A Ververt Monkey
Tzaneen is a brilliant place to live. The people are friendly, and generally the lifestyle is incomparably wholesome. Residents’ inspiration comes from their surroundings. Tzaneen is blessed with so much natural beauty from left to right and top to bottom, and this beauty is treated with the utmost respect by the locals. If they can, they will avoid using chemicals on the land to keep it fertile. Their fun activities will never damage their environment. Instead, the residents make sure nature is left to grow as it should.
This game reserve and sanctuary for South African vervet monkeys has become a global phenomenon. Volunteers from all over the world come to stay and help. It is a joint effort that has crystallized and grown with over 500 vervet monkeys. Every year anywhere between 30 to 60 babies are born or brought to the sanctuary along with about 60 adult monkeys. Caring for the monkeys are is a full time job and the locals have assumed over 70% of the work load.
Who loves cheese?
There’s an incredible cheese farm in Tzaneen called Wegraakbosch Cheese Farm, and it embraces a traditional process of making cheese: the farm is responsible for the entire procedure, from milking the cows all the way to the finished dairy product. Even more astounding is the fact that the milk is cooked over an open fire – just like they did it many years ago. Tradition is combined with cutting edge and sustainable technologies when the product goes into a deep freeze powered by solar energy!
Who Loves Gardens and Parks?
From the name of this garden, you’d automatically assume it’s related to the popular brand, Cheerios, but Cheerio Gardens is a Japanese-styled garden in the middle of beautiful Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen. During the months of September and October, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and it’s a mouth-dropping sight to behold. You wouldn’t think you’re in the South African Lowveld.
Nearby are other gardens which also bloom around the same time, so you can enjoy a plethora of wonderful colors and shades. Cheerio Gardens is owned by the Thompson family. The land was bought by Sheila, a retired soldier way back on 1946. Together with her mother and a special Mozambican friend, they created Cheerio Gardens.
The Tzaneen Country Club
The Tzaneen Country Club is a welcome Shangri-La for most of the locals who go the club to enjoy sports like golf and tennis. The golf course has been termed a “thinking man’s” course because of the way it was designed. The main challenges in the course which could make or break a win are the 1st, 2nd and 6th holes.
The Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
Technically not found in Tzaneen, the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve is just a short ride away and to the west of the Kruger National Park. The reserve is best seen on foot where one can enjoy seeing the birds and giraffe run freely. There are hiking trails of varying distances like the Letaba Trail and the Mopane Interpretive Trail. Locals are usually seen wearing high, protective boots because snakes are also allowed to roam freely.
The Agatha Crocodile Ranch
Out of the many other fascinating attractions of Tzaneen, the Agatha Crocodile Ranch is simply astounding. While it is a tourist destination, locals still enjoy an occasional visit to watch the crocodiles and view the local art gallery. Residents are proud of their local stars like Milan, Linky, and Rufus who are all crocodiles of great stature and size.
The Legendary Baobab Trees
Finally, no mention of the grand Baobab Trees which is Tzaneen’s pride and joy would be next to blasphemy. There is a fun legend that Tzaneen locals love to tell: it is known as the Tree of Life, and endowed by the gods with great power. No one has been able to hug a Baobab tree but it doesn’t stop everyone from trying.