Mpumalanga

The Province of Mpumalanga, meaning ‘place of the rising sun’ is situated on the north east border of South Africa bounded by Swaziland and Mozambique. Mpumalanga is a land of contrasts – the dramatic topography of escarpment and the bush of the lowveld.

A diversity of cultures, represented by some of the most colourful and interesting traditional communities is a particular highlight. Cultural villages depict the way of life of the Shangaan and Ndebele peoples.

A variety of exciting activities include bird watching, forest hikes, panoramic tours to the mountains, waterfalls and all other scenic attractions, safaris to the Kruger National Park. Enjoy hot air ballooning, quad biking, white river rafting, horse riding, golf, helicopter tours and abseiling.

Dullstroom lies a mere two hours from Johannesburg, where the Crocodile River rises and Mpumalanga Drakensberg mellows into Scottish Highland landscape. The countryside is flecked with trout rich waters, trees and hiking trails. And above there is only crisp, open air. Here, history resounds with Boer War battles.

Lydenburg is the home of industries like weaving, arts, pottery and fishing-fly making. The panoramic route over the Long Tom Pass, the highest tarred road in South Africa, meanders in to Sabie.

Sabie in a most picturesque setting, with its origins tracing back to a gold discovery in 1895, is today far better known as a forestry and tourism centre. Scenic drives radiate out in all directions to points of interest, making Sabie an ideal base from which to explore the region. Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Long Tom Pass, the Sudwala Caves, the magnificent Panorama Route with its numerous waterfalls and stunning views across the Lowveld, mean that Sabie is well worth a visit.

Graskop situated on the Drakensberg Escarpment not only offers the visitor spectacular scenery and breathtaking views - it is also a gateway to the world-famous Kruger National Park and its unique wildlife.

Pilgrims Rest an old gold mining town frozen in time with all the historical places and museums, dates back to the gold-digging boom of the 19th century. The original hotel with the historic Church Bar has been transformed to its former glory.

Hazyview, the springboard to the Kruger National Park and the world famous Sabie Sand Reserve.

The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world, and the oldest one in Africa established in 1898. It is 350km long from north to south, at most 60km in width, and covers a surface area of 1 948 528 hectares.

The park's genuine African atmosphere has an enchantment that entices the visitor back again and again. The park is home to an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and is maintained by one of the world's most sophisticated management systems. Five rivers cross the park from west to east. There are 300 different types of trees, 49 species of fish, 33 types of amphibian, 114 different reptilian species, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals in the park.

Private Game Reserves

South Africa has one of the best wildlife and conservation policies in the world. This is reflected not only in the well known national parks but also in the numerous private game reserves and game lodges that have been founded. The Sabi Sand Game Reserve and further north, the Timbavati Reserve, fall in to this category. 

White River is part of a touring route of potters, artists, furniture craftsmen and sculptors called the Artists’ Route.

Nelspruit boasts the second largest botanical gardens in the Republic with a full collection of cycads. Nearby Sudwala Caves is a major attraction and at the
Swazi cultural village traditional dances and songs are performed.

Malelane is situated where one can easily access the southern portion of the Kruger National Park on the one hand and Swaziland on the other. Of interest is the sugar mill and a crocodile farm.