Art and Crafts -  Bourke's Luck Potholes - Blyde River Canyon - Churches - Dullstroom Birds of Prey & Rehab - God's Window  - Kaapse Hoop -  Kruger National Park -  Long Tom Pass - Lowveld Botanical Gardens - Lydenburg Heads - Mac Mac Falls - Museums -Pilgrim's Rest - Sudwala Caves - Sudwala Dinasaur Park : Three Rondawels - Tsakani House of Africa Silk - Tours - Wildlife Interactions - Witbank Dam

ARTS & CRAFTS

The Bourke's Luck Potholes is located 35km north of Graskop town on the R532 road. Just above the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers is a curious formation of rounded holes in the rock caused by the perpetual swirling waters of the Treur River. The trekkers named the Blyde (meaning joy) and the Treur (meaning sorrow) following an incident when their sorrow turned to joy.

BOURKES LUCK POTHOLES : Fees are typically paid at the gate and can sometimes be paid by card, though carrying cash is a good idea. The site is open daily from 07h00 to 17h00.

BLYDE RIVER CANYON

The scenic beauty of the Blyde River Canyon, the worlds 3rd largest gorge, is awe-inspiringly magnificent! The Blyde River cuts a zig-zag passage, 16 kilometres long at a depth of 750 metres in the midst of dense vegetation below towering buttresses capped by cliffs of the most remarkable shapes. There are some magnificent viewpoints along this route, including God's Window and The Three Rondawels. On a clear day the view from God's Window extends across the lowveld, past the Kruger Park to Mozambique.
The Canyon forms part of 27 000 ha Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve, stretching from Swadini in the north to just north of Graskop in the south.

BLYDE RIVER CANYON : R532 to Graskop. Follow the signposts north of Graskop at Bourke's Luck Potholes until you reach the entrance of this Mpumalanga nature reserve in South Africa.

CHURCHES

LYDENBURG HISTORICAL CHURCH

CONTACT NG MOEDERGEMEENTE KERK : Cell : 082 454 5974

DULLSTROOM BIRDS OF PREY & REHAB

The Dullstroom Bird Of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1997 and has been located at its present site since November 2004. The Centre’s original aim was as an educational centre, teaching members of the public about raptors and promoting an awareness of the raptor species and their plight as a growing endangered species. The need for care of injured and orphaned birds of prey prescribed the evolving of the rehabilitation centre as well. The vision has expanded the education and rehabilitation facility to encompass all species of wildlife.

CLOSED: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

CONTACT DULLSTROOM BIRDS OF PREY & REHAB : Cell 082 899 4108 : info@wildlifesos.co.za : www.birdsofprey.co.za

GOD'S WINDOW

A must is God's Window, a viewpoint at an altitude of 1,829m/6,000ft extending northward over the Blyde River Canyon, eastward over the Lowveld, 1,000m/3,300ft below, and the Kruger National Park to the Mozambique border, and westward over forest-covered mountains. A well laid-out track leads from the parking place to other viewpoints. One particularly rewarding trip (following signs to the Rain Forest) is on a path which winds its way through evergreen tropical rain forest. God's Window - so called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld. In the distance lies the Kruger National Park and Mozambique. From the parking area a steep footpath along the edge of the escarpment leads to the actual view site where there is a Wild Nature Reserve. God's Window is a deep ravine in the edge of the escarpment: an awe-inspiring vew down into the lowveld. A path and motoring track from the parking site of God's window, leads along the edge of the escarpment to the Lowveld Panorama and nature reserve, a beautiful area of indigenous forest with a breath-taking view. In this reserve many flowering and aromatic plants can be found.

GOD'S WINDOW : Situated along the Panorama Route near Graskop,Mpumalanga

KAAPSE HOOP

Kaapschehoop is famous for the last wild horses of South Africa that roam the town freely.This part of Mpumalanga, South Africa abounds with legends of gold, and horses have an exciting history which dates back to 1721. In 1882 Bernard Chomse claimed to have found gold in the bed of a stream on a high, narrow plateau which projects like a finger between the valleys of the Elands and the Little Crocodile rivers. Situated in the hills above Ngodwana 32km from Nelspruit, the picturesque village of Kaapschehoop has a unique atmosphere. A herd of wild horses has roamed the hills around Kaapschehoop for many years, and is reported to have originated from the release of mine ponies during the gold rush of the 1870's. The diggers called the strange place Duiwelskantoor ('devils reception room'). An early observation says: "No description could convey anything approaching an adequate idea of the difficulties of a journey through this region. The mountains are so rugged that only the devil could live here". 

