Renosterspruit Info
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 The beauty of
Hartbeespoort Dam is what draws people here - the dam literally cradled in the lap of the
mountains - and many regard this as a retreat from the concrete jungle of city living. The
1620 hectare Hartbeespoort dam functions both as a source of irrigation for farms in the
area and as a ... more » Hartbeespoort
Dam Info |
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MAGALIESBERG ATTRACTIONS
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 The Cradle of
Humankind: Take a tour to the Cradle of Humankind, at Sterkfontein, Gauteng’s famous
World Heritage Site – where caves have produced nearly half of the world’s
hominid fossil discoveries. Close to the Cradle is the Kromdraai Wonder Cave, as well as
the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve ... more » Cradle of Humankind
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 Lying in the beautiful Crocodile River
Valley some 40 minutes from Johannesburg, to the south of the Magaliesberg Mountains, lies
the Oori Nature Reserve (Oori is Tswana for Crocodile). The total area of about 750
hectares is made up of roughly 40 properties, all of which have done away with internal
... Oori Nature Reserve »
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 Plumari Ranch
Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of over 2000 hectares. The
ranch boasts an amazing natural African bushveld with an abundance of wildlife. Guests can
expect to see leopard and expect to
see white rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck ... Plumari
Game Reserve »
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 A variety of
savanna grassland, riverine forest, high mountain and woodland make for a scenic hiking
experience up to the highest point of the Magalies mountain range with a magnificent view
of the Magalies river valley and Buffelspoort. From easy strolls to experienced hiking in
the ... Nooitgedacht Game
Reserve »
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« South
Africa Attractions | South Africa Game
Reserves » |
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