Vuka-Tsoga Wakkerstroom (Wake up - Arise)

There are 100 reasons to fall in love with this charming Mpumalanga village. The wetland hugs the village to the north. This is a top-ranking birding destination! Relaxing in a hide in the middle of a winters day, watching the antics of the yellow billed ducks, rednobbed coots and moorhens, a flash of color brings my attention to a tiny malachite kingfisher as it hovers, dives and settles on a reedstalk. One finds a sense of peace in this tranquil place regardless of the activity of the birdlife around you.

Otters are seen near the bridge and Meerkats in the fields along the old airport road. This is not just a birding paradise. Martins Dam, to the east of the wetland and Zaaihoek Dam to the southwest gives the discerning fisherman or lady ample angling opportunities

Wakkerstroom is slowly waking up. Movies such as "Vrou soek Boer" was filmed here a few years ago and soon the village will have its own 'Bioscope' once again. The beautifully restored barn will also be used for functions and no doubt it will become a popular wedding venue

Before renovations.....

The Wakkerstroon info center is also situated here. The history of the village goes beyond the Anglo Boer War and there's no one better than Chris Smit to take you back to days gone by. He is the oldest resident and a living legend, was the town clerk for 14, the mayor for 16 years and was the first champion of the wetland. The San inhabited the area centuries before the arrival of the Nguni people and recordings are found in the surrounding hills by means of rock art. Chris will guide you to these and many more places of historical interest. Above the town rises Ossewakop and its twin Scotch Hill. It is said this peak inspired Sir Ryder Haggard (of King Solomon's Mine), who stayed in Wakkerstroom in the 1870's

Country shopping is a relaxed and enjoyable affair and Abundance is a delight for the shopping senses and lives up to its name. Refill an empty glass bottle with olive oil at the Refill Shoppe, hook up at the internet cafe, freshly baked bread is impossible to ignore so pop into the Bakery or stock up on real free range eggs at the Crows Nest.

You'll find delicious homemade cheeses

and yoghurt at Oom Theuns' Deli

The craft beer trend has found its way to the village in the form of the Owl and Hare craft brewery and the local Country Inn has been refurbed and re-launched

The Garret Emporium serves up atmosphere and ambiance together with delicious meals. A Roaring fire to warm up cold days or a cool veranda on a hot summer day, this is a perfect meeting place

For second hand treasures, browse around Bits and Pieces or the House of Baxburg's Antique Furniture Store.

Looking for art in the Wakkerstroom area has never been easier: www.artramblewakkerstroom.co.za has all the info, including demonstrations and workshops of the various artists and crafters around town. The Art Ramble is in its 4th year. The surrounding hills also come alive to classical music annually and the Wakkerstroom Music Festival has become a highlight of cultural life in the village.

Superb guest houses, B&B's and self catering cottages cater to a wide variety of budgets.

Die Oude Stasie has a few lovely shaded camp sites. The history of this station is facinating!

Water from the Barber's pole water column was used to fill watertrains from the abundant stream in Wakkerstroom for the drought raveged town of Volksrust in the early 1980's

Todays image of the Baber's pole water column

From Wakkerstrom to Buitzenzorg on a cold winters morning in 1983

March 1983 near Sukkelaar on route to Volksrust

Wakkerstrooms'taxi service' with the Short Tendered 19D in the background

The 'Oude Stasie' is now a pub, restaurant and camp site but if you close your eyes and sit oh so quietly, you might just hear a steam trumpet tooting on the still morning air

Enjoy a horseride or cycle the surrounding countryside, offroad biking, drive a stunning route, take in a meal, coffee and cake or just relax and breath in the country air. Chat up a local (there are no village idiots, everyone takes a turn, I'm told!) and you'll find the wide awake people bring this sleepy village to life!

Eastern view - Drakensberg towards Piet Retief

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