Stretching from Polokwane, the gateway to the area, Route-71 makes for a spectacular road trip starting with the scenic escarpment of the Northern Drakensberg and Wolkberg mountain ranges above Haenertsburg, where the altitude reaches 2300 metres above sea level and then drops dramatically into the Lowveld. The Magoebaskloof Pass is a dramatic way to descend into the valley with stunning scenery to be glimpsed through towering pines clinging to the sheer mountainside as you take the roller-coaster ride down the hairpin bends into the lowveld. The precipitous pass winding through the kloof regularly detours trucks with heavy loads into the undergrowth as it did in the 1890’s when the Zeederburg Coaches travelled the frightening descent from Haenertsburg to Leydsdorp with a team of mules, horses and even zebras. Explore Route 71 -as it winds its way through the quaint hamlet and the misty mountains and forests of Magoebaskloof, down to the lush subtropical agricultural lands around Tzaneen and into the wild heart of the province: the Kruger National Park.
10 things to do along Route 71:
Come closer to the northern-most Craft Brewery in Limpopo at Zwakala Brewery on Cheerio Road in Magoebaskloof. This vibey venue is the place to go over a weekend.
Fuel your adventurous spirit on an exciting Canopy Tour with 11 ziplines over gorges and waterfalls or Mad Rabbit Adventures for kids.
Lose yourself in the autumn colours at Sequoia Garden Retreat, Bramasole Guest House and the drive to Dap Naude Dam.
Go mountain-biking, horse riding, hiking and fishing in Magoebaskoof or birding in the Woodbush Forest.
Route 71 has unique foodie-experiences from funky farmstalls, delis and restaurants to organic slow-food offerings.
Shop along Haenertsburg’s High-street.
Have a round of golf or a Spa treatment at Fairview Country Lodge.
Explore the natural beauty of the area from the top of the Wolkberg mountains to Debengeni Waterfalls.
Take the whole family to Tzaneen Country Lodge as a perfect midpoint base to explore the area.
Find your wild spirit in the beautiful bushveld of the famed Kruger National Park.