Situated in the Lowveld, Tzaneen has several places worth visiting.It is fast becoming a popular venue for nature lovers, hiking, guided bush walks and bird watching.

Fishing fundis describe Tzaneen Dam as 'quite simply the best place for carp fishing in Africa'. It is also well stocked with Florida strain largemouth bass. The dam is not just for anglers. Bird watchers, people who love water sports and being on the banks of a body of water for the day, make the dam a regular part of their leisure time. Birding around the dam is also virtually unequalled. Over 350 different bird species have been recorded on and around the water.

High in the Lobedu Mountains near Duiwelskloof and situated next to the home of the fabled rain queen, lies the Modjadji Cycad Reserve, boasting some of the oldest and largest Cycad specimens on earth. It is here in the Modjadji Nature Reserve that visitors can view the largest concentration of a single cycad species in the world. The cycad nursery, picnic sites, day trails and information centre make this reserve a highlight on any tour to the Rain Queen’s Kingdom.

In the south of the Greater Tzaneen area, the Wolkberg is part of the massive Drakensberg range. The Reserve provides ideal tropical rain forest wilderness trails and a perfect destination for backpackers and mountain climbers.

Is situated only 96km from Tzaneen on the R71 route. This world-renowned conservation park can be entered through the Phalaborwa gate. With nearly 2-million ha of bushveld; the Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its eco-systems and is home to an impressive number of animal, bird and plant species.

Is situated 38km from Tzaneen on the Eiland Road. Hans Merensky is particularly popular for its four excellent hiking trails and is also home to the Tsonga Kraal open-air museum and the Eiland Spa resort.

This area covers a huge 18 718 ha of protected escarpment, scenic landscape, mountain vegetation and wildlife. Accommodation facilities are available with a conference room and swimming pool.

Bird life in the area is prolific, with Knysna and Purple Crested Louries, Crowned and Crested Eagles as well as the rare Black Fronted Bush Shrike, which according to the authorities, only occur here and in the Chimanimani Mountains on the Mozambique/Zimbabwe border. Mountain grasslands and forest habitats as well as the local dams provide opportunities to see birder’s specials such as Narina Trogon, Green Twinspots, Buffy –streaked Chats and Cape Parrots. Only one nesting pair of the endangered Blue Swallow has been located in the Haenertsburg region – one of the 48 breeding pairs located in South Africa and Swaziland.

Short and medium hiking trails are available in the Village of Haenertsburg and Magoebaskloof. Debegeni WaterfallJust 20 km outside Haenertsburg on the R71 towards Tzaneen is this beautiful and enchanting falls. This is a lovely spot for a picnic and toilet and braai facilities are available. There is also a short hike through the indigenous forest.