Magaliesberg

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Hamerkop Kloof in the Magaliesberg

The Magaliesberg Mountains are a mountain range in South Africa in the provinces of West and Gauteng. It extends in an east-west direction approximately from Pretoria to Rustenburg and from there with a northern extension to the south of the Pilanesberg.

The Magaliesberg Mountains are among the oldest mountains on earth. They formed about two billion years ago, when it was broken up and lifted the earth's crust by rising magma. Due to his advanced age, the mountain is heavily eroded. The highest point, about the middle of the mountain range reaches 1,853 meters above sea level. The surrounding Highveld is about 1,500 meters high.

The Voortrekkers defeated in the Magaliesberg Zulu leader Mzilikazi. As a result, here Buren settled and achieved in their fields rather high yields. In the Second Boer War several battles were fought in the Magaliesberg. The built 1923 Hartbeespoort Dam is located in the eastern part of the Magaliesberg Mountains.

Within the Magaliesberg Mountains are several nature reserves, including the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve in Rustenburg and the Mountain Sanctuary Park in Buffelspoort.

Pictures

The mountain range of the Magaliesberg ( and Pilanesberg - top left)

The Tonquani Gorge in the Magaliesberg

Landscape in the Mountain Sanctuary Park