Tzaneen is a large tropical garden town situated in a lush, high rainfall fertile region. It is Limpopo’s second largest town after Polokwane.

Tzaneen is derived from a Northern Sotho word ‘Tsaneng’, which means gathering place or ‘Tsana’ (basket of hills).

Tzaneen is Limpopo’s paradise and it has been nicknamed ‘Land of Silver Mist’ because of the frequent mist that occur on the mountains above it. It is located in lush, tropical surroundings and is home to Limpopo’s highest mountain, the Iron Crown Mountain, lying more than 2200 m above sea level.

The Iron Crown mountain, also known by its Afrikaans name Wolkberg, supports Limpopo’s biodiversity and is home to South Africa’s second largest indigenous forest after Tsitsikamma forest in the Eastern Cape. Weather can change very fast from clear skies to being misty, with the highest reaches enveloped in clouds.

The economy of Tzaneen depends largely on farming fruits, vegetables, animals and timber. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of Tzaneen, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured its development.

A wide range of fruit are grown in the Tzaneen area, notably mangoes, bananas, oranges, tomatoes and avocados. Pine and eucalyptus plantations are also a common sight in the area around the town, particularly toward Modjadjiskloof, Magoebaskloof and Haenertsburg. The plantations serve a number of sawmills located in the area.

Attractions in and around Tzaneen include:

– Magoebaskloof and George’s Valley, the circular drive to Haenertsburg

– Debengeni Waterfall in Magoebaskloof.

– The Vervet Monkey Foundation is located just outside Tzaneen where it cares for over 600 vervet monkeys.

– The Crocodile Farm in Agatha