South Africa has a strong mining history. The province of Mpumalanga has many great holiday spots and lots of touristy things to do. Quite a few of them have a mining history.

The Mac Mac pools is such a place. This great picnic site allows you to swim in the pools created (mostly) naturally by the waterfalls in the area. Fresh mountain water, beautiful rolling green hills and leafy trees to sit under - what more could you ask for?

According to www.exploresouthafrica.net, alluvial gold was found in this river in 1873 by Johannes Muller. Gold diggers claimed sections of the river to seek their wealth. The fourth South African president, Thomas Francolis Burgers (presidency 1871-1877) apparently named the area of this river Mac Mac as a large majority of the people he met were of Scottish origin.

Herewith some photos of the pools as they look today:

About the Blogger

Ashley Wilkinson is a young South African who enjoys blogging about 'random topics with an African angle' on her blog, aptly entitled 'African Angle.'