From time to time we receive enquiries from our customers, but also in general, about outdoor activities other than flyfishing at Treeferns Trout Lodge and elsewhere. Therefore we think it appropriate to publish some info in this regard on our web site for the convenience of visitors to our web. We trust it will be of some value. Of course the list will not be complete by any means, and will be added on as information become available. Anybody who wants to contribute, will be more than welcome. We are also prepared to exchange links ( See “Links” ). Our web averages just about 100  hits per day for the past 6 months.

The main activities in our immediate surroundings we are aware of are hiking, horse riding, game viewing and hunting, birds of prey demonstrations, and 4×4 trails.

Hiking.

A number of hiking trails are available in the area of which those in the Steenkamps Mountains are best known. Treeferns Trout Lodge also has a new trail in the beginning stage of development. See “Hiking” on this web site.

Horse riding.

Horse riding in South Africa with its fine weather and beautiful scenery is a very popular outdoor sport.  The Eastern Highveld and Trout Triangle are no exception and offers fabulous riding. Many horse trails and horse riding opportunities are within easy reach of Treeferns Trout Lodge, and references are available.

Game

A few neighbouring farms also stock various types of game either for viewing and/or shooting, viz. eland, blesbuck, zebra, wildebeest, etc.

Flying Displays (birds of prey)

Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre offers flying displays  with informative and educational talks on the habits and behaviour of birds of prey.

4×4 Trails

Mpumalanga and particularly the Eastern Escarpment boasts some spectacular scenery for four wheel driving. There are numerous fantastic 4×4 routes in this beautiful mountainous region. Vlakfontein farm, home base of Treeferns Trout Lodge, with its uneven rough terrain, is ideally suitable for 4-wheel driving offering breathtaking views.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is also very popular, and beautiful scenery can be explored with many exciting and rocky routes.

Photography

The area and Treeferns Trout Lodge alike also attract the keen photographer who wants to capture the most beautiful scenes, sun rises, sun sets, flowers, birds, game, rock formations.

More information.

Contact details of  venues are available at Mpumalanga Tourism, 086 010 4069, web address www.mpumalangatourism.info and Dullstroom Reservations, (013)254-0254, www.dullstroom.biz

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The NZASM Tunnel is very close to Treeferns Trout Lodge, and an interesting sight for a morning  outing.

A breeding pair of Blue cranes.

       T

ulips from Belfast”,  at the annual  tulip festival  in September each year.

Various Places of Interest

The region offers many places of interest and recreational opportunities, particularly trout fishing. Historical landmarks include the monument erected at Belfast in commemoration of the nearby Battle of Berg-en-dal (1900) and the NZASM-tunnel and the five-arch bridge between Waterval-Boven and Nelspruit. Sight-seeing opportunities include the well-known tulip farm at Belfast, the Steenkamps Mountains near Dullstroom and the Verlorenvalley Wattled Crane Reserve, both of which have hiking trails.