Coach House Hotel & Spa

The Debengeni Falls are a spectacular natural wonder located in the Magoebaskloof area of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The falls are an 80 metre drop into a large body of water at the base, and are fed by the Ramadipha River. The area surrounding the falls is lush and verdant, with more than 40 species of indigenous trees providing a wealth of ecological diversity.

The Debengeni Falls are a popular spot for picnics and swimming, as the cool waters are inviting after a hike or walk along one of the many trails in the area. The trails are also great for bird watching, as there is an abundance of avian life to be seen including grey wagtails, mountain wagtails, red-backed mannikins, African firefinches, half-collared kingfishers, African finfoots, blue-mantled crested flycatchers, rufous-chested sparrowhawks and scaly-throated honeyguides.

Mountain bikers will enjoy exploring the Debengeni Downhill Ride – a 17 kilometre trail that winds through rainforests and tea plantations. This is a challenging route with some stunning scenery along the way.

When visiting Debengeni Falls it is important to remember that there are no lifeguards on duty so visitors need to take care when swimming or climbing on rocks near the waterfall.

Wegraakbosch Cheese Farm, located in Limpopo’s Magoebaskloof, is owned by Nipper and Sylvia Thompson. Drawing inspiration from their time spent working on a Swiss dairy near the Wandel Alps in Meiringen, they decided to put the art of organic cheese-making into practice in 1986. Today this off-the-grid farm uses solar energy for power, birds for pest control and microorganisms to enrich their soil and aid with cheese production – all while adhering to the Thompsons’ vision of “Healthy people, happy animals”.

The farm has been part of the Thompson legacy since it was bought by them back in 1918. It was at that point that they began using natural farming methods to reduce harm to the environment as much as possible – something which still continues today. Water comes from a nearby spring and no pesticides or fertilizers are used; industrially produced chemicals only come into play when absolutely necessary for animal welfare reasons. The Thompsons also employ holistic farming practices which put emphasis on treating each element (soil, plants & livestock) as one system rather than separate entities; an example being nasturtiums planted around vegetables as a natural insect repellent!

Minimal machinery is used on-site too – pigs help with manure distribution while cows provide milk for handmade cheese made over an open fire with copper cauldrons – no machines involved whatsoever! A biodigester has now been installed so gas can be created from waste material collected from around Wegraakbosch Cheese Farm and used as fuel for stoves/fridges/etc., further showing how committed Nipper & Sylvia are towards sustainability principles within their business model.

This truly incredible family-run operation not only supports its local community through employment opportunities but also provides delicious organic cheeses thanks to its ethical approach towards nature – check out Brigitte Wonchowski & Googoo Thompson’s ‘From Woodbush To Wolkberg’ book if you wish to learn more about Wegraakbosch Cheese Farm’s history!

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve is an immense 18.718-ha mountain wilderness area located in the Wolkberg Mountains. The reserve offers a diversity of plant and insect species, as well as being world renowned for its rare butterfly species. The natural beauty of the crystal clear rivers and waterfalls is the primary reason to visit this attraction. Other highlights include scenic mountainous landscapes, self game drives, wildlife photography, birding, hiking, and conferencing.

Lekgalameetse means ‘Place of Water’ and the reserve is the catchment area for the Letaba River that flows East and supports the wildlife of several Limpopo game reserves near the Kruger Park. Some of the animals that can be seen at Lekgalameetse include Samango monkeys, Vervet monkeys, baboons, various types of mountain and forest antelope, as well as Narina Trogons and Cape Parrots.

The time to see butterflies at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve is from late October to November when the reserve becomes filled with them. Accommodation options include self-catering chalets in the forest next to the river or self-catering farmhouses. Hiking trails are unguided but there are also guided walks available that take in Boer War historical sites along with some of the most beautiful areas within the reserve..