Tswaing

Tswaing (meaning place of salt in Setswana), features mainly a 220 000 year old meteorite impact crater approximately 70 meters deep and 1,3km in diameter. There is a variety of ecosystems, a wetland and the remains of a factory that produced soda ash and salt at the beginning of the 19th century. The 1 946 hectare conservation area comprises mostly acacia bushveld, broad-leafed and riverine vegetation. Over 240 bird species have been recorded, the bulk being typical Acacia Bushveld birds, including Golden-tailed and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Acacia Pied Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, African Grey, Yellow-billed and Red-billed Hornbills, Lilac-breasted Roller, Green Wood-Hoopoe, Black-headed Oriole, Marico and White-bellied Sunbirds, Green-winged Pytilia, Jameson's Firefinch and Common Waxbill. Fairy Flycatchers, one of the intra-South African winter migrants, are frequently seen. Waterfowl and waders are found on the shoreline in the crater as well as at the river to the northeast. Both Cape and Whitebacked vultures frequent the area. There is a resident, breeding pair of African Hawk-Eagles. Other raptors include Wahlberg's Eagle as well as various Hawks, Buzzards, Goshawks, Falcons and Kestrels. Be on the lookout for the melanistic form of Gabar Goshawk. Owls to be found are Barn, White-faced, African Scops and Pearl-spotted Owlets. Spurfowl and Francolins abound, with the most common being Swainson's and Natal. Red-crested Korhaan is more often heard than seen. In summer many swallows and swifts can be found over the crater and higher lying bushveld. A day visit is not really long enough to explore this exceptional reserve and at the very reasonable tariffs, it is worthwhile spending a few days discovering the secrets that it has to offer. Birding is good all year round.

Directions

Take the R21-North to Pretoria (Tshwane). After ± 40km turn onto the N1-North to Polokwane. After 30km exit at the Pyramid/Wallmannsthal off-ramp and turn left towards Pyramid. Turn right onto the R101 when you reach the t-junction. After ± 6.5km turn right at the Rooiwal/Mabopane sign and follow the road to the left to pass over the bridge. Continue on this road until you reach a t-junction (M35). Turn right and keep straight on the M35 (you will pass through the residential area of Kudube/Hammanskraal) till you see a sign on your left to Tswaing, which is just before Soutpan Trading Store. The entrance is ± 2.4km further on you right. Allow for one and a half hours of travelling time from OR Tambo International Airport.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude: E 28° 05,978'
Longitude: S 25° 24,946'

Facilities

Picnic and camping site with ablution block and ample parking.
Group accommodation (max. 64 people) in Kgotla comprising four units in three ethnic styles, each sleeping 16 people clustered around a central "boma" with kitchen and ablution facilities. Only mattresses are provided. All bedding, utensils and food must be brought along. Reservations are essential.
Four hiking / biking trails between 7 and 10km long; amongst them the 7,2km crater trail, the only one of its kind in the world.
Guided crater walks with Tswaing staff by prior arrangement.
Displays of Tswaing's natural and cultural history.
With prior arrangement it can be arranged to drive around instead of walking.

Contact numbers

Reception Office: +27(0)83-207-7198
Manager: +27(0)83-505-2271

Additional Information

Day visitors: Adults R15.00, Children R10.00.
Guided trail walks: Standard admission fee plus R80.00 per guide.
Camping: R25.00 per night excluding admission fees.
Overnight accommodation: Adults R35.00, Children under 12 R23.00 pp per night.

Gate opening and closing times Open every day of the year except December 25th and January 1st.
	Open	Close
Summer	07H30	16H00
Winter	07H30	16H00