About Us
LOCATION
Salpeterkrans is situated 40km north of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga, in the Draaibed valley and is surrounded by the breathtaking Steenkamp mountains. De Berg, which is 2331m, is the highest peak in Mpumalanga and lies east of Salpeterkrans. From Dullstroom you have the option to drive on either the Tonteldoos gravel road 33km at the Cheese Shop and The Planter's Pub & Grill on Tonteldoos 20km north of Dullstroom, or the Nederhorst / The Mountain Road with 17km gravel road and at Lost Valley Nature Reserve pass to salpeterkrans drive. The distance for both routes is the same and join the Roossenekal / Lydenburg R577.
CLIMATE
Winter
It is nice and cold in winter and frost forms regularly from 15 May to end of July. The wintertime is great because of the fireplace, red wine and Jack Daniels / Jameson nights. While braaing outside, and staring at the outline of the mountain under the bright clear sky, you can sometimes hear the cry of a fox who cried to his friend. The altitude of the lodges vary around 1765m.
Summer
From October to the first spring rains, it begins to turn green and you can feel the seasons turning. The yellow varkoor / arum Zantedeschia pentlandii, flowers soon after the first rains in October with a pink flower time in November and December is endemic to the area and to flower as long as the end of February! It has been described as the perfect flower. The river flows more in midsummer rainy season but running relatively quickly after rain.
GEOGRAPHY & BIODIVERSITY
The field type is predominantly Bankenveld which actually a transition between the rolling grassland on the back of Steenkamp Mountain and Valley Bushveld in the Steelpoort Valley. It is approximately 25km north of Salpeterkrans where the Klip River flows into the Steelpoort river and where De Hoop dam is being built. All three rivers are part of the Olifants River catchment area of the Kruger Park and Mozambique over the sea.
The variety of flora and fauna is unique and because of this Salpeterkrans was invited by the Mpumalanga Parks Board to join a very exclusive red area on the map. Specific management guidelines will be followed to preserve the bio-varsity of this area. Salpeterkrans is now planning a native plant nursery open to the public to give you the opportunity to grow these native species in your own back yard and thus attract more butterflies and birds to your garden.