KAAPSE HOOP : To reach the historic village of Kaapsehoop (also known as Kaapschehoop) in Mpumalanga, you can take a scenic mountain pass from either the N4 highway near Ngodwana or from the city of Mbombela (Nelspruit). The drive from Mbombela takes approximately 30 minutes.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

In 1898 President Paul Kruger proclaimed the area between the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers as the Sabie Reserve because hunting mania had wiped out the Lowveld's huge herds of game. After the Anglo-Boer war, the British began clearing the way for the protected areas by the forced removal of between 2000 -3000 local inhabitants in1903. These removals continued throughout the Kruger's history. In 1969 the Makukeke people were moved out of the Pafuri area. The dispute over land claims continues today. Major James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed the first warden. He was a short, quick-tempered Scotsman and was given the African name "skukuza" meaning "he who turns things upside down". He waged constant war against poachers and was responsible for expanding the Kruger Park, incurring the wrath of local farmers who felt that the Reserve was a breeding ground for lions. Both domestic stock and people were often attacked. Piet Grobler, Minister of Lands in 1926 successfully passed the Bill on National Parks and named the area Kruger National Park. In 1927, three cars entered the Park. Two years later there were 850 cars. Over the next 50 years, 150 000 people visited the Park annually. Today, 700 000 people visit the Park every year.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ABOUT KRUGER PARK : Tel +27 (0)12 428 9111 : reservations@sanparks.org

LONG TOM PASS

The Long Tom Pass was named after the cannon, which the Boers used to try and dislodge the British from Lydenburg in the battle between the Boers and the British in the Anglo-Boer War (1899 -1902) in the Lydenburg area. In 1900 at the Battle of Bergendal, General Botha withdrew towards Lydenburg with two Long Tom guns. On the British side General Buller occupied Lydenburg on the 7 September 1900. Botha then shelled the town with the Long Tom guns from the heights. Buller and his force were in possession of two 5 inch guns, and these were used during the action in the town. Buller, however, wanted to block the road from Nelspruit to Pilgrim's Rest, so they followed Botha. On the 11 September 1900 after the battle was over, Botha passed successfully through the pass with his men and the Long Toms. In 1953 the pass was opened and at some places the road takes a new route, but mostly the route has remained unchanged.The main obstacle along the route was the Drakensberg. In 1871, President TF Burgers ordered the construction of the road over this formidable barrier to the sea. The first wagons to use the new road, which followed the route of the old hawepad in many places, arrived in Lydenburg from Delagoa Bay in 1874. The pass used today was opened on 22 July 1953. Parts or the old road are signposted along the new pass, which was tarred in 1964. At Die Geut (the gutter), ruts can be seen in the slate where the locked wheels of the wagons slid down the steep gradient.

LONG TOM PASS : 2,150 m (7,054 ft) : Location Between Sabie and Lydenburg : Drakensberg Mountains

Coordinates 25°08′28.5″S 30°36′17.8″E

LYDENBURG HEADS

In 1957 a young boy, Ludwig von Bazing, aged about nine or ten, was playing in the veld (fields) on his father's farm near Lydenburg. He saw pieces of the now famous Lydenburg heads lying there. Five years later he developed an interest in archaeology and went back to where he had first seen these shards, and over a period of 4 years, he collected pieces of seven heads. Carbon dating showed that these heads dated back to the year 490 A.D. and had been made by early Iron Age people. Study of the heads has suggested that they might have been used as masks. However, the neck is very long, as is the distance between the eyes and nose, which makes it rather difficult for the ordinary person to wear one. The purpose of these heads is obscure and one can only speculate that they were probably used during initiation ceremonies.

THE LYDENBURG HEADS : High-quality replicas of the seven terracotta heads are on display at the Lydenburg Museum, located in the Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga.

MAC MAC FALLS

When gold was discovered along the Mac-Mac River in 1873, a frenzied gold rush ensued. Many of the miners were Scottish, and therefore the camp was named Mac-Mac. In an attempt to divert the river, the miners placed dynamite on the crest of the Mac-Mac Falls. The explosion split the 64-metre-high waterfall into two splendid streams which plunge into the forested gorge below. There is a viewing platform which overlooks the Mac Mac Falls and visitors can also walk for 2 km along part of the Fanie Botha Hiking Trail to the Mac-Mac pools for a refreshing swim.

MAC MAC FALLS : Between Sabie and Graskop, 13km outside of Sabie on R532

South African Citizens: R15 – R25 per person. International Visitors: Approximately R50 per person.

