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Mpumalanga South Africa

'A peaceful haven of beauty - nature at the front door, excellent game viewing, gazing at the stars and the vista of Blyde Canyon - no wonder the pace of life is so peaceful in the Lowveld'

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Located in the north-eastern part of South Africa the Mpumalanga province is bordered by Mozambique to the east and the Kingdom of Swaziland to the south.
The climate and topography vary form cool highland grasslands at 1600metres above sea level, through the middleveld and escarpment to subtropical Lowveld towards the Kruger National Park and many private game reserves.

Scenic beauty, climate and wildlife, voted the most attractive features of South Africa are found in abundance in the Mpumalanga province. Attractions range from game viewing, bird watching to scenic drives across the valleys and peaks of the Drakensberg escarpment and include agri-tourism, industrial and adventure tourism and cultural experiences. Historical sites, villages, old wagon routes and monuments mark events and characters that have passed this way in search of adventure and wealth.

The cultural heritage of the region is varied and fascinating, form the beadwork and wall paintings of the Ndebele in the north to the arts and crafts of the Lowveld.

Nelspruit
Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga and the commercial and administrative hub of the Lowveld.
The Nelspruit Historical trail is an hour long walk stretching from the Promenade Centre to the civic centre. The Green Heritage Trail in the Nelspruit Nature Reserve is one of several walks in the reserve and one of many in the region, other interesting places are The Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Sudwala Caves which boast some of the finest stalagmite and stalactite formations in the world,Dinosaur Park and the tranquil town of White River, well known as an artists haven and gateway to The Kruger National Park, White River also boasts its own orange winery.

The Panorama Route
Barberton features many reminders of the early gold-rush era. Museums include Belhaven, Fernlea House and Stopforth House. The only known deposits of verdite in the world are found in the Barberton district, an annual diggers contest is held in September.

The Blyderiverspoort Nature Reserve near Graskop is characterised by striking rock formations and a rich diversity of plants.

The spectacular Blyde River Canyon is a 26km long gorge carved out of the face of the escarpment and is one of the natural wonders of Africa, the canyon is the third largest in the world and the only 'green canyon' hosting three rivers which feed the Blydepoort dam.

Gods Window provides a magnificent panoramic view across miles of densely forested mountains, the green Lowveld and the canyon. The Blyderiverspoort Hiking Trail is one of the most popular in the country. A number of other hiking trails are available.

Kruger National Park
The south section of Kruger Park falls in the Mpumalanga region as well as several of the best private game reserves in the world adjacent to the Kruger Park - Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and Thornybush making the region a favourite for discovering African wildlife and exploring the nature and beauty of the Kruger National Park.

Pilgrims rest - The Gold Rush
Up in the mountain mists is Pilgrims Rest, a journey back into the 19th century: The corrugated iron high street buildings and the quaintness all preserved. Pilgrims rest gives the best glimpse of South Africa at the time of the great gold rush, like a step back in time. Enjoy the original feel of history in the Lowveld.

It still has has a very poignant feel and a melancholy historical significance, like the row of tiny graves of the under 3 yr olds who succumbed to the flu or the grave simply marked 'robbers grave' a man caught in the act and summarily executed, life was cheap in those days.

The Highlands Meander
The Highlands Meander is a mecca for fly-fisher, it is in the placid and pristine waters of this region that you find various stocks of fish, with trout as the major draw card. Dullstroom is a seductive village at its centre and it is easy to spend a few days relaxing and absorbing the natural beauty in this lovely village. The Meander also offers other activities, at Verloren Vlei and Steenkampsberg Nature reserves birding is excellent and you have the opportunity to spot three rare crane species (Blue Crane, Wattled Crane and Crowned Crane). The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve offers game watching, boating and fishing. A large number of hiking trails are available in the area.

Cultural Heartland
Visitors to the Cultural Heartland can immerse themselves in the true cultural heritage of Mpumalanga. here you can learn about the proud and welcoming Ndebele people, revered for the striking and colourful geometric patterns on their houses, clothing and beadwork, also there is the Botshabelo Historical Village near Middleburg.

Cosmos Country
Cosmos Country covers part of the Mpumalanga known as the energy belt which is home to many of the countries power stations, also the worlds largest underground coal mining complex is here and Sasols plant for extracting oil from coal.In late summer the area is a carpet of Cosmos flowers that lure visitors from all over to admire.

The Wild Frontier
Various archeological discoveries dating back almost 3 billion years were made in this imposing mountains of this area. Visitors can get to see rare San Rock paintings. It is also a good stepping stone for visits to neighbouring swaziland and Mozambique.

Grass and Wetlands
Grass and Wetlands is a paradise, with a huge variety of bird species. This region stretches across deep valleys and mountains of the east where thermal springs bubble to the surface. There are 270 pans and lakes within a 20km radius of Lake Chrissie.