Klerksdorp, Southern Region
The discovery of gold in 1886 saw thousands of prospectors flock to Klerksdorp. Today, Klerksdorp is the centre for a large mining and agricultural economy and boasts the second largest grain co-operative in the world. Attractions include Goudkoppie (the old mining shafts dating back to the 18th century), Klerksdorp Mines, Ou Dorp Hiking Trail. The Railway Station and Old Flag Room which was opened by President Paul Kruger when the line from Krugersdorp reached the town in 1897 - Klerksdorp's first national monument.
Klerksdorp, also known as Matlosana, the city of people, or Klerksdorp-Matlosana lies on the N12 about 200 kilometres south west of Johannesburg. To confuse the issue further, other points of reference suggest that the city is Matlosana, known as Klerksdorp, whilst still others refer to the city as Klerksdorp but the municipality as Matlosana.
Whatever its current name, Klerksdorp began as a Voortrekker settlement on the banks of the Schoonspruit (clear stream), which flows through the city, in the late 1830s. Klerksdorp’s streets are today lined with historic buildings and sites that bear testament, not only to these brave frontier families who crossed the Vaal River to settle here, but also to the gold rush, which brought thousands of prospectors to the rural settlement.
Klerksdorp is surrounded by loveliness, despite the fact that it today thrives both on mining and agriculture. The Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve is just 13 kilometres outside of the city and well worth a visit. Ideal is to take the ‘ou dorp’ (old town) hiking trail that wends its way through the old part of town, taking in all of the sites of historical reference, including Jack Scott House - an original tin house imported all the way from Britain, although it’s been allowed to degenerate somewhat. And there’s an original distillery that makes an appealing visit too.
If it’s greener vistas you are after, then visit the city’s Plant House, a series of municipal gardens in town, or the Johan Neser Dam, on the Schoonspruit just northwest of the city.
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Klerksdorp
Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
Regarded as one of the largest waterfowl sanctuaries in Southern Africa, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary lies on the outskirts of the little known Delareyville, close to Vryburg on the N14 highway and roughly three hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Barberspan is the largest of a series of pans that lie in the ... more information
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve lies on the North West province side of the Bloemhof Dam, on the dam’s northern shores. Regarded as one of the largest dams in South Africa covering an area of 25 000 hectares that lies at the confluence of the Vaal and Vet Rivers. Bloemhof is one of the angling destinations in the country ... more information
Boskop Dam Nature Reserve
The Boskop Dam Nature Reserve is 3000 hectares of rolling grasslands that offer visitors sightings of black wildebeest, springbok, red hartebeest, zebra and blesbok. Situated about 20 kilometres from Potchefstroom, Boskop Dam lies amongst a series of low hills. It is a fantastic fly-fishing venue, offering crystal ... more information
Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve
For bird enthusiasts the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve often forms part of a bird spotting tour and is regarded as a place for ‘serious’ birding. It helps that there are two loops of well-maintained roads and three seasonal dams in the reserve, so that accessing both the birds and the 30 odd species of wildlife resident ... more information
North-West University Botanical Garden
The bird list alone reads like a veritable feast, and you can hope to see anything from a steppe buzzard and African harrier-hawk to a spotted flycatcher and malachite kingfisher in the North-West University Botanical Garden that graces the University of of the North West in Potchefstroom, the university city... more information
Orkney Golf Course
Orkney Golf Course is a tree-linked parkland course with undulating greens. It has thirty-one bunkers and five water features as well as the Vaal river, which runs parallel to the 8th, 9th,10th and 11th holes. It has full facilities including a franchised restaurant. Wildlife includes squirrels, yellow mongoose and ... more information
Pilanesberg National Park
The Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000 hectare, is the fourth largest in southern Africa. This malaria-free park is perched on the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the world. The park boasts healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino ... more information
SA Lombard Nature Reserve
One of the earliest wildlife conservation research centres in the country, the SA Lombard Nature Reserve is the park credited with saving the black wildebeest from extinction in the wild, and whilst it is not open to the public, there are a couple of guest houses that serve as accommodation in this peaceful ... more information
Wolwespruit Nature Reserve
The Wolwespruit Nature Reserve lies on the Vaal River and is one of the least known of the parks in the North West province, possibly because of its size - only 2330 hectares. The reserve is popular with birdwatchers and hikers. The grassy plains are home to a number of antelope, including the once endangered ... more information
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Things To Do in Klerksdorp
Thusanang Training and Development Project
Where: Klerksdorp
How much (per person): Free to Browse
For twenty years, Thusanang has been assisting rural women with training ang job creation initiatives. These women are are single mothers an ... more information
Visit the Klerksdorp Museum
Where: Klerksdorp
How much (per person): R1 to R100
The Klerksdorp Museum is housed in a number of buildings. The main museum, in the Old Gaol (1891), features archaeology, cultural history, g ... more information
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