Tswaing

Tswaing is 2000 hectare site, some 40km north-north-west of Pretoria. The main feature of this site are a 220 000 year old meteorite impact crater, a marsh area, a variety of ecosystems, and the remains of a factory that produced soda-ash and salt.

In geological terms, the Tswaing Crater represents one of the youngest and best preserved small bowl-shaped meteorite impact crater in the world. The crater is known, both nationally and internationally, as the Pretoria Saltpan (or Zoutpan Crater).

Cross Section

Tswaing, (meaning "place of salt" in the Tswana language) constitutes a sensitive and unique conservation area for the careful management of its multiple cultural and natural resource, in the disciplenes of geology, the environmental sciences, biology, and human history. Tswaing is currently being developed by th National Cultural History Museum. This museum places strong emphasis on the protection and use of the area's herutage for purposes if research, educaction, recreation and community empowerment. All this is done in close consultation with local people, scientists and conservation-oriented institutions.

 

WHAT CAN BE EXPERIENCED?

* Guided or unguided excursions to the crater and sorroundings.

* Display to Tswaing's natural and cultural history

* Educational programmes for the school groups (by prior arrangement)

* Tswaing's indigenous African cattle, some of wich are of the
Natal Nguni type descending from the white cattle
belonging to the Zulu royal house

* One of the best birdwatching sites near Pretoria (320 bird species)

* The 7,2km Tswaing Crater Trail, South Africa's first
and only walking trail in and around a meteorite impact
crater -walk on your own, or go on a guided tour

* 420 Floral species

Birdies

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

* All visitors must first report to the reception office
* Please insist on an official receipt when paying
* Right of admission reserved
* Admittance at own risk
* No vehicles allowed inside the crater

REMEMBER:

* Bring a hat
* Wear comfortable shoes
* Bring water bottles

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Open: Throughout the year

Opening times:07h30 - 15h00. Gates close at 18h00

Entry fees:


* Unguided visits:
Adults..........................................R7.00
Children........................................R3.50

* Guided visits
Teachers....................................Free
Students:Per student.................R6.00

Alternative entrance fee
per student..........................20 empty cans

FACILITIES AND SERVICES:

* Braai areas

* Toilets

* Parking

* Open shed (for meetings and other activities)

* Camping: Per person per night......... R10.00

* Firewood:
per bundle ............................R3.00
Ten bundles ...........................R2.00
( per bundle)

* Manure:
One bag ...............................R10.00
One ton bakkie ........................R50.00
One 2/2.5 ton truck ...................R100.00

GUIDED TOURS

STANDARD TOUR

The standard tour is a combination of some enviromental
aspects of Tswaing with a short preesentation of hike
along the 7.2km (±3 hours) trail which allows children to
explore nature and culture along the way.

* Why the name tswaing?
* Origin of the crater
* Stone and Iron Age
* Soda Ash Factory
* History of the Museum

SCHOOLS:

EDUCATIONAL TOUR

CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
* Natural Vegetation
* Domestic Animals (cattle)
* Soil and Rock

TSWAING - crater museum - satelite of the Cultural History Museum

taken from a brochure published by the Natural Cultural history Museum,1997.

FOR BOOOKING AND ENQUIRIES

The Curator
Tswaing Crater Museum
P.O Box 295
Soshanguve
0164

Telphone & Fax: (012) 790-2302

 



A map to help you get to Tswaing

A article on Tswaing from the Sunday Times