Haenertsburg

Haenertsburg was laid out in 1887 after gold was found in the streams below, and the rush lasted long enough to leave a village and not much longer. What remains is a single main street on the edge of the Magoebaskloof escarpment, where the highveld drops several hundred metres into subtropical Limpopo, and the altitude gives it a cool damp climate unlike anything around it. That climate is why the village became known for gardens: azaleas and cherry blossom in September and October, when the Cheerio and Sequoia gardens open, and hydrangeas later in the summer. The streams that were panned for gold are now stocked trout water, and the forestry plantations and indigenous patches around the village carry walking trails. It is small - a pub, a few restaurants, guesthouses, a bookshop - and functions mainly as a base for the Magoebaskloof escarpment below it.

What you actually see

• The blossom season - azaleas and cherries in September and October, with gardens open.
• The escarpment edge - highveld dropping into subtropical Limpopo below the village.
• Trout streams - the same water that was panned for gold in the 1880s.
• A one-street village - a pub, guesthouses and walking trails, and little else.

When to go

September to October for blossom; summer for hydrangeas and mist. A day or a weekend.

Honest expectations

It is very small - a few hours covers the village itself. Gardens open only in season and charge entry. The escarpment is often in cloud, which is atmospheric but hides the views. The R71 carries heavy truck traffic.

Nearby

The Magoebaskloof pass and Debengeni Falls are below; Tzaneen is east.