Lowveld

Blyde River Canyon - Mpumalanga
Few will ever forget their first glimpse of the spectacular gorge, the Blyde River Canyon. The gorge is the third largest in the world and one of South Africa's scenic wonders. The Blyde River Canyon is the kind of place where brochures and guide books run out of original adjectives to describe the fresh mountain scenery and magnificent panoramic views.

At the ‘Three Rondavels viewpoint’ (also called ‘The Three Sisters’) is an unforgettable view of three huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the Blyde River Canyon. Their tops appear to have a hut-like rounded roof. Where the Blyde River (‘river of joy’) and the Treur River (‘river of sorrow’) meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’. Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water have formed a series of dark pools which contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks.

Following the road and the Treur River south, there are further viewpoints; Wonder View, God’s Window and the Pinnacle. Their names help to conjure up the indescribable enormity and vastness of the scenery, but nothing can take the place of the sheer wonderment you feel when seeing this kind of natural magnitude for yourself.

The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Several of South Africa's provincial Nature Reserves fully deserve National Park status, and a prime example is that of Mpumalanga's Blyde River Canyon.

Its scenery is unsurpassed, its vegetation both varied and lush and the rich selection of birdlife includes a breeding colony of the rare bald ibis. Just over halfway down, the swift-flowing Blyde River is joined by the Ohrigstad River from the west.
Here engineers have built an unobtrusive dam wall in a bottleneck below the confluence. The result is the Blyde Dam. The Blyde Dam is the heart of the reserve, but its nerve centre is the nature conservation team's headquarters at Bourke's Luck.
Wildlife in the Blyde River Canyon area is as varied as the habitats. There is mountain reedbuck on the escarpment, dassies on the canyon walls, hippo and crocodile in the Blyde Dam, and impala, kudu, blue wildebeest, waterbuck and zebra on the Lowveld plain near the canyon's mouth.

Technical studies are underway in the Blyde Canyon and Mariepskop mountain area, with the aim of transforming the area into a national park. The Blyde Canyon is part of a provincial nature reserve, while Mariepskop is state forest. Merging the two into one proposed National Park will help protect an important water catchment area for the Lowveld and the Olifants River. It will also help preserve a unique kind of montane vegetation, similar to the Cape fynbos.

The planting of exotic trees for commercial timber production is being phased out, not only for environmental but also economic reasons. It is hoped that conservation and tourism will become the main activity in the area. The proposed Blyde River Canyon National Park is likely to be managed by the Mpumalanga Parks Board. The area has also been proposed as a World Heritage Site because of its diversity and special geology.

Bourke's Luck Potholes - Mpumalanga South Africa
Where the Blyde River ("river of joy") and the Treur River ("river of sorrow") meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena -- Bourke's Luck Potholes. Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water, when the once rapid river carried masses of sand and debris, have formed a series of dark pools which contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks.

Located on the scenic Panorama Route, close to Graskop, Bourke's Luck Potholes is one of South Africa's top tourist attractions. Access is within 50 metres of the R//. An entrance fee of R20 per person is payable before entering the tourist complex adjacent to the potholes. The R20 is worthwhile investment for both South African and international travellers.

God's Window and Graskop - Mpumalanga South Africa
At God's Window on the Drakensberg escarpment, majestic cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the Lowveld and the private game reserves which have made the area one of Africa's prime wildlife destinations. God's Window is a small part of a 250km long rampart of sheer cliffs - it indeed seems as if one can see forever! With its magnificent views, rock formations, canyons and waterfalls, God's Window is truly an area of breathtaking scenic grandeur.

Known as Paradise Country, this lush region has several spectacular natural features, including the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon with its myriad of unusual rock formations; and Bourke's Luck Potholes - created by swirling waters, rocks and pebbles - a surreal landscape of deep cylindrical cavities. The canyon forms part of a nature reserve, inhabited by various species of antelope, wild cat and birds, including the eagle, ibis, parrot and loerie.

Viewing sites are provided along the length of the canyon, including God's Window, and there are numerous walks, hiking, horse and mountain bike trails. Here, magical waterfalls spill down the escarpment, and with names like Lone Creek, Horse Shoe and Bridal Veil, a stopover at one of these cascades for a dip into the crystal clear waters, will refresh body and mind.

