Ohrigstad

Afrikaans name: Ohrigstad

Ohrigstad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Mpumalanga

Ohrigstad is a small town that is part of the "panorama route" that features scenic attractions in Mpumalanga. It is close to a number of beautiful and interesting locations such as God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon. The town was founded in 1845, by Hendrik Potgieter of the Great Trek fame, who built a fort on the site and named it Andries-Ohrigstad. Today it is known as Ohrigstad. The town got off to a bad start as it was plagued with mosquito's, causing it to be abandoned after only 3 years. It was resettled in the early 1900's.

The town serves an extensive farming community in the surrounding region. Amongst the various crops grown are fruit, maize and paprika. In 1873 the area caught the attention of gold miners when gold was found in the Selati River.

There is much to do for the tourists to the area. Besides the scenic places mentioned above one can visit Echo Caves, go hiking or indulge in some fly-fishing.

What is there to do near Ohrigstad?

Above - Main street through Ohrigstad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 39

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 288

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 255

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 157

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 127

Country Life - Issue 250 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 31

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 182

Country Life - Issue 257 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 53

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 320

For more info: South African History Online

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