Currency Menu

Mpumalanga Introduction

Sub-tropical Mpumalanga, meaning “the place where the sun rises”, covers 79 490 square kilometers, and is bounded by the Greater Kruger National Park, Swaziland, and Mozambique to the awe inspiring Drakensburg mountains to the west. A truly remarkable region of contrasts is experienced. Highveld grasslands dominate the western border with Gauteng, moving eastwards through bushveld landscape to the Greater Escarpment, overlooking the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park.
 

MPUMALANGA ~ THE PANORAMA ROUTE
The Panorama abounds breathtaking views from natural wonders, offering a world of both beauty and that of adventure. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. The province lends itself to an area of history, scenic and wild life diversity. Mpumalanga, certainly in South African context, rates as one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. This area occupies the eastern slopes of the Mpumalanga Escarpment and is truly a spectacular scenic wonder world. This sunshine province covers almost 80 000 square km’s from rolling highlands to the lush wetlands and haughty escarpment. The area also lends its beauty to pristine bushveld and wilderness areas, as well as the vast tracks of man made commercial forests. The provincial process commenced with the identification of seven tourism sections and developed the following tourism routes: Lowveld Legogote, Wild Frontier, Panorama, Highlands Meandor, Cultural Heartland, Grass and Wetlands as well as the Cosmos Country. Collectively these seven areas make up the entire Mpumalanga Province. Attractions are varied and include the “Big Five”, natural wonders such as the cascading waterfalls, caves, interesting rock formations, bird watching, hiking trails, river rafting, hot air ballooning, 4 x 4 adventures, historical sites and villages, old wagon routes, gold panning, to name but a few.
 

Dullstroom
Certainly nothing DULL about this fast growing little town. This town boasts itself as South Africa’s premier fly-fishing mecca. For those fish lovers it is a small drinking town with a fishing problem. Trout were introduced in the early 1900’s to many rivers in the area. For the adventurous fisherman, Bass, Carp and Kurper provide more of an adventure and challenge. On a more serious note, Dutch immigrants settled on the farm of Grootsuikerboskop and Elandslaagte in 1884 and 1887. Dullstroom was named after the Chairman of the group at the time – Wolterus Dull. The picturesque village was the scene of bloody battles during the Anglo Boer War as far back as 100 years ago. Visit Joe, who’s father started the Blue Shop tackle store in the 1920’s. When Joe, who’s passionate about fishing took over the business 50 years ago, he imported the first fly tackle Dullstroom had ever seen and has been selling fly tackle ever since. That just might make him the longest serving fly fishing tackle dealer in South Africa. He does not fish much anymore, but after they built the big lake in the town he fished it everyday for 15 years.
Visitors to this area, especially the Verloren Valei Nature Reserve have the privilege of witnessing three of the world’s endangered crane species which are The Wattled Crane, The Crowned Crane and the Blue Crane, being the national bird of South Africa.
 

Lydenberg
This is the largest town on the Meander, and is situated at the foothills of 55.6 km Long Tom Pass, which has an even older history. It was once the capital of its own independent republic, and still holds claim to fame that it is some of the better preserved Zuid Afrikaanse and Old Transvaal architecture in the country. Lydenberg, which means ‘the place of suffering’ was founded by the pioneering Voortrekkers fleeing from Malaria and the scorching heat of the lower lying areas in the early 1800’s. Places of interest in Lydenberg include the Mashishing Township, The Museum, and the Lydenberg freshwater aquarium which offers hands on experience in the Water focus centre.

Sabie
Situated centrally and within an area of stunning beauty, Sabie is an ideal base for either an active or a relaxing vacation. This little town is set in the foothills of the Drakensberg and beneath Mount Anderson on the banks of the Sabie River. The famous Kruger National Park, is not too far away from the town of Sabie. This little village was established in 1895 after gold was discovered during a target match when bullets chipped and rock revealed indications of precious ore. An eco-tourism route includes the Prospectors Hiking Trail and The Fanie Botha Hiking Trail. Next to the Mac Mac pools on the outskirts of Sabie, you will find a very popular picnic spot and Secretary Bird Trail, which takes approx. 1 – 2 hours and explores pristine forests to open grasslands.
 

