Surounding Areas - The panorama route |
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Whether you are
renting one of our
safari lodges,
attending the
Safari Guide
Training course,
one of our other
wildlife courses or
on our
10 Day Kruger
National Park
or bespoke
tailored safaris to
South Africa, these
areas are worth a
visit and are a
must-see attraction
of the Mpumalanga &
Limpopo area of
South Africa. |
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Bourke's Luck Potholes |
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 The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area.
The Potholes are located 35km north of Graskop town on the R532 road.
Photo: SATOUR |
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Blyde River Canyon & The Three Rodavals |
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| See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavals. |
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The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve lies to the
North of Graskop and is a narrow strip that runs for
approximately 57 km along the Drakensberg
escarpment, the canyon is 16km long. It is by far
one of the great scenic wonders of Southern Africa.
There are a number of view points along the edge of
the escarpment. The reserve is known primarily for
the outstanding natural beauty of the canyon as well
as the numerous endemic and endangered fauna and
flora species present. The illusive leopard is still
found in this nature reserve as well as numerous
antelopes and other species.
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A boat trip on the Blyde River Canyon Dam (above) is
highly recommended! Our 10 day
Kruger National Park Safari
will take you there. You will definitely see hippo,
crocodiles are highly likely and even the occasional
leopard has been seen. This area is now a designated
National Park in South Africa, recently upgraded
from a Nature Reserve. |
The Three Rondaval |
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| Dominating the Blyde River Canyon are the triplet mountain peaks known as the Three Rondavals. With breathtaking scenery this look out point will leave you with unforgettable memories. As a point of interest a rondaval refers to the classic round hut with a thatched roof. |
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Pilgrims Rest |
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A visit to Pilgrims rest is well worth the effort. Set in rolling countryside it is steeped in the history of the gold rush in South Africa.
The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by. |
 
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On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel.
The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home. In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the hundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue. |
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Berlin Falls |
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 Close to God's Window and north of the town if Graskop are the mighty Berlin Falls. The falls can be reached by means of a trail along the river where the water from the Berlin Creek falls over 150 m into a large pool. There is also a viewing platform accessible from the car park and it is possible to walk over to the falls from that point. |
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God's Window |
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| Well worth a visit if you are exploring the area by car or on a tour is God's Window. It offers magnificent views across the Blyde River Canyon and the Lowveld. You can walk along the paths to various view points and you'll be treated to some spectacular endemic flora & fauna on the way. |
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| Through fissures in the mountain side you are greeted with stunning views across the rocky escarpment and forested landscape that lies 1,000 meters below you and disappearing through the distant haze is Mozambique. The Kruger National Park and the mountains to the west can be seen in the distance on a clear day if you are lucky. |
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