Haenertsburg

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Haenertsburg is a village situated on the edge of the Great Escarpment in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Farming and tourism are the main economic activities on "The Mountain". Frequent mists and relatively high rainfall have created a lush vegetation with forest patches occupying the kloofs (gullies) which dot the rolling grasslands. Unfortunately, large areas of rare, and botanically very diverse, grassland (North-Eastern Mountain Sourveld) have been planted to timber. These monoculture plantations extract a great deal of water and the resulting water shortages downstream (in the Kruger National Park and Mozambique) are cause for concern. The scenic beauty of the Haenertsburg area attracts many tourists. It is a favoured spot for cycling, biking and fishing. Sailing and other watersports take place on nearby Ebenezer Dam. The steepest mountain pass in South Africa, Magoebaskloof, leads one down from the "Highveld" of the Haenertsburg area to the "Lowveld" adjoining the Kruger National Park. Haenertsburg is also famous for the annual Spring Fair where various crafts and flower displays are exhibited. July sees the advent of the Holistic Fair which displays the diverse creative talents of the Mountain folk. Every Friday and Saturday morning the Morning Market is run by the Duchess of Atholl.

A little-known fact is that Haenertsburg (pop 351), despite its three churches, is the yoga-capital of Limpopo Province.

The town was established in 1886 with the discovery of gold by Carl Ferdinand Haenert here.

Coordinates: 23°56′S 29°57′E