God's Window and Graskop are perfect en-route stopping points for those visiting the Kruger National Park. Nearby lies the romantic gold-rush town of Pilgrim's Rest. The entire village is a historical monument and has been preserved in the architectural style of the years between 1880 to 1915.

South of Pilgrim's Rest lies Mount Sheba Nature Reserve, a paradise of indigenous forest and river gorge wilderness. The forest contains more than 100 species of indigenous trees, including yellowood, white stinkwood, Cape chestnut and mountain cedar.

Graskop - Mpumalanga South Africa
Like many towns in the area, Graskop originated as a gold mining camp in the 1880’s. Graskop (grassy hill) is on the edge of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment, with spectacular views of the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park, almost 1000 metres below.

Graskop is a good place to take a break while you travel the panorama route, as there are several tempting bakeries and aromatic coffee shops where you can stop and have a bite eat. The gold mining days are long gone and Graskop now has a thriving timber industry. The plantations are some of the largest man made forests in the world and you cannot fail to notice endless rows of pine and eucalyptus trees as you cruise the hills and valleys of this beautiful area. Graskop is centrally situated on the Mpumalanga Escarpment at the start of the Panorama Route. It's a perfect place to base yourself to explore the area. Graskop is surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, streams, tree ferns and hiking trails. A short scenic drive takes you to Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon.

Just like other towns in Mpumalanga farming was the important occupation in Graskop as well. When gold mines were discovered in Pilgrims Rest, it became necessary for having an access through rail transport, Since Graskop was the nearest settlement available, and a railway station was opened here in 1914 paving way for a blossoming growth era for Graskop.

The first modern records relating to the town of Graskop date back to 1843, with the arrival of the Voortrekkers in the area. They were searching for a route to the coast, to what is known today as Maputo in Mozambique. In the 1850s, the farm Graskop (so named because of the vast tracts of grassveld and absence of trees in the area) was owned by one Abel Erasmus, who leaves his name on a pass over the Escarpment

In 1910 the building of a railway spur from Nelspruit through the farm Sabie and onto the farm Graskop had begun. The line was completed in June 1914, and Graskop was declared a town later in that year. By 1918 the town would have a church, a store, and a primary school. Because of the high rainfall, vegetable and fruit farming were not viable in the area. The vegetation was also not well suited to cattle farming, and the town remained a railway town for some time.

It was only in the late 1920's, during the depression, that government of the time decided to plant trees in the area and Graskop developed into a timber town.

By 1945 the town had a population of approximately 650 people. A town hall had been built and both a golf course and horse racing track established.

Graskop has always attracted a constant flow of tourists. In the early days and despite the gravel roads, many of which became virtually impassable during the rainy season, the unspoilt splendour of the region has been a consistent draw card. In the middle of the century, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes - already a prominent attraction - was spanned by swing bridges; a trip to the Three Rondavels was an overnight affair.

Today Graskop has fifteen accommodation choices, ten restaurants and a huge variety of curios shops. Our selection of hotels is here. These combine with the centrality of the town in the region to make Graskop the "Gateway" to the Panorama Route.

The Pinnacle, God’s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Berlin Falls and the three Rondawels view point are some great attractions close to Graskop. No wonder why it is the most attractive place for tourists in Mpumalanga.

Pilgrim's Rest - Mpumalanga South Africa
One of the best examples of a living museum, the Pilgrim's Rest village, is a replica of the early gold mining town. Gold was discovered in Pilgrim's Rest in 1873, and many restored miners' houses serve as accommodation establishments, shops etc. Among a number of fascinating places of interest, the Alanglade House Museum offers guided tours of the former mine manager's house.

The Pilgrim's Rest Diggings Museum (just over a kilometre south of town on the Graskop road) arranges conducted tours of gold-panning activities. The Dredzen Shop Museum consists of a store stocked with a range of items in use nearly a century ago. Horse riding trails through the Pilgrim's Rest Nature Reserve surrounding the town are conducted daily. Trout fishing is popular on the Blyde River. A great annual event to attend is the Pilgrim's Rest Festival in December.