PLACES OF INTEREST

The Highlands Meander is located in the elevated reaches of the escarpment and it is nestled between the Cultural Heartland and The Panorama regions. It includes the towns of Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg, Machadodorp and Waterval Boven. The Highlands Meander is a region that appeals to nature lovers and the adventurous at heart.

This region has a large quantity of unspoiled fishing waters that never cease to attract fly fisherman in their multitudes. The impressive mountains and rivers of the Meander presents the prospect for adrenaline activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, hot air ballooning and paragliding. One of main attractions of the Highlands includes a vibrant arts and crafts community resident in the region.

The impressive Panorama Route is best known for its cultural heritage and its striking landscapes. The route offers an infinite selection of exciting options that will appeal to the individual visitor. The Panorama Route offers an assortment of the best adrenalin enhancing adventures in the country.

Known to be one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in South Africa, it leads through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. In the north-eastern part of the Great Escarpment, the inland plateau declines abruptly and steeply and opens up fantastic views of the plains of the Lowveld a thousand metres below. During the dry winter months the view is unimpaired as the visibility
stretches beyond the horison.

The Panorama region is world famous for its scenic beauty, so start with a scenic drive. Climb the mountain passes onto the Escarpment and gaze down at the wonders of the Lowveld unfolding to infinity beneath you! 'Must Visits' are God's Window, The Pinnacle, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the awesome panorama of the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels. Inhale the champagne fresh air at the highest point of the magnificent Long Tom Pass and watch waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet down gorges and valleys.

The Panorama region is renowned for pancakes: visit Harrie's in Graskop or The Motlatse Community pancake project at the potholes. Enjoy traditional Greek fare at The Woodsman in Sabie or experience appetising Italian Country cooking at The Artists Café. Lodges and Hotels in the area also offer a delicious selection of good wholesome food.

For a wonderful cultural experience visit Shangana Cultural Village in Hazyview. Shangana offers tours during the day, traditional lunches and a festival at night. Kids get free entry. Visit the Marula Market for a unique shopping experience. Hot Air Ballooning is big in The Panorama. Spoil Someone Special with a romantic early morning champagne ride!

The town of Graskop is located on a spur of the Mauchsberg at an altitude of 1493 meters in the magnificent Mpumalanga Province and dates back to 1837, when Andries Potgieter a well known South African historical figure passed through the region.

Situated on the Panorama route, Graskop the last town before the world renown Blyde river canyon, incorporating scenic sites such as (Gods Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, The Three Rondavels Pilgrims rest, Sabie, Hazyview, Lisbon falls, Berlin falls, the Kruger National Park) is ideally located in the heart of the tourism region and is the gateway to the Panorama Route.

Graskop is a lively tourism destination, with ever expanding amounts of activities such as (the Big Swing, Kruger National Park, Quad trails, Hiking, Archery, Gold panning, paint ball to mention a few) that will keep any visitor busy for days.

It’s one of those affectionately called one-horse towns with a whole host of restaurants and craft shops all strung out along the main access road. Numerous guesthouses in the area provided a selection of quality accommodation.

Hazyview, a town in Mpumalanga province is conveniently situated a few kilometres outside the Kruger National Park and derives its name from the summer haze that envelope the low bush land. It is a small farming town and made famous for its banana industry. The area is reputed to have the best climate in the world for bananas therefore row upon row of these lush tropical plantations adorn the landscape. The bulk of Mpumalanga's private game reserves are found immediately east of Hazyview.

The stunning panoramas in Hazyview will certainly remain in your memory as there is much to experience in this region.

Amid the many panoramic destinations, many tourists enjoy visiting the Shangana Cultural Village on route to Graskop where many delightful trinkets and curios can be purchased.

Hot air ballooning can be described as one of the most popular activities in Hazyview, because it allows visitors an aerial view of the magnificent valleys below ensuring a lasting impression.

The small town of Pilgrim's Rest is situated on the grand Panorama Route which form part of the eastern Escarpment region of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

The town was born during the legendary Gold Rush and was declared a national monument in 1986. Alluvial Gold was first discovered in the stream which runs through the valley in 1873 by a prospector named 'Wheelbarrow' Alec Patterson on the farm named Ponieskrantz.

Initially the discovery was kept secret, but soon after a second prospector named William Trafford also discovered gold nearby, optimistic panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World came to seek their fortunes. Towards the end of 1875 the town was thriving with stores and other establishments. After many booming years - in one reef alone more than 140000 kilograms of gold were mined over a period spanning 50 years! - Mining stopped in 1972. Gold Panning is still supported by the local communities on a smaller scale.

Today Pilgrims Rest is mainly a tourist attraction, with an abundance of beautiful arts and crafts shops where visitors can purchase pottery, stained glass, weaving, hot glass and even custom crockery. Other exciting activities include horse riding, bird watching, hiking, mountain biking and golfing.

Gods Window allows visitors to be privileged to the finest panoramas on offer in the Lowveld. The attraction is located in the Blyde River Nature Reserve.

The sight has magnificent views, canyons, rock formations and waterfalls leaving all visitors breathless and awe-inspired. View sites overlook steep wooded slopes stretching over a distance of 4 kilometres and the landscape dramatically drops 900 metres before vanishing into the distant haze of the Lowveld.

God's Window forms a small part of a 250km long barrier of sheer cliffs and unequaled beauty. Visitors can observe the hills and forests as they reach to the distant horizon.

Viewing sites are provided along the length of the spectacular Blyde River Canyon including God's Window. Along the route fantastic walks, hiking trails, horse and mountain bike trails as well as numerous adventure activities are on offer.

Gods Window marks the end of the Fanie Botha Hiking Trail and the start of the Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail.

The beautiful Horseshoe Falls are located along the Sabie River in the province of Mpumalanga. The falls can be viewed 4kms off the Old Lydenburg Road.

While walking to the falls visitors can feast their eyes on the abundant birdlife and wildlife that roams the area. The trail ends at the cascading waterfall resembling a horseshoe from where it derives its name. The Horseshoe Falls has a circular shape, and is not very high but compensates for it with its unusual beauty.
The Horseshoe Falls have been declared a national monument and are a must see along the route.

Visitors can picnic, swim in the refreshing pools or relax and admire the serene beauty of the area. The Horseshoe Falls is also famed as a popular trout fishing destination.

The Horseshoe Falls definitely boasts its own unique beauty and splendor, an activity not one to be missed.