towns along the route
Kaapsehoop
Kaapsehoop is situated 25km southwest of Nelspruit on a buttress of the Mpumalanga escarpment. The Kaapsehoop area offers protection to the globally threatened Blue Swallow and is designated as an Important Bird Area. Wild Horses roam with herds ranging in size from bachelor herds of around three to larger more structured herds of 15 to 20 horses.
Rudi du Plessis
Mobile: +27 (0)72 603 8873
Sabie
Situated on the banks of the Sabie River beneath the towering Long Tom Pass, Sabie is a small country town nestled in the majestic Drakensberg escarpment. It is the centre for the forestry and sawmilling industry and the Forestry Museum traces the history of the industry. Sabie is a tranquil, malaria-free holiday destination that caters for the whole family - with a variety of activities such as hiking, fly-fishing, mountain-biking, horse-riding, white-water rafting, rock-climbing and abseiling, bird-watching and shopping for African arts, crafts and curios.
Sabie is less than four hours drive from the OR Tambo International Airport, a relaxing hour's drive to and from the Kruger National Park, and within minutes from a number of spectacular waterfalls in pristine mountain streams.
Sabie5 Info Office
Mobile: +27 (0)72 179 0104
Graskop
Graskop is a small forestry-oriented town set against the Drakensberg Escarpment and is only a few minutes drive from scenic attractions such as God's Window, the Blyde River Canyon and the spectacular Berlin and Mac Mac Falls. With a temperate climate and high rainfall it is often misty in the summer. It is a popular tourist destination and well known for its pancakes and curio shops.
Tel: +27 (0)13 767 1886
E-Mail: info@graskop.co.za
Pilgrim's Rest
Situated in the eastern escarpment, the village has been declared a National Monument to protect and conserve the history of this once vibrant gold-mining community. Many of the buildings have been restored to create a living museum. Visitors can relive the days of the old Transvaal gold rush of the late 1800s. Activities include panning for gold, hiking trails, horse-riding, theme shopping and many restaurants. There is ample accommodation in the hills above the village.
Pilgrim's Rest Information Centre
Tel: +27 (0)13 768 1060
Lydenberg
Lydenberg was founded in 1849 by a group of pioneers who did not want to continue moving further north. It became a municipality in 1927. This is an important farming and mining centre set against the Drakensberg Escarpment on the Sterkspruit River. The Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve is located east of the town, offering hiking trails and archaeological ruins consisting of agricultural terraces dating back to the 12th century.
Tourism Information
Tel: +27 (0)83 123 2345
Nelspruit
Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga, lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River about 330km east of Johannesburg and is known as the gateway to Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park. With its sub-tropical climate, abundant sunshine and lush hills and valleys it forms the ideal base from which to explore Mpumalanga.
Lowveld Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)13 755 1988
Barberton
The Makhonjwa Mountains around Barberton have a global reputation. Also referred to as the "Genesis of Life", its geology includes the best-preserved, truly ancient rocks on earth. The mountains form an important high-rainfall mountain catchment, which is protected in terms of several proclaimed Nature Reserves.
Barberton Tourist Information Bureau
Tel: +27 (0)13 712 2880
Malelane
Malelane is just a few kilometres from the Malelane Gate into the Kruger National Park and 43km from the Mozambique and Swaziland borders. The Malelane area is characterised by hills that consist of huge granite boulders and is the centre of the sugar and citrus growing industries in Mpumalanga.
Lowveld Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)13 755 1988
Hazyview
Hazyview, strategically placed midway between the spectacular scenery of the escarpment and the wildlife experience of the Kruger National Park, provides the best of both worlds.
With luxury hotels, upmarket guest lodges, time-share resorts, caravan parks and accommodation for backpackers, Hazyview caters for the needs of all tourists.
Hazyview Panorama Information Office
Tel: +27 (0)13 737 7414
Chrissiesmeer
Chrissiesmeer is located on the banks of South Africa's largest freshwater lake and is known as South Africa's "Lake District". Birding is very popular with some 270 lakes and pns located within a 20km radius of the village.
The village is also known for its many guest houses and outdoor activities such as horse-riding, mountain-biking, hiking, the annual frog festival and stargazing. Also of interest is the history of Chrissiesmeer which tells of battles that were fought during the Boer War.
Matotoland Eco Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)17 847 0008
Wakkerstroom
Only three hours drive from Johannesburg, is a quaint village in a pristine environment set in the grasslands of the Drakensberg Escarpment. Birding, for which the region is world-famous, is the principal attraction, with several endemic grassland species that can be viewed at various special sites and hides. Wakkerstroom has a host of accommodation establishments ranging from the country hotel, guesthouses, and lodges through to bed and breakfasts and self-catering to caravan and camp sites, famous for their country hospitality and knowledge of the area.
Wakkerstroom Centre
Tel: +27(0)78 503 9754
E-mail: wakkerstroom-centre@birdlife.org.za
Dullstroom
At an altitude of 2100m ASL, Dullstroom is one of the highest villages in Mpuimalanga. You will find the village of Dullstroom to be a charming little hamlet situated in an area of rolling grasslands, clear streams, lakes and breathtaking scenery. It is South Africa's premier trout fishing area. The Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre is located 1km outside Dullstroom on the Belfast/Dullstroom road. The Centre was established with the aim of promoting an awareness of raptors.
Tel: +27 (0)13 254 0020
Fax: +27 (0)13 254 0234
E-Mail: info@dullstroom.co.za