Naboomspruit (H 6)

Name: Naboomspruit

Naboomspruit is a town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Mookgophong/Naboomspruit is a typical South African town. Naboomspruit is a charming town at the foot of the Swaershoek Mountains

Naboomspruit has changed it's name to Mookgophong. Mookgophong/Naboomspruit is a typical South African town. Naboomspruit is a charming town at the foot of the Swaershoek Mountains surrounded by peaceful nature reserves and steaming hot springs. The mellow Bushveld climate and attractive resorts in the area attract many holidaymakers. The settlement dates back to the late 1800s when it was an outspan area for the Pretoria-Polokwane (Pietersburg) mail coach. Although a village eventually developed round a railway station on the farm "Naboomspruit" ("naboom" being the Afrikaans name for the massive candelabra tree Euphorbia ingens growing in profusion on the banks of the nearby "spruit"), the town owes its growth to the discovery of minerals in the early 1900s.

The discovery of tin in the Naboomspruit region led to a "tin rush" in 1910 and turned this humble village into a pulsating boom town of speakeasies, tents, cabarets and trading stores. A later discovery of platinum added to the development. Tin and fluorspar are still mined here. It also has a thriving farming industry (cattle, maize, tobacco, groundnuts and citrus fruit).

Today Mookgophong is an attractive town with its clean tree-lined streets, while retaining the distinctive charm and atmosphere of being steeped in history. Apart from the numerous holiday resorts that have developed around its hot springs, the area offers something for everybody.

There are numerous trails and opportunities for leisurely walks and hiking tours where lovers of the outdoors can enjoy the unique Bushveld flora of the beautiful Waterberg. Various interesting motor routes can also be followed to explore this exciting district.

Mookgophong boasts a rich variety of game and birds. Nylsvley, close by, is known for its water birds. Rare rhinos form part of the Malatipark game collection. Angling in the Frikkie Geyser Dam is good.

There are exciting prospects for game and bird hunting. A number of private game ranches in the Mookgophong region provide excellent facilities for trophy hunting.


Google count: 103,000 for Naboomspruit.
Date: 13 March 2010

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

How to get there: Routes: N1, R101, R519, R520