Lowveld Tourist Attractions

The Lowveld region of Mpumalanga abounds with interesting tourist attractions. Some of these are:

Waterfalls
The Mpumalanga escarpment has many spectacular waterfalls -- visit the Lone Creek, Mac-Mac, Maria Shires, Forest, Bridal Veil and Horse Shoe waterfalls.

Kruger National Park
The New Frontier Backpackers Lodge is only 60 km from Kruger National Park's Numbi entrance gate. The Kruger is the Lowveld's top tourist attraction and is home to the Big 5 ( elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) plus many other animals. The main camps have an excellent range of visitor facilities, including licensed restaurants, shops, swimming pools and conference venues. Game viewing is easier in winter, but many people prefer the lush vegetation of summer. The park falls within a summer rainfall area. Summer temperatures sometimes exceed 40 degrees Celsius but winters are generally mild and frost-free. The Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Numbi and Paul Kruger gate to the park can be easily reached from Nelspruit.

Barberton
The town of Barberton developed after the discovery of gold in the area in 1884. By 1888, the boom was over, and a mass exodus of disappointed fortune seekers took place. However, there are still many reminders of the early gold rush days.

The Panorama escapement
The Panorama escapement is characterized by striking rock formations and a rich diversity of plants which support an equally rich and varied fauna. Within the region is the Bourke's Luck Potholes (deep cylindrical cavities) were formed by river erosion and the action of flood water.

The magnificent Blyde River Canyon, a gigantic gorge 26 km long carved out of the face of the escarpment, is one of the natural wonders of Africa. God's Window provides a boundless view, stretching across miles of thickly forested mountains, the lush and fertile Lowveld and the Blyde River Canyon.

Graskop
At 1490m above sea level the sky is blue and smog free -- Graskop reminds one of a piece of Switzerland. The wooden huts, fire places in all the pubs, mountains and pine trees.

Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Set in spectacular scenery on the banks of the Crocodile River, this Lowveld tourist attraction is one of the country's most magnificent botanical gardens, featuring a waterfall and many rare Lowveld species. The turnoff to the garden is situated on the R40 to White River, about 3km from the centre of Nelspruit.

Pilgrim's Rest
One of the best examples of a living museum, the village is a replica of the early gold mining town. Gold was discovered here in 1873, and many restored miners' houses serve as shops.

Sudwala Caves
The Sudwala Caves are a mere 38 km from The caves are a series of caverns featuring stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours are offered seven days a week. The six-hour Crystal Cave Tour takes place on the last Saturday of the month. At the adjacent P R Owen Dinosaur Park, full-scale replicas of the long extinct giant reptiles are on display.

Nelspruit Historical Trail
Stretching from the Promenade Centre to the Civic Centre, the one-hour historical route brings interesting facets of Nelspruit's past to life. Features include a restored ox-wagon in the library gardens.

Kaapsehoop
The quaint, historical village of Kaapsehoop offers a panoramic view of the Lowveld. Wild Horses frequent the district, and blue swallows are regular visitors from September to April.