MUSEUMS

LYDENBURG MUSEUM

The Lydenburg Museum is a cultural and historical institution located in the Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve in Lydenburg (Mashishing), Mpumalanga, established in 1972. It is most famous for housing replicas of the Lydenburg Heads, which are significant, 1,500-year-old Iron Age terracotta masks.The Lydenburg Museum is a small yet significant museum. In addition to the Lydenburg Heads, the museum showcases: Pedi, Ndebele, and Afrikaner cultural artifacts Long Tom Cannons from the Anglo-Boer War Early gold mining and military history exhibits A distillery, where visitors can sample the traditional Afrikaner mampoer brew Location and Natural Surroundings This move allows visitors to combine a cultural experience with game viewing, where they can see indigenous antelope, small mammals, and bird species in a scenic natural setting.

LYDENBURG MUSEUM : Originally situated in the town center, the museum relocated in 1990 to the Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve.

BELHAVEN HOUSE

Belhaven, built in 1904, is an example of a pre-fabricated house with corrugated iron outer walls and pressed iron panels on the interior. It is furnished in the style of the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods, and depicts the lifestyle of a wealthy middle class family. Guided tours Mondays to Fridays on the hour between 10am and noon and again at 2pm and 3pm.

CONTACT BELHAVEN HOUSE : Tel: +27 (0)13 766 5242 : 013 712 4208 : 083 631 8575 : jgrobler@mpg.gov.za

BLOCKHOUSE

Barberton

The site can be visited at any time. The blockhouse is best visited as part of the Barberton Heritage Walk, a self-guided tour that tracks the town's historical attractions. Starting Point: It is recommended to begin at the Barberton Museum (36 Pilgrim Street), where you can collect a heritage tour map. The Route: From the museum, the blockhouse is typically the second stop on the walk, immediately following the Lodge of St John in the South. Access: The structure is situated on a ridge (historically known as General's Hill) overlooking the town, near the entrance to Rimer's Creek.

The fort dates from 1901, and is an example of the earliest design of the blockhouse constructed by the British in South Africa. During the time of the Anglo-Boer war the British built it as a position of defence against the Boer forces. It was manned by the Barberton Town Guard which consisted of local volunteers under the command of J W Winter.

VISIT BLOCKHOUSE : The Barberton Blockhouse is located on the corner of Lee Road and Judge Street in Barberton, Mpumalanga

FERNLEA HOUSE

This wood and iron house was built for Mrs. Emily Fernandez in the early 1890's. She married Mr. Thomas Lee, who had a Photography and Drapery Business in Barberton. The building now houses an exhibition mainly about Rimers Creek and the restoration of the building and a display on the botany of Barberton.

CONTACT FERNLEA HOUSE : Tel: (013) 712-4208 : Open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 1pm and from 1.30pm to 4pm.

STOPFORTH HOUSE

The original house and outbuildings were constructed in 1886 by James Stopforth, originally from England, In 1892 the house was rebuilt. It was occupied by the Stopforth family from 1886 until 1983 and is furnished with the original furniture and household articles used by the Stopforth family between 1886 and 1914. It is one of the oldest surviving "prefabricated" wood-and-iron houses in the region and serves as a key museum on the Barberton Heritage Walk

CONTACT STOPFORTH HOUSE : Tel: +27 (0)13 712 2880 or the main museum at +27 (0)13 766 5242.

18 Bowness Street. Guided tours Mondays to Fridays on the hour between 10am and 12 noon and again at 2pm and 3pm.

BARBERTON MUSEUM

Barberton Museum started in 1898 with a collection of geological samples. Through the years the museum has expanded and now consists of the Main Museum, Belhaven House Museum, Stopforth House Museum, Fernlea Museum and Krugerhof Museum. The Main Museum houses displays on the general and cultural history of Barberton and its immediate surrounding areas. Here you will find information on the rich geology of the area with some of the oldest rocks in the world on display. A visit to the museum will take you on a journey through the Stone Age, Iron Age, Barberton’s military history and mining history. Also on display are the Victorian cultural history and the cultural history of the emaSwati.

CONTACT BARBERTON MUSEUM : Tel: +27 (0)13 712 2880

36 Pilgrim Street, Barberton. Open daily from 9am to 4pm, closed from 1pm to 1.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays

KRUGERHOF MUSEUM

Waterval-Onder.

Krugerhof is the last place of residence for President Paul Kruger during the South African War. On display at the museum is his life story, his role in the development of the railway system in the old Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and the South African War.

Open daily from 9am to 4pm.Tel: (013) 712-4208.

SAFCOL INDUSTRY MUSEUM

Safcor Industry Museum: Sabie.

Explains the processes and development of forestry.

