Piet Retief

Piet Retief is a pretty mid-sized forestry industry town in Mpumalanga, situated in the ‘Assegai Valley’ very near the border with Swaziland at the Mahamba Border Post, though the history of the town goes back far further than the development of the present day commerce and industry.

Piet Retief is named after one of South Africa’s most prominent Boer Leaders, who was killed by Zulu King Dingaan in the 1800’s, and the history of the town is focal in Afrikaaner History. There are many beautiful examples of Boer architecture, particularly churches.

The area around Piet Retief is dominated by forestry plantations, with many opportunities for outdoor activities – from 4×4 trails, MTB to hiking. Fly-fshing and birding are also popular outdoor activities in the area.

Piet Retief is a popular stop over for travellers from Gauteng to Swaziland and the northern stretches of the Kwazulu Natal Coast bordering Swaziland and southern Mozambique.

Getting there: From Johannesburg take the N17 east to Ermelo, then turn off on to the N2 for Piet Retief.