Memel means ‘a place surrounded by waters’ in old Prussian, and this pristine little dorp can hardly have a more appropriate name. The small town in the Free State is very close to the border of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal province.
It is a nature lover's paradise of note, and its location right in the centre of a spectacular, internationally recognised RAMSAR Wetlands site - the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve on the Klip River - lures birders from around the globe to this Free State dorpie.
The nearby presence of the Drakensberg Mountains (only 25 km away), unparalleled star-gazing and the ecological drawcard of the magnificent Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve have attracted an eclectic crowd. Many artists, photographers and musicians have down-scaled to Memel to revel in this haven of tranquillity.
Abundant water means the grass in Memel can grow over 2 m tall - higher than a man’s head - and this was one of the key reasons for early settlement. The Dutch Reformed Church stands tall in the town, which was built in the early 20th century.
A must-do on your mountain-biking list should be the dual-track exploration in the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve. Search for almost mythical gr...