Kruger Lowveld Tourism has put together a seven-day itinerary for visitors to explore and experience the area, ahead of the upcoming school holidays.
The journey, which includes areas such as Kaapschehoop, Nelspruit, the Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, and Pilgrim’s Rest, offers families looking for a holiday that they can enjoy together, an interesting and different getaway, where they can explore the Kruger Lowveld region.
The itinerary is as follows, with more details available from the Kruger Lowveld Tourism.
Day 1
Visit the picturesque town of Kaapschehoop, just 28km from Nelspruit/Mbombela. This tourist village is famous for its free-roaming feral horses and quaint eating establishments. Take some time out horse riding or hiking.
Then head down to the historic town of Barberton, where you can visit the ghost town of Eureka City, try your luck at gold panning, go on a guided heritage walk, try paragliding, or enjoy a 4x4 trail through the local landscape. Alternatively, take the Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail self-drive trail, where you can seek insights into the origins of earth over three billion years ago. A dozen laybys and viewpoints illustrate how earth evolved.
Day 2
Day 2 takes visitors to the Lowveld National Botanical Garden, where the Crocodile and Nels rivers meet to form a waterfall. This garden is said to have one of the largest collections of South African fig trees. You can also visit the chimpanzee sanctuary just outside the city on the R40, which is open daily for educational tours.
A dash across to White River introduces you to Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre with a contemporary art gallery and unique restaurants; and the Bagdad Centre, which buzzes with restaurants and a Farmer’s Market on alternate weeks.
Next stop is Hazyview with its renowned banana plantations, panoramic views, and activities such as quad biking, river rafting, ziplining, birding and golfing. You can also visit Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park or have your future told by a ‘seer’ at the Shangaan Cultural Village.
Day 3
42km from Hazyview is the Kruger Park, where you can stop at Lake Panic, then visit the Skukuza Nursery – which has over 185 plant species ranging from trees and shrubs to aloes and other succulents.
A night drive is also offered by the park.
Day 4
Exiting the Kruger National Park through Orpen Gate, you pass the Tshokwane Picnic Spot and head off to Hoedspruit, which is fast becoming a hub of restaurants and niche shopping. The town is known for the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Kinyonga Reptile Centre.
The town is agriculturally orientated, and specialises in mango and citrus production. Community tourism and promotion of the Shangaan and Pedi lifestyles lends support to the poor communities in the region.
Day 5
Enter the world’s third largest canyon – and the world’s most green canyon – the Blyde River Canyon, known as one of nature’s great wonders on the continent. It offers waterfalls and fascinating natural occurrences such as the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lowveld View and God’s Window to the Berlin Falls, Lisbon Falls, Wonder View and the Pinnacle.
Day 6
The penultimate day of the itinerary takes you to Graskop with its excellent restaurants, waterfalls, and 51-metre viewing lift, which allows you to enjoy the panoramic views.
From there to Pilgrim’s Rest with its historic buildings, ghost tour of the cemetery and Robber’s Grave, and Alanglade House. Followed by hiking and mountain biking at Sabie, with other attractions being Lone Creek Falls, Maria Shires Falls and Mac Mac Falls. Remember to stop at the SAFCOL Forestry Museum.
Day 7
As you journey towards Lydenburg you will see the replica of the Long Tom Cannon, which marks the site where two of the cannons were used for the last time in the South African War of September 1900. Further up the road is the Misty Mountain Long Tom Toboggan – the first of its kind in South Africa. From there, a drive to Lydenburg opens up a visit to Lydenburg Museum, the Voortrekker School, and the Voortrekker Church – which are both historic buildings.
A final stop in Dullstroom gives you the opportunity to visit abundant dams teeming with trout, visit interesting pubs, and explore the work of some local artists. Don’t forget to visit the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre.
