Magaliesberg

Magaliesberg highlights include the Magaliesberg Mountains a

Magaliesberg is less than 1 hour from the thrill and bustle of Johannesburg, Africa’s most vibrant modern commercial centre, to the birthplace of humankind. Magaliesberg is an area of extraordinary diversity and a fascinating region to explore. Here you will discover the spectacular beauty of the Magaliesberg mountain range, the earliest history of mankind, wonderful birds, flowers and wildlife, exciting adventures, fun-filled activities to suit every interest, and a host of places to stay – from the modest to the luxurious.

The Magaliesberg Mountains

The Magaliesberg are among the oldest mountains in the world, almost 100 times older than Everest. They stretch for 120km from Bronkhorstspruit Dam east of Pretoria to Rustenburg in the west and separate the highveld grasslands to the south from the bushveld savannah in the north.

The Magaliesberg are among the oldest mountains in the world, almost 100 times older than Everest. They stretch for 120km from Bronkhorstspruit Dam east of Pretoria to Rustenburg in the west and separate the highveld grasslands to the south from the bushveld savannah in the north.

Sheer quartzite cliffs face south, overlooking a wide valley and a smaller ridge similar in shape and structure to the Magaliesberg. Water runoff from the mountains has created deep gullies and wonderful kloofs, some more than 100 metres deep, with perennial waterfalls of crystal clear water spilling from the heart of the mountain. These beautiful places are popular with climbers and hikers.

Mountain climbing enthusiasts have visited the Magaliesberg since the 1920s. It is one of the main sites for the Johannesburg section of the Mountain Club of South Africa, which has always promoted conservation in the area, and has spared it from much abuse.

Today much of the Magaliesberg area is a protected natural environment that deserves and requires the co-operation and care of the many thousands of visitors who come to the mountains to seek sanctuary from the stress of city life.

Bird watching in Magaliesberg

Magaliesberg is a favourite place for birdwatchers who travel out from the city every weekend to get sight some of the 300 species that have been recorded in the area. Cape vultures nest in colonies on the south facing cliffs along with the black eagle, jackal buzzard, falcons and swifts. In winter the aloes attract myriads of brilliantly coloured sunbirds and in summer flocks of migrating storks can be seen in the fields. Cuckoos, starlings, robins, babblers, barbets, finches, owls and a multitude of other species are to be spotted here. In October, the exquisite paradise flycatcher moves into the area to breed and rear its offspring before returning to the tropics for the winter.

Magaliesberg Arts and Crafts

While ethnic art and craft prevails, modern influences have introduced modifications and entirely new art forms which can be found at a number of roadside vendors, gift shops and curio outlets in the Village.

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