Magaoebaskloof – ‘the place where two warrior chiefs dueled’, takes its name from the Tlou tribe’s chief, Makgoba, who lived in this area.  It is difficult to believe that this beautiful, peaceful and quiet valley, with its subtropical trees and abundant water, was once the scene of bitter conflict, active gold mining and forestry activity.

 

The Woodbush hut is the original plantation forester’s house and adjacent to this, one finds one of the oldest arboretums in South Africa, made up of exotic pine species.

 

Broederstroom owes its origins to the mining magnate, Sir Lionel Phillips, who bought the farms at the request of his wife, Florence.  Lady Phillips is remembered for the horses that she reared at the ‘Broederstroom Stud Farm’ and the trees that she planted.  On one occasion, she planted 20 swamp cypresses along the avenue just below the Broederstroom Hut.  On another occasion she pushed acorns into the soft soil along the Broederstroom and these grew into the oaks that now shade the area below the Dap Naude Dam.

 

When you relax under the trees, spare their origin some thought.

 

Surely this must be one of the most beautiful trails in South Africa and possibly the world.  Nestled in the indigenous forest of Magoebaskloof, this trail takes you to beautiful areas steeped in mystery.  The trail winds mostly through indigenous forest, yet occasionally traverses sections of plantation, avenues of oak trees or follows a mountain stream to cascading falls into huge pools.  Beautifully positioned log cabins and a historically important mule stable are used for overnight accommodation providing comfortable lodgings.

 

The trail networks consist of several individual sections, which can be combined to form trails ranging from two to five days in length.

 

To get there, follow the N1 towards Pietersburg.  Turn off to Tzaneen on the R70 until about 77km before Pietersburg.  Follow the turnoff to the Debengeni hiking trail and waterfall.

 

Acknowledgement: Safcol Ecotourism