Set high on the escarpment, the Mpumalanga Highlands feature endless savannah plains meeting steep mountain passes hugging rugged rocky cliffs. The Highlands of Mpumalanga are a playground for nature and adventure lovers. A number of charming, high-altitude, grassland villages are scattered on a sea of cattle ranches which are interspersed with numerous trout fishing locations and mountain hideaways. Aside from the trout and quaint towns the highland scenery and flora and fauna are also major attractions. Visitors can enjoy a number of wonderful activities including: discovering crystal-clear streams and cascading waterfalls, visiting the Highland’s tourism mecca of Dullstroom, as well as horse riding, whiskey and beer tasting, hiking, fly fishing and much more.
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Marking the threshold of one of South Africa’s premier safari and adventure regions, Hoedspruit rests at the foot of the Klein Drakensberg in Limpopo Province. Here, the tar road gives way to open bushveld, as the nearby Kruger National Park supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and several antelope species. Contributing to the area's wildlife attractions, the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre provides treatment and care for a wide range of species while promoting conservation awareness. Hoedspruit is also well positioned as a gateway to the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives, with highlights that include the dramatic viewpoints of the Blyde River Canyon and the waterfalls of Lisbon and Berlin Falls, all set within a striking Lowveld landscape.
Stretching along the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, in the North West Province, Sun City is internationally renowned as South Africa's premier holiday resort and offers a multitude of attractions and activities. With its combination of golfing, gaming, and gambling, as well as world-class hotels, this destination is often referred to as a 'mini Las Vegas in the African bush'. Families can enjoy the impressive waterpark and maze, while nature lovers can explore the incredible Pilanesberg National Park, where they can see all of the Big Five. Make sure to take the fascinating Leeto-Kgolo Village Tour to get an idea of the area's ancient culture. Sun City is also known as the only surf-and-safari destination within a two-hour drive of the landlocked city of Johannesburg.
Over 1300 million years ago, the Pilanesberg area in South Africa’s North West Province, was alive with volcanic eruptions and overflowing magma. The result is an alkaline volcanic crater, one of three on Earth, that is one of the largest circular volcanic complexes of its type in the world. The rare geological features, rock types and formations attract geologists and photographers from all over the world. And we haven’t even mentioned the wildlife yet!
Man has lived here beneath Thabayadiotso, ‘the Proud Mountain’, since the Stone Age and has left his mark in a number of sites. During the apartheid era, the area was part of the then independent ‘bantustan’, Bophuthatswana. As the Park’s terrain lies in the transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld with overlaps in mammals, birds, and vegetation, the Bophuthatswana President, Lucas Mangope, decided to convert the Pilanesberg into a game reserve in 1977 and re-introduce long-vanished wildlife and remove all non-native plant life from the region. Operation Genesis began. This mammoth achievement was the largest game resettlement in the world.
Today, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is home to over 10 000 animals and has the world’s largest number of hyenas. Because of its ecologically rich and malaria-free location, this vast area dramatically increases your chances of encountering, among others, the Big 5, wild dog, Roan, Tsessebe, Sable antelope, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, and crocodile. There are more than 360 species of bird. You can immerse yourself in the natural world on exciting game drives or in the well-built, concealed photographic hides which provide a comfortable place to wait for that perfect shot. The Mankwe Dam is ideal for spotting animals pausing for a drink.
As it’s only 3 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, and is also close to Pretoria and Rustenburg, Pilanesberg National Park, the 4th largest Park in South Africa, is the most accessible and popular game reserve in the country.
It’s great for day trips and is also near the Lost City. In the Park, an array of activities is on offer, including guided walks, game drives, and hot-air balloon rides, traditional tribal dance performances, music workshops, and luxury spa experiences.
