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Lydenburg Production centre
Situated on the Drakensberg escarpment at the foot of the Long Tom Pass, this complex of buildings, gardens and ponds was previously under the control of the Transvaal Provincial Administration. The fish hatchery, gardens and aquarium are in the process of being completely redesigned and refurbished, and a number of exciting visitor facilities are in the planning stage. Lydenburg lies on one of the main tourist routes between Gauteng and the wildlife-rich lowveld, and this centre is set to become a popular stopping point for travelers.
The mainstay of the complex will be the extensive fish hatchery of aerated ponds which will provide hatchlings and processed fish to the marketplace. The Rainbow Trout is an exotic species native to North Africa, and is now an important component of the tourism and recreation industry.
An indigenous plant nursery, which will propagate threatened species as wll as proven garden subjects, will meet the needs of plant enthusiasts and landscape artists. Special attention will also be given to the cultivation of rarer muti plants as a means of alleviating pressure on wild populations.
Lydenburg has always been a popular destination for birdwatchers, with representatives of the highveld, escarpment and bushveld being present. Close to 200 species have been recorded at the centre itself, with migratory waders, warbles and seedeaters being among the most interesting.
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