CONTACT SAFCOL FORESTRY MUSEUM : Tel +27 13 764 1058 : ForestryMuseum@safcol.co.za

Corner 7th & 10th Avenue, Sabie www.safcol.co.za

SKUKUZA MUSEUM

The Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library and Museum was built in 1961 with funds donated by the South African Wildlife Preservation Society and houses impressive collection of historical accounts and informative displays on the history of the park. Notable items on display include the skin of the lion killed by Harry Wolhuter, and the sheath knife that delivered the death blow. The museum was upgraded to tell an inclusive history of the park. On display are Agfa Wildlife and Environment Award winning photographs, paintings by prominent wildlife artists and displays devoted to the history of the park. There is also a research library.

SKUKUZA MUSEUM : Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111 : Open daily from 8.30am to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm.

PILGRIM'S REST

Pilgrim's Rest was named by a digger who had found gold there. He believed this would enable him to rest after his long pilgrimage seeking fortune! Thousands of prospectors flooded the lovely valley in one of the biggest gold rushes ever experienced. There were daily discoveries of fine nuggets of alluvial gold in the stream that came to be called Pilgrim's Creek. Today, the whole town has been proclaimed an historical monument and has been restored to its original splendour. The old Royal hotel - part of which used to be a church in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) - was brought to Pilgrim's Rest by ox wagon.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ABOUT PILGRIM'S REST

SUDWALA CAVES

Discover a world of adventure, history, and natural beauty at the Sudwala Caves. As the oldest known cave system on Earth, these magnificent formations take you on a journey through time with guided tours show  casing ancient stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils. Just beyond the caves, thrill-seekers can take flight on the Sudwala Zipline, soaring 430 meters over the breathtaking Houtbosloop Valley for an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

CONTACT SUDWALA CAVES : Tel 013 302 0995 : Cell 083 446 0228 or Whats?App 072 497 8268 :info@sudwalacaves.com :

One hour guided tour daily from 08h30 - 16h30  : Crystal Tour - advance bookings only - 4 hr duration

SUDWALA DINOSAUR PARK

Life Size, Accurate and artistic : Pre-Historic animals - open 7 days a week. The Sudwala Dinosaur Park offers children an exciting and educational glimpse into the world of Dinosaurs and other pre-historic animals. It is situated next to the Sudwla Caves in a lush, sub-tropical forest garden where beautiful cabbage trees, cycads, monkeys and birds abound.

CONTACT SUDWALA DINOSAUR PARK : Cell : 083 386 8907

THE THREE RONDAWELS

Further north along the R532 road, the turnoff to the Three Rondawels viewpoint is 4.6km from the Lowveld View turnoff (41 km north of Graskop) and the parking area another 2.8km further. The Three Rondawels are well known gigantic peaks made from quartzite and shale. The sheer rock walls of The Three Rondawels tower more than 700m above the surrounding landscape. The Three Rondawels are named after the three most difficult and quarrelsome wives of Chief Maripi Mashile - they are Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto.

THE THREE RONDAWELS : Located in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, on the Panorama Route, situated approximately 53 km north of Graskop.

TSAKANI SILK

Since 1994 Tsakani has become closely associated with the concept of African Silk. It was one of the first companies to develop and market Wild African Silk products in South Africa. The Tsakani product range was originally developed for the Tsakani Silk Farm and includes both wild and cultivated silk products. The company focuses on the creation of fine quality products with a distinct African character, using local technology and resources.Wild African Silk is derived from the Gonometa postica, a species that is endemic to the Southern Regions of Africa. The cocoons of these caterpillars are harvested in the Acacia Veld of the Kalahari. The silk is fawn coloured and slightly textured with a soft sheen.

CONTACT TSAKANI HOUSE OF AFRICA SILK : Cell / WhatsApp +27 (0)83 265 3116 : info@tsakanisilk.co.za

5 km off the R40 on the Mpumalanga University Road, Friedenheim, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

TOURS

WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS

WITBANK MUNICIPAL DAM

Witbank Dam is the biggest municipal dam in the Southern Hemisphere and has a catchment area of more than 3 540 square kilometres. Water Sports camping, Caravan Sites and Chalet Sccommodation, adjoining Nature Reserve, 50 different tree species, 150 flower varieties, amongst which are the rare ground orchids and gladiola type. Wide variety of game species, various trails have been mapped out in the reserve, where 173 bird species can be detected.

CONTACT WITBANK MUNICIPAL DAM : Tel +27 (0)13 690 6911 : enquiries@emalahleni.gov.za

Olifants River, eMalahleni (Witbank), Mpumalanga.