Interesting Attractions in Groot Marico
There are a number of towns across the world that only become known due to some strange twist of fate. This is the case with Groot Marico. It is a small country town, where the pace of life is slow and things are run the way they have been for centuries. It is a quiet, quaint little town which has excluded itself from the modernization of the rest of the world.
A young teacher named Herman Charles Bosman came from Johannesburg to take up a post at a local school. Herman got to know his neighbours and soon started documenting their habits, foibles beliefs and strengths in a fond and humorous way in a series of popular books.
The many art galleries, coffee shops and mampoer (similar to moonshine) distilleries that offer tasting trips are a few of the interesting attractions in Groot Marico. Another rewarding visit would be to the eye of Marico, a crystal clear spring where the Marico rises. Groot Marico is situated about 2 hours by road from Pretoria along the R27, which continues to Botswana. The nearest airport is situated at Pilanesberg, however; O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is only about 3 hour's drive away.
Many Tall Tales
The Madikwe Game Reserve is situated on the old route into Botswana. Many tall tales are told about the journeys north through there. A great place to hear these stories is at a bar in Groot Marico. Guests can also try to get a copy of the books written by Bosman, filled with humorous anecdotes and funny stories about the people and legends of the area.
Were it not for mampoer and the writings of Herman Charles Bosman, Groot Marico would probably have remained a little-known backwater. Although the area was settled around 1845, the town was only established over a century later, in 1948, on the farm Wonderboom. Mampoer, a potent home-distilled spirit made from peaches and other soft fruit, is still produced in the district.
