Chrissiesmeer is situated in Mpumalanga “the
place of the rising sun” and is a pleasant and scenic 260km drive from Johannesburg
taking the N12 and N4 with a must stop at the ALZU Petroport which is 50kms after the Middelburg Toll Plaza.
The ALZU management have invested in the local community and the fight to save the rhino and have a few dehorned rhino roaming at ALZU! 
The ALZU N4 Petroport is a destination stop en route to holiday & event destinations. ALZU boasts rhino, zebra and a large herd of buffalo which are visible at various times of the day off several view decks, restaurants and fast food outlets. There is a well stocked 'Country and Outdoor' specialist retail shop for the adventurer, fishing and cycling enthusiast plus an exhibition of wildlife and rhino conservation knowledge on display right on the N4! Ideal for the whole family or the local or international bus tour groups to stop for an hour or two!
Another 20kms further on the N4, turn right onto the R33 to Carolina and this road map route sets the scene for a wonderful road trip
into nature’s paradise and an appreciation of the abundance of green rolling
hills, farmlands and lake landscapes! An alternative route to Chrissiesmeer is the N17.
The History of Chrissiesmeer
Ton Sanders, resident in Chrissiesmeer is an
authority on the area and a published author on both Lake Chrissie and the
Anglo Boer War which focuses on the Battle of Chrissiesmeer which took place on
6 February 1901.
Of those killed at
the battle of Chrissiesmeer, both Boer and Brit were buried in the Lake
Chrissie Cemetery. Three hundred horses were also killed or went missing! The Kaapschenhoop Wild horses close to Nelspruit are believed to be descendants of horses that survived the first World War 1914 - 1918!
Ton is a story teller
by nature and has a delightful sense of humour and can keep one entertained
for hours with interesting anecdotes and tales of days gone by and more recent events in the little village of Lake Chrissie.
Large Oak Trees
There are a number of large oak trees in the
village. Two large oaks shade the front
of the John Jack Inn and several oaks line a walk way down to the Lake.
The Lake has a tranquil charm all of its own
and it is close enough to stroll down from the John Jack Inn where one can
overnight in stylish comfort and enjoy the peacefulness of Lake Chrissie.
A rewarding stroll to the village lake with
friends or a few of the local dogs is easily accessible from the John Jack Inn. The perfect end to the day a sundowner drink
at the Billiard Room before a gourmet country dinner at McClouds. Bookings are essential.
Then one has to put ones head down at the John Jack Inn which offers classic comfort and style of a bygone era. Once your head is on the pillow you will sleep like a baby on the McClouds pillow and under a McClouds duvet! Bookings for accommodation can be made through McClouds.
Mpumalanga Lake District
The MLD is a totally unique region in Southern
Africa, perhaps even globally. It
represents the last fragment of the one of the most ancient land surfaces in
Southern Africa.
As a pan field it is also unique, and there is no
other region with such density of perennial pans in Southern Africa. The pans are in an essentially pristine state
and many equate this to paradise. The original homes still stand built from the sandstone found in the sandstone quarries. This building craftsmanship is quite something to behold based on the sheer weight of the sandstone rocks that were ported and carried from the quarry site at the lake to build homes and churches in the little village of Chrissiesmeer.
A Paradise of Calm
A road trip to Chrissiesmeer is well worth
the effort for history, bird, nature and wildflower lovers. There are specialist guides who are able to
share their knowledge with you and will gladly assist you in exploring the
local fauna and flora.
The pan field represents a local plateau of
elevated ground, amongst the highest in the Highveld region.
These various features combine to make the
Mpumalanga Lake District (MLD), as the pan field is known, a unique geomorphic
entity in the South African landscape and one that everyone should visit.
Birdlife
At Lake Chrissie
The pans and lakes range in size from 1043ha in the case of Lake Chrissie to 2 or 3ha in the case of the smallest grass pans. In dry years 80% of the pans dry up whereas in normal to wet years most of the pans retain their water throughout the year.
The pans and lakes range in size from 1043ha in the case of Lake Chrissie to 2 or 3ha in the case of the smallest grass pans. In dry years 80% of the pans dry up whereas in normal to wet years most of the pans retain their water throughout the year.
A few of the pans are reed covered providing cover for skulking birds such as
night herons, crakes, rails and swamp hens, the reeds also provide roosts and
nesting sites for cormorants, egrets, glossy ibises, spoonbills and swallows.
78 different species have been recorded.
In the dry years the predominating birds were flamingoes, Cape Teal, Avocets
and migrant waders.
In contrast in the wet years – the predominant birds are grebes, Egyptian and Spurwing Geese, Yellow-billed Duck, Pochard, Coot, Glossy Ibis and Stilts. The two geese are the most numerous birds on Lake Chrissie. It should be borne in mind they feed and breed on land and only moult and preen on the pan edges.
Rainfall and the level of the pans and lakes play a very important role in birding in this area. The first waders arrive in September. The best time for birding will be from September to March. Most of the guest houses provide birding route maps. The route is a circular drive of 60 km, mainly gravel road. Best birding spots are marked on the maps.
Lake Chrissie's panveld is unique in terms of occurring in a high rainfall area
(743 mmpa average over 55 years).
Annual
Wildflower Day - Saturday 31 January 2015
Join the Friends of Chrissiesmeer for a wonderful day in the country. For further info and bookings:
