Lothair, Grass & Wetlands
The little town of Lothair, close to the towns of Chrissiesmeer and Amsterdam, lies just outside the border with Swaziland. The economy of the small town is driven largely by forestry and logging, and pine and eucalyptus plantations make much of the surrounding area lush and green.
Jessievale Plantation is one of these, just four kilometres from Lothair, whilst a further 8 000 hectares of land are worked by a community trust called the Somhlolo Trust. The Trust belongs to the Ludlambedlu community, many of whom live and work on the farms that lie around Lothair. Sappi provides the management service whilst the Trust benefits from the timber delivered, but the longterm aim is to give over management to the Trust.
It did not help that there was damage to the plantations from fires in 2007 and 2008, so that a lot of maintenance had to take place. The community's cattle are allowed to graze on the farms and they get firewood and free building poles.
Lothair also lies in the midst of one of Mpumalanga's key weland areas - a birding paradise and an area filled with lakes, rivers and watery elements. Neighbouring town, Chrissiesmeer, lies at the heart of the Mpumalanga wetlands with 270 pans and lakes, all within 20 kilometres of one another, and is home to both the greater and lesser flamingo and another 80 aquatic and 170 non-aquatic bird types. As a result, this area is a great draw card for outdoor activities, particularly those done on water like sailing, fishing, water-skiing or 'frogging expeditions'.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Wetlands Country House and Sheds
Wetlands Country House offers luxurious rooms with that true country feeling. The option of bed and breakfast as well as self-catering is availab...
Kingfisher Cottage at Komati Gorge
Kingfisher Cottage can sleep up to eight guests in three bedrooms. The first two bedrooms are furnished with a Queen-size bed and the third room ...
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Forellenhof is a four star self-catering guest farm set on the foot of the Versamel Mountains six kilometres outside the picturesque village of W...
Pablo Guest House
Situated in a quiet suburb of Ermelo, Pablo Guest House offers nine en-suite bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis. All our double rooms have en-...
Yellowwood Cottage at Komati Gorge
Yellowwood Cottage is located right on the river and has five en-suite bedrooms with Queen-size beds and a loft room with two single beds for the...
Vlei House
Vlei House is a lovely characterful home bordering on the scenic Wakkerstroom wetland. This is a prime birding area, peaceful, quiet and within e...
Chateau B&B
Chateau B&B offers tranquillity and privacy in ten suites. Each luxurious suite has been professionally decorated with individual charm in French...
Rhino @ Emahlathini
Rhino @ Emahlathini is an open plan holiday apartment in Piet Retief sleeping four guests. The unit is furnished with a Queen-sized bed and two s...
Zebra Cottage at Komati Gorge
Zebra Cottage is located at Komati Gorge Lodge near the village of Dullstroom. It is a convenient stop over point from either Gauteng or KwaZulu ...
Things to do in the area
Randell's Ranch Tractor Museum
Tractors are more than just farming machinery. They're rough, tough, powerful, and part of a farming heritage that goes back generations. Randell...
Noteworthy attractions
Badplaas Golf Club
Badplaas Golf Course is privately owned nine hole golf course located in Mpumalanga at the feet of the formidable and striking Hlumu-Hlumu mounta...
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve, renowned for its access to great fishing opportunities, lies just 10 kilometres from Carolina on the Komati Rive...
Ermelo Golf Club
An excellent 18-hole course layout with plenty of challenging holes. The Ermelo country club is in Hendrina Road on the left just before the town...
Nelshoogte Pass
Nelshoogte Pass, sometimes known simply as Nelshoogte or Nelsberg Pass, lies on the R38 between Barberton and Badplaas directly north of the Nkom...
Piet Retief Country Club
Although it has nine holes, the Piet Retief golf course can be played as an 18-hole course. Tee times are welcomed and the club is open all week ...
The Giant Footprint
Lothair also promises visitors a peek into some of its mystery. Was this once the home of giants? A strange question under normal circumstances, ...
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