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
Buffalo @ Emahlathini
Buffalo is an open plan holiday apartment furnished with a Queen-sized bed, three single beds and a double bed sleeper couch. Buffalo has a fully...
Dawsons Cottage
Dawsons Cottage offers rustic but comfortable accommodation in Badplaas at Dawson's Game and Trout Lodge. This is a great place to enjoy a cosy a...
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...
Freckled Frog Cottage
On the Mpumalanga Highveld bordering Kwa Zulu Natal, nestled between mountains and wetlands, lies the Freckled Frog Cottage at Forellenhof Guest ...
Elephant @ Emahlathini
Elephant is an open plan holiday apartment sleeping four guests. The unit is furnished with a Queen-sized bed and two single beds. There is a ful...
JC Studios
JC Studios offers accommodation in Ermelo in studio-styled suites with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All rooms include a seating area...
The Wool House
The Wool House offers guests a choice of rooms furnished with comfortable Queen-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. Each of the rooms has a desk as...
Khokha Moya Guesthouse
Located in Ermelo, Khokha Moya Guesthouse offers tranquil bed & breakfast accommodation for those en-route to various destinations. Khokha Moya h...
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, ...
Find accommodation in Lothair
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