Mpumalanga and Limpopo are provinces synonymous with lush South African bushveld. South Africa’s Northern Province Limpopo is the land of myths, legends, beautiful scenery and landscape, as well as majestic Baobab trees. Limpopo is typical of Africa hence it has become a favourite destination for leisure and adventure travellers worldwide. Mpumalanga is divided in two sides by the Drakensberg escarpment, the western side consisting high-altitude grasslands and the eastern side a low altitude subtropical savannah habitat. This area boasts some of the most breathtaking natural beauty that you would find anywhere in the world, true treasures in the bushveld.
Dullstroom is a small town situated only 2 hours away from Pretoria and 3 hours from Johannesburg and is well known as a safe tourist destination where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as fly-fishing, endless kilometers of mountain biking and horse riding. Property in the area comprises a mixed bag from working farms and guest farms to village properties which is categorized as permanent residences and luxury holiday homes. These properties are also rented out over weekends and generate a good return on investment.
“Most of our properties are of a leisure / second home nature. The second home market has taken a definite knock during the recession period and sales in 2011 were very slow, says Charmane Horn team leader of Engel & Vӧlkers Dullstroom. “Average farms in the area start in the 2 million ZAR mark for a typical weekend farm, and up to 10 million ZAR for a working farm. Village stands are in the region of 350 000 ZAR and homes average around 1.5 million ZAR. In 2012 the area enquiries has increased with a rapid velocity” she concluded.
Further east about 320km from Pretoria, is Nelspruit a city surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and with a subtropical climate. It is the ideal area for citrus fruit farming and forestry, and perfect for either investing in developments, buyers looking for holiday homes or anyone looking to move away from the metropolis areas to the quite bushveld suburbs of the low-veld. “We are currently focused on the Elawini Lifestyle Estate. What makes this estate note worthy is the fact that it is the only lifestyle estate in Nelspruit with a completed and fully functional central facility which includes a gym, 25m lap swimming pool, squash court, and the estate offers stands right next to the beautiful Nelsriver, says Kobus Bosman LicencePartner of Engel & Vӧlkers Nelspruit. “Full title stands with an average size of 800m², are selling from 410 000 ZAR. Building packages with a private stand fenced off with a brick perimeter wall start at 1,2 million ZAR, a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom sectional title duplex with 2 carports for 845 000 ZAR and single storey 3bedroom, 2 bathroom sectional title units with a double garage are going for 1,045 million ZAR. Building contracts depending on structure and finishes are around 6000 ZAR per m² (excluding the stand),” Kobus added.
Moving north into the Limpopo province nestled between the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon you find the small agricultural and tourism town of Hoedspruit. Hoedspruit finds itself in an enviable position today because of its access to the private game areas of the Timbavati and Klasirie. Properties in the area can range anything from 600 000 ZAR for a medium sized house up to 50 million ZAR for a game farm. This Area is perfect for investors looking to buy a game farm to use as a holiday destination or buyers looking for a second home.
Mpumalanga and Limpopo are truly provinces with hidden treasures around every corner. It is home to lushes green vegetation, some astonishing mountain ranges and is an investor’s paradise. Looking at all these outstanding features this province has to offer.
