Belfast (a.k.a. eMakhazeni) is situated on the Mpumalanga Highveld. The climate ranges from moderate summers to very cold winters. Belfast is one of the highest towns in South Africa. It is surrounded by a number of collieries - it falls within the Mpumalanga “coal belt”. The district produces maize, potatoes and timber. Apart from coal, black granite is also mined here.
Belfast is especially renowned for excellent trout fishing. Another claim to fame is that Belfast exports tulip bulbs to Holland. This is because of the cold winters. The flowers are discarded and about 6 million bulbs are exported to Holland each year.
During the South African War (Anglo-Boer war) a number of battles and some skirmishes took place in this vicinity. Among them were the battles of Leliefontein and Monument Hill. In the second phase of the war, the British realised that the Boer women, who kept on farming and providing the Boers with victuals and intelligence, played a vital role. They resorted to the 'scorched earth' policy (burnt down farms and homesteads) and put the women and children in concentration camps, one of which was erected at Belfast.
The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
Mpumalanga Province lies to the north-east of South Africa. In the Mpumalanga Highveld you’ll find grassland savanna and trout-fishing villages. The Mpumalanga Lowveld is known for fruit farms, game farms, private game reserves and the Kruger National Park. In between lies the spectacular escarpment and Blyde River Canyon.