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Mpumalanga,
with its spectacular scenic beauty, wealth of wildlife and
delightful, historic towns and villages is a fascinating holiday
experience.
From
the Witwatersrand and Pretoria the high plateau grasslands of
the Middleveld
stretch eastwards for hundreds of kilometres, offering
outstanding attractions, especially for those who seek
tranquillity.
Witbank,
the first major town in this region, is the centre of the local
coal mining industry, while the Botshabelo Mission Station near
Middelburg is a romantic reminder of the days when the African
veld was a frontier land. Peaceful, spacious and invigoratingly
airy, the region boasts dams and rivers for boating and
freshwater fishing.
To
the east, the brisk, cool highlands around Belfast, Dullstroom,
Machadadorp and Lydenburg comprise one of the few remaining
natural highveld areas and provide well-stocked trout streams
and spectacular scenery.
The
plateau sweeps onwards until, in the north-east, it rises
towards mountain peaks and then terminates in an immense and
breathtaking escarpment which plunges in places, with startling
abruptness, hundreds of metres down to the low-lying country
known as the Lowveld. This is an incomparably beautiful example
of nature’s artistry.
North-west
of Graskop, God’s Window provides a boundless view to
eternity, stretching across miles of thickly forested mountains,
the lush and fertile Lowveld, myriads of waterfalls and lakes
and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, which ranks as one of
the wonders of Africa. The escarpment region is noted for its
scenic beauty; caverns and natural corridors, waterfalls and
Bourke’s Luck Potholes, formed over the centuries by the
swirling action of pebble-laden floodwaters.
The
Lowveld, rich in the history of pioneers and explorers, is
exceptionally evocative of the old Africa of romance and
adventure. Fascinating gold rush towns such as Pilgrim’s Rest
and Graskop abound, while Barberton, made famous by Sir Percy
Fitzpatrick’s book: "Jock of the Bushveld", was the
site of the first stock exchange. Nelspruit, the capital of the
Lowveld, is a sophisticated town offering high quality amenities
and entertainment, and it provides a perfect base from which to
explore the region.
For
many, the Lowveld is synonymous with the Africa of old, offering
an unparalleled experience of unspoilt grasslands teeming with
wildlife. The Kruger National Park, home to the greatest variety
of wildlife on the continent, is a firm favourite among
holidaymakers and one of South Africa’s greatest tourist
attractions. Close to the park, towns such as Hazyview, Sabie
and White River provide attractive, comfortable hotels and inns,
guest and country houses of distinction, camping and caravanning
sites and other accommodation to suit all tastes.
The
Highveld stretches south of the main N4 route and encompasses
farmlands, rolling hills and grasslands. The area has a rich
history and many tourist attractions and it also offers an
alternate route to the KwaZulu-Natal coast. There are many
battlefields in this region and in the centre, Ermelo, a mining
and agricultural town, has attractions ranging from the
corbelled huts of the extinct Leghoya/Tlokoa peoples to
well-preserved Bushmen paintings. An oasis of tranquility is
provided by the mineral springs at Badplaas and visitors can
choose from a wide range of comfortable accommodation in the
region. (Source: SATOUR) |
