Some 220 000 years ago a blazing stony meteorite the size of half a football field slammed into the earth’s crust. The impact formed a huge crater, 1.4 km in diameter and 200m deep. This crater is one of the best-preserved meteorite impact craters anywhere in the world.

The name Tswaing means Place of Salt in Setswana, and refers to a saline lake that covers the crater floor. From 1912 to 1950 an industry producing soda ash and salt was based at the crater. Major attractions, besides the crater, are an extensive wetland system, the large variety of plant species of the Sourish-Mixed Bushveld, and 240 species of birds. From the start, the Tswaing project has invited community participation in its planning and development. Local communities have already benefitted from the museum project through job creation, skills training, environmental education, income-generating projects and tourism.

Open: 7.30am–4pm Daily
(Closed Christmas and New Year’s Days)
t 012 790 2302/082 689 9865   f 012 790 5034/322 7668
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   www.nfi.org.za