TSHWANE NATURAL SPLENDOUR
TOUR
Meet and depart for Tswaing Meterite Crater, passing Wonderboom Nature Reserve and
Airport
Some 220 000 years ago a blazing stony meteorite the size of half a football field slammed into
the earth’s crust. The impact formed a huge crater, 1.4 km in diameter and 200 m deep. This
crater is one of the best-preserved meteorite impact craters in the world. The name Tswaing
means Place of Salt in Setswane, and refers to a saline lake that covers the crater floor. From
1912 to 1950 an industry producing soda ash and salt was based at the crater. Major
attractions, besides the crater, are an extensive wetland system, the large variety of plant
species of the Sourish-Mixed Bushveld, and 240 species of birds. From the start, the Tswaing
project has invited community participation in its planning and development. Local communities
have already benefited from the Museum project through job creation, skills training,
environmental education, income-generating projects and tourism.
Wonderboom Nature Reserve and Airport
The Wonderboom Nature Reserve is situated in the northern part of the city and straddles the
Magaliesberg Mountains. This 200 ha reserve is famous for its magnificent specimen of Ficus
salicifolia, a wild fig called the "Wonderboom".
The fig tree is older than 1 000 years, and legend has it that it grew this big because the chief of
an indigenous tribe lies buried beneath its roots. It is recorded that the tree was once big
enough to shade 1 000 people at a time, or 22 ox wagons with 20 oxen in front of each! Today it
is much smaller – probably because of the devastating fire in 1870 started by a hunting party, or
because of a parasitic infestation, which put it in quarantine for 20 years. Over the years the
branches have grown longer, hanging lower and lower until they touched the ground, rooted
and produced a circle of daughter trees. There are now three circles of daughter trees
surrounding the original tree.
Come and see this amazing tree, and take the interpretation trail from our new boardwalk in and
around the tree.
Depart for Dinokeng Game Reserve, short stop at the Mandela Square
***Enjoy lunch at Kwalata Game Ranch ***
Game drive of Dinokeng Game Reserve
Dinokeng Game Reserve, just over 30 minutes north of Pretoria on N1 Highway, 1 hour from
OR Tambo International airport. The first free roaming lion and elephant in over a hundred years
in the Tshwane Metro, Gauteng Province.
Here in the malaria free bushveld we offer you a Big 5 experience. Through this web site we will
help you to maximise your Dinokeng Game Reserve experience. You can find your ideal
accommodation options, game drives, activities and that special place for your unique event
from Weddings to week-end getaways.
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