Ohrigstad

Ohrigstad is located on the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga Sou

Ohrigstad was founded in 1845 by Andries Hendrik Potgieter. He named the town after himself and George Ohrig: Andries - Ohrigstad. Ohrigstad was plagued by malaria mosquitoes and abandoned in 1848. Some inhabitants moved to the Soutpansberg Mountains, while others established a new town Lydenburg. Ohrigstad was only resettled in the 1900s when the malaria plague was controlled. The economy of Ohrigstad consists of farming of maize, beans, fruit, paprika. The Ohrigstad area is spectacularly beautiful and well worth a visit.

Founded by Andries Hendrik Potgieter in July 1845 and was officially known as ‘De Maatchappy der Zuid-Hollandsche Emigranten Binnen de 26 ste graad Zuiderbreedte achter de Portugeesche Havens’. It was changed to Andries Ohrigstad and eventually to Ohrigstad. During 1849 the town, then consisting of 40 dwellings, a few shops, government office, nearly completed church and the jail, was abandoned because of malaria. The people moved to Krugerspost and founded Lydenburg in 1850. Nothing remained of the old town. A new town was developed on another portion of land, consisting of approximately 150 residential erven of which only approximately 52 are developed. The Ohrigstad River flows through the valley. A dam was built on the farm Noupoort, 25 km south of the town. Water from the dam is used to irrigate 3337 ha of land. Although the town has a few shops, it has no banks

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Burgersfort 40 km, Lydenburg 50 km (north east)

Altitude: 1166 m above sea level

Rivers

Ohrigstad River

HISTORICAL VIEW

Abel Erasmus Pass

A National Monument. Named after Fieldcornet Jacobus Abel Erasmus. His grave is on the farm Krugerspost, 21 km to the south of the town.

Battlefield Verraaiersnek

Situated 21 km south of Ohrigstad. The graveyard and battlefield are on private property, but can be viewed with permission of the land owners.

Entrenchment

Built by Potgieter and was used to defend the residents against raiding tribes. A part of it can still be seen.

Kranskloof

Near Krugerspoort. Used to be the farm of Senator / General Schalk Willem Burgers, member of the parliament of Transvaal. The town Burgersfort was named after him. His grave can be seen here.

Stone Age Archaeology – Shelter used by Bushmen

An archaeological site explored by a department of the University of the Witwatersrand.

Voortrekker Cemetery

Some of the malaria casualties during the period 1846 – 1949 were buried here. It is situated on the Ohrigstad / Burgersfort road.

NATURE

Ohrigstad Dam & Nature Reserve

Camping, Fishing, Hiking and Game Spotting

Scenic Routes

Robbers’ Pass

It turns off the main Ohrigstad / Lydenburg road, 19 km south of Ohrigstad. Main road to Pelgrim’s Rest, Graskop and the scenic places on the escarpment.

ATTRACTIONS

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Echo Caves

Krans Art (Rock Art)

Joubert Farm Mill

Sheep dog

Niemann Farm

Avo, spices, strawberry farming and farmhouse gardening

Rosenkrans Farm

Grapes, apples, Stone and Iron Age artifacts, nature route and hiking

Shoe Art Gallery

On the road to Abel Erasmis Pass

Three Rondawels

Blyde Canyon

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

4 x 4 Routes

Hannah Lodge, Liebenberg Farm, Pierneef Farm, Obstacle Course, Rosenkrans Farm, Ruurd’s Lodge, Weltevreden Farm

Hiking Trails

Big Five Tree Walking Trail (Near Kaspersnek), Blydetivierspoort, Kranskloof Farm, Mamotale, Mount Sheba Hotel & Nature Reserve, Ohrigstad Nature Reserve, Rosekrans Farm, Ruurd’s Lodge, Themeda Hill

Horse Riding

Nooitgedacht Hiking

Accommodation in and around Ohrigstad