Graskop
This little village was established in the 1880’s, and is situated on the magnificent Drakensberg Escarpment just above Kowyn’s Pass. It was originally a gold mining settlement, and is now a major forestry centre. For those adventure junkies, plummeting 60 meters in 3 seconds is the world’s highest rated Big Swing cable gorge swing. Not for the faint hearted.
 
Places of interest to visit on the Panoramic Mountain Tour.
The towns of Lydenberg and White River are the gateways to this route. Visitors to the area may enjoy a scenic route into the quaint little town of Pilgrim’s Rest, which is a living museum dating back to the olden days of the gold rush error, as well as Ohrigstad, Graskop, Sabie and the little town of Hazyview. Draw into the beauty and serenity of the Long Tom Pass and view cascading waterfalls hundreds of feet down gorgers and valleys. The most spectacular waterfalls to be seen are around the Sabie area, namely the Mac Mac falls, Lone Creek, Forest falls, Lisbon and Berlin falls, Bridal Veil falls, as well as the Panorama falls.
 

Mac Mac Falls ~ this gem of a waterfall is situated 13 km’s from the town of Sabie, which is on the R532 to Graskop. The falls are 85 meters in height and may be viewed from a platform overlooking the breathtaking ravine.
 

The Lone Creek Falls are situated west of Sabie and may only be reached on foot.
 

Forest Falls ~ only permitted to visit by the authorities of the forestry department.
 

Lisbon Falls ~ The highest in the area at 92 meters high. The river separates into three streams as it plunges into the pool below.
 

Berlin Falls ~ Is a national monument and is 45 meters high. This fall came into being when over many eons the softer rock was gradually worn away.
 

Bridal Veil Falls ~ These falls are situated 5 km’s north of the town of Sabie and are so-named due to the wide veil of water from the Bridal Veil Creek.
 

Panorama Falls ~ This breathtaking view is seen when one swings or foefie-slides over the gorge on the Big Swing.
 

God’s Window
Breathtaking and a must for any traveler into this area. On the edge of this escarpment is the magnificent view over looking the great expanse of the Lowveld. The Kruger can be seen to the west side of this look out point. This is also the start of the Blyderivierspoort hiking trail, which runs through Swadini. The Pinnacle Rock is in the southern part of the Blyderivierspoort Reserve and is explained to be a large protruding column of granite rising approx 30 meters above the incredibly dense indigenous forest.
 

For the traveler at leisure, the Mac Mac falls and the Mac Mac pools offer picnic and BBQ facilities. These pools form a natural swimming pool and as rumor has it, not too far away you will find yourself in the little town of Mac Mac, an old mining camp, named because of the number of miners of Scottish descent. In this same area you may visit the Forest falls. Beauty, beauty and more beauty!
 

The Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Named after Tom Bourke, who in that time discovered gold at the Treur and Blyde rivers, the place where these two rivers meet. These potholes are cylindrical in shape and the holes are formed by the action of sand and rock carried down by rivers when in flood. Bridges have specially been constructed for visitors to view these remarkable formatted potholes. When visiting the potholes, for the superstitious, you have the opportunity of throwing any coin you like into one of the holes for good luck. Facilities that offer the tourist at the potholes is an information centre and a museum that is open daily.
 

The Blyde River Canyon
This is one of South Africa’s natural wonders and is known to be one of South Africa’s principal tourist attractions. The Canyon lies within the Blydepoort Nature Reserve and stretches for about 26 km’s, with a drop of 600 meters to the river. The canyon is the product of this very river, the Blyde, which eroded its way through the Drakensberg escarpment down into the Lowveld. Archeologists have found proof of early human habitation, which include Bushman rock paintings and ruins of stone walls in the Kadishi Valley.
 

The Three Rondavels
Affording magnificent views of the famous peaks of quartize and shale; known as the three rondavels while the Blydepoort dam lies calm and serene far below. For hundreds of years the local tribes had been fighting each other for supremacy in the area. The last of these battles occurred as late as 1864, when a Bapedi clan and Swazi clan challenged each other. The Bapedi were living below the escarpment where the Blyde river emerges from the mountain, however every year during the hot summer months, they used to move to the top of the escarpment where it was cooler. Each time they returned, they found their settlement and crops plundered by the Swazis who had moved in to lay claim to what they believed was their place. This went on for many years and included many skirmishes. The war cry of the Swazis,
‘Swatini’ meaning the place of the Swazi, must have resounded from the cliffs and therefore gave the place its name. To this day the peak overlooking this site is known as Swadini.