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The Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga is a province not to be rushed through. A scenically magnificent region of lush valleys, soaring peaks, cascading waterfalls, deep ravines and emerald green grasslands.
The Blyde River Canyon is one of South Africa’s most breathtaking natural attractions. The Great Escarpment has created this majestic gorge, with sheer cliffs and waterfalls that crash into the plunge-pools below. Impressive view sites like God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls and the Mac Mac Falls are a few of the many highlights in this area.
The quaint town of Pilgrim’s Rest is like a living museum, and has been declared a national monument. It takes the visitor back to the days of the old Transvaal gold rush in 1873, when alluvial deposits were discovered and the area was officially declared a gold field. Today the town retains its charming early pioneer character, with original architecture that remains largely unchanged.
Nelspruit is the province’s principal city, and is a good base to explore from. Nearby attractions include the National Lowveld Botanical Gardens, two crocodile farms, and the fascinating caverns of the Sudwala Caves with adjacent dinosaur park.
The Greater Kruger Park comprises of the Kruger National Park, its private concessions, and the bordering private game reserves. These areas literally teem with game, and represent the splendour of Africa that most visitors come to experience. This is South Africa’s premier game sanctuary, and is one of the most renowned areas in the world for the preservation of bird and animal life. In excess of 140 mammal species are present, including the Big Five.
Private game sanctuaries like the Sabi Sand, Manyeleti and Timbavati reserves are home to a number of luxury game lodges, and offer unparalleled game-viewing experiences to their guests. Smaller game reserves which are also within the area include Thornybush Game Reserve and Kapama Private Game Reserve, both also offering a range of excellent accommodation and activities.
 Private game lodges generally offer guests morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers, always accompanied by an experienced ranger and tracker team. The lodges develop their own programme of activities for their guests, which are offered alongside lavish cuisine and luxurious accommodation. Informal dinners are often enjoyed under the stars in an enclosed ‘boma’ area, where the crackle of the fire and the night sounds of Africa provide a backdrop for conversations between guests and game rangers about the day’s marvellous wildlife sightings.
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