Mokopane (original) (raw)
Mokopane, Waterberg
Once known as Potgietersrus, Mokopane lies about two hours' north east of Pretoria, not far from Polokwane, in the heart of the Waterberg.
For years Potties - as the locals, both black and white, still call it - has functioned as a farming support town, serving one of the wealthiest farming communities in the country; farms producing mealies, tobacco, wheat and cattle. Mokopane initially flourished with the combined forces of a huge tobacco co-op and a more general co-op. But good times depended completely on the rains � as long as they were consistent, business thrived.
The droughts of the 1970s placed Mokopane under strain � there were no local dams to support farmers and boreholes were not an option with the falling water table. Farming became less profitable. Further pressure mounted as tax concessions and subsidies were revoked, leaving farmers less able to compete in the world food market, particularly with the added deregulation of the international agricultural market.
Since then, although some of the wheat, tobacco, cotton, maize and citrus farms continue, many of them have become game farms. Tourism is encouraged and visitors head here for the attractions that include Makapansgat Caves.
Makapansgat Caves are a World Heritage Site. During a particularly vehement raid in 1854 by the Voortrekkers who established themselves here, the local tribe used the caves in which to hide. They were held under siege for 30 days, during which time two thousand people died in the cave from starvation.
Despite its wretched past, the caves have important relevance for archaeologists who have found remnants that date back over three million years, revealing evidence of controlled fires and the remains of Australopithecus africanus - modern man's direct ancestor.
Attractions include: the annual Kierieklapper festival, the Arend Dieperink Museum, the Doorndraaidam Nature Reserve, the Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Big Five game viewing and San rock paintings.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Game Lodge
Fumani Game Lodge
Tucked away in the heart of the Limpopo bushveld, Fumani Game Lodge offers Bushveld accommodation on the foothills of the majestic Waterberg Moun...
Guest House
The Doors Inn
The Doors Inn offers bed only accommodation in 15 double rooms on a large property in Mokopane. The guesthouse has well kept grounds, a lapa and ...
Self Catering
Waterberg Wilderness Reserve
The Waterberg wilderness camp is situated on a plateau between two deep and picturesque gorges with excellent views over the surrounding hills an...
Bed & Breakfast
Fourie Street 199 Bed and Breakfast
Fourie Street 199 B&B is located in a peaceful area on the lip of the bushveld area of Mokopane, just a mere two hours from Gauteng. This bed and...
Things to do in the area
Family Entertainment
Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour
The Limpopo Province in South Africa is one that is abundant in natural splendour, history (even relics and fossils dating back to prehistoric ti...
Museums
Arend Dieperink Museum
The Arend Dieperink Museum contains a valuable cultural-historical collection of Voortrekker and Sotho artifacts, and is housed in a graceful sto...
Hiking Trails
Thabaphaswa Hiking Trails
Start: Follow the signboards from Route 101 on the Percy Fyfe Road, near PotgietersrusFinish: ThabaphaswaDuration: 1, 2, 3 days, 38 kmFitness: ea...
Animal Sanctuaries
Mokopane Biodiversity Centre
Mokopane is situated just over two hours from Pretoria and little over 40 minutes from Polokwane. The Biodiversity Centre here is committed to br...
Cycling
Thabaphaswa MTB Trails
Where: Thabaphaswa Mountain Retreat in the shadow of Thabaphaswa Mountain, just outside MokopaneLevel: easy to difficultType of route: four trail...
Animal Sanctuaries
Big Cat Experiences
Polokwane is the capital of the province of Limpopo, but the big city status belies the raw celebration of African fauna and flora that can be fo...
Noteworthy attractions
Game Reserves
Welgevonden Game Reserve
The Malaria free Welgevonden Game Reserve is situated just 2.5 hours north of Pretoria. Welgevonden Game Reserve is a declared Heritage Site of 3...
National Parks
Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains has become a 'place of sanctuary' for a vast variety of wildlife mainly due to...
Game Reserves
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Spread over more than 12 000 hectares of softly rolling hills, the malaria-free Mabalingwe Game reserve is host to the big 5, and also hippo, gir...
Game Reserves
Mabula Game Reserve
Only two short hours drive North of Johannesburg lies the African wonder that is Mabula Private Game Reserve. This 12000ha of malaria free reserv...
Game Reserves
Lapalala Wilderness
Lapalala Game Reserve, today one of the largest private game reserves in South Africa, was established to safeguard a unique eco-system with 77 k...
Lakes / Dams
Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve
The beautiful Doorndraai Dam nature reserve, set in amongst the foothills of the Waterberg south west of Potgietersrus, includes, as its name sug...
Golf Courses
Zebula Country Club
This pristine 660-hectare bushveld estate boasts a sensational new world class Peter Matkovich designed golf course. It is also home to a variety...
Game Reserves
Kololo Private Game Reserve
Kololo Game Reserve is situated in the beautiful province of Limpopo, South Africa, in the heart of the Waterberg biosphere. Vast, peaceful and i...
Nature Reserves
Nylsvley Nature Reserve
The Nylsvley Nature Reserve is situated in the upper reaches of the Nyl River near the town of Naboomspruit in Limpopo, and includes part of the ...
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