6 Swoon at the view
Kings Walden Garden Manor is a luxurious place overlooking the northern Drakensberg, and it has a romantic history. In the 1930s a young woman called Elsie Dickson was apparently admiring the view with manor owner Billo Tooley. “I never want to leave this place,” she said. Billo didn’t miss a beat: “Marry me and you’ll never have to,” he said. They tied the knot soon after. Decades later, on the night Elsie passed away, a bolt of lightning struck the bluegum tree at the very viewpoint where Billo had proposed. The lightning tree is still on the property, near one of the most dramatic views in Limpopo. It’s a good spot for a sundowner. There’s also a big garden with roses, St Joseph’s lilies, agapanthus, fountains and a swimming pool. Day visitors can spend time in the garden and order a picnic basket from the restaurant. Where? 20 km south-east of Tzaneen next to Old Coach Road. GPS: S23.92029 E30.15325 Cost: Free for day visitors. If you want to stay over, the manor has six double rooms with rates from R1 030 per person, breakfast included. Dinner is a four-course affair (R361 per person). Contact: 015 307 3262; kingswalden.co.za
Make eye contact with a crocodile
Agatha Crocodile Ranch is on an avocado farm near Tzaneen. The farm was established in 1978 when Blanka Darazs bought her husband Milan two baby crocs. The big enclosure has 220 Nile crocodiles and most of them are longer than three metres. Guide Sam Bopape shows me around on a tour that lasts about an hour. I even get to hold a baby crocodile. We walk over to the enclosure – basically a fenced waterhole – where most of the crocodiles are relaxing in the sun on small “islands” with palm trees. Sam knows his crocs and points out the most famous resident: 4,2 m Rufus – the biggest croc in the enclosure and nearly 50 years old! Next we walk along the elevated walkway to the middle of the waterhole. I’m so close to the crocodiles that I make awkward eye contact with one of them. Sam throws in a few dead chickens. At first the crocs are sluggish, but then they shuffle closer and drag their meals back to the water. Croc farms don’t change much. The tour reminds me of similar tours I did in my youth and I’d imagine the next generation must love it here. After the tour I buy some crocodile droëwors at the curio shop. Tastes like chicken! Where? The farm is about 13 km south of Tzaneen, via the R36. GPS: S23.90788 E30.13042 Opening times: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Entrance fee: R125 per adult; R75 per child aged 3 – 12; R22 per person to feed a crocodile. There are special rates for groups, and educational tours. Contact: 015 307 4398; agatha-crocodile.co.za