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Escape into the 'cloudy mountains'
The Wolkberg Wilderness
Serala, highest peak in the Wolkberg Wilderness.
Did you know?
At 2 050m, Serala is the Wolkberg's highest peak
The Wolkberg Wilderness Mountain Reserve is a 22 000 hectare playground for all manner of adventurers.
Whether you're into a good hard hike through steep gorges and along ancient cliffs, or just a gentle day picnicking and ambling alongside a rushing river, the Wolkberg Wilderness area is a quiet and beautiful escape.
This Limpopo reserve is much admired by local hikers, climbers, walkers and wanderers, thanks to its variety of trails and diverse habitat. There are marked trails, but you can walk anywhere you want, exploring dramatic gorges and cliffs, thickly forested ravines and wide-open grasslands.
While you're out walking you may well see smaller antelope such as klipspringer, grey rhebok, duiker, bushbuck and mountain reedbuck, as well as monkeys, baboons, elusive otters and the spotted genet.
Birders are in for a treat too – the Wolkberg Wilderness is home to the rare bat hawk, as well as black eagles, crowned eagles, hamerkops, bat hawks, pearl-breasted swallows and more.
The Wolkberg is the last and northermost stand of the majestic Drakensberg mountain range and was proclaimed, in part, because of its many endemic species. Part of its great appeal is its accessibility. The pretty town of Haenertsburg is only 14 km away.
Don't leave home without your swimming costume. The 'cloudy mountains', as the area is also known, boasts many a clear stream, refreshing waterfalls and potholed pools.
The Letaba, Thabina, Letsitele and Mohlapitse Rivers all originate in the Wolkberg Wilderness, a litany of ancient African names whose river courses are guarded by yellowwoods, wild figs, wild beeches and waterberry trees.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Limpopo Tourism Authority
Tel: +27 (0) 15 293 3600
Email: info@golimpopo.com
Forest Station, Komatiland New Agatha Plantation
Tel: +27 (0) 15 307 4310
Kings Walden Garden Manor
Tel:+27 (0) 15 307 3262
Email: info@kingswalden.co.za
Web: www.kingswalden.co.za
Thaba Metsi Adventures
Tel:+27 (0) 83 866 1546
Email: adventures@thabametsi.com; thabametsi@mweb.co.za
Web: www.thabametsi.com
How to get here
From Johannesburg take the N1 to Polokwane and then the R71 to Tzaneen. From Tzaneen take the Old Coach Road. After 12km, turn right on a dirt road signposted as New Agatha Plantation. The Wolkberg Wilderness entrance gate is 3km along.
Tours to do
Thaba Metsi Adventures offer a variety of activities in the area, including guided walks and adventure sports such as tubing, kloofing, rafting, spelunking and canopy slides.
Get around
The Woldkberg Wilderness is officially open only to people on foot.
What will it cost
R40.00 per vehicle.
Length of stay
A day or more.
What to pack
A hat, sunscreen and sturdy walking shoes are musts. And don't forget the swimming gear as there are many safe rivers and pools to take a dip in.
Where to stay
There are plenty of B&B's, guesthouses, hotels and self-catering chalets in nearby Tzaneen. Kings Walden Garden Manor is near the reserve entrance and boasts magnificent views of the Wolkberg Wilderness mountains.