Oct 15, 2018 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
If you have followed this blog from the first, you’ll already know all about the exciting places you can see during just a day on the road. In the second part of our blog, we’ll be highlighting the rest of the route.
Back on the road
After you’ve experienced all that Pilgrim’s Rest has to offer it is time to hit the road and head back in the direction you came and carry on past the natural bridge till you get to Graskop. Not quite in the same class as Sabie or Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop does have its own charm. A look around the small shops in town will reveal several novelties to purchase. A popular place to grab a snack will surely be at Harrie’s Pancakes which is situated on the main street. Very reasonably priced, sweet, savoury or even veggie filled pancakes can be purchased at this pancake restaurant.
Leaving Graskop
Take the road north out of Graskop and you are in for a sight-seeing adventure. Do turn onto the R534 loop to have a stunning view from three different viewpoints of the amazing Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment. The Pinnacle is the first, a beautiful buttress of free-standing rock rising out of the indigenous forest. The natural wonder can be viewed from two different viewing decks.
Next on the list of must-see attractions is God’s Window. Truly living up to its name, God’s Window can be viewed once you have traversed a steep footpath of about 900m to the very edge of the escarpment. From this vantage point, the whole of the Lowveld and even Mozambique can be viewed.
Wonder View is next on this extraordinary route. At 1730m above sea level, Wonder View is the highest viewpoint on the Panorama Route. This is the last viewpoint on the loop, but a sensational one not to be missed.
The Final Leg
Head out of Graskop and straight to the Lisbon Falls. Lisbon Falls is the highest waterfall in the region and tumbles a staggering 92 meters. Get back on the tar road and head north past the Berlin Sawmills to the Berlin Falls. This waterfall is spectacular not because of its height, but because of the cliffs behind the waterfall and the deep pool that it cascades into.
A visit to this area will not be complete unless you stop in at the famous Bourke’s Luck Potholes. An easy 25km north of the Berlin Falls, turn right into the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and get ready to be impressed by this natural wonder. Millions of years of whirlpools have carved huge potholes into the bedrock. Today we have the privilege of being able to walk right over this marvel of nature by means of bridges set safely 20 meters above. This is a good place to have a picnic and pay a visit to the visitor’s centre for information.
Heading north once more, about 5km down the road is the Lowveld View. This 1219 meter high vantage point offers a view of the Blyde River Canyon and this area goes from stunning rocky peaks to valleys that are filled with dense forest. From here you can also see the Blyde River as it eases itself through the canyon en route to the Blydepoort Dam.
The last but not to be missed attraction is another 4.6 km north. The aptly named Three Rondawels showcase nature at her very best. Three huge rock edifices stand out proudly in plain view sight with the Blyde River Canyon as a splendid backdrop.
Nothing can compare to this truly amazing part of South Africa, so take the time and come and enjoy the scenic area.
Oct 12, 2018 | Things to in and around Nelspruit, Uncategorized
The Lowveld is a glorious place to explore and when you are staying at our comfortable, Nelspruit accommodation for your December holidays, exploring is the one thing you have to do!
The absolute best way to take in all of the sights is to embark on the Panorama Route. And in this 2 part blog, we’ll guide you to some of the route’s famous attractions.
The Start of the Panorama Route
Heading out early in the morning on the R40 towards White River, you can choose one of two ways to get to Sabie, one of the first towns on this Route. You can turn left onto the Brondal road just before you get to Riverside or you can head straight past Riverside to White River. The Brondal route will take you through beautiful mountains until you get to a T-junction. From there you can go right at the T-junction wind down off the mountain and into picture-perfect Sabie.
Alternatively, you can head straight to White River and just before entering White River turn left onto the Sabie road. This route will take you through the third largest man-made pine forest before you once again get to a T-junction, turn left and enter into Sabie from the other side of this picture perfect little town.
This entrance to the town will take you past the famous Woodsman Pub and Restaurant. This character filled restaurant is a huge log cabin with a deck overlooking the hills. The Woodsman Restaurant is a popular hang-out for breakfast bike runners. Another highlight of the town is the train diner aptly named The Smokey while the Sabie Brewing Company is also a treat. Small shops line the streets and there is also a popular must-visit second-hand bookshop. If you want to experience something a little more rustic, you can always enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Sabie river at the Merry Pebbles Resort.
Moving Onward
Head north out of Sabie towards Graskop and to the famous Mac Mac Pools. This is the next stop on your Panorama Route. Named by Scottish miners who panned for gold in the gorge, Mac Mac Pools is now an essential stop along the way, where visitors can enjoy a picnic and even take a swim in the chilly waters of the rock pool.
Getting back on the road and turning right you will come to the first of many waterfalls on this route. The Mac Mac Falls can be heard well before they are seen as you wind your way along the walkway past the locals selling their wares, to the viewpoint of the falls. At the viewpoint, you will get to see not one but two waterfalls as they fall 70 meters before meeting in a single pool with a terrific crash.
Head north again leaving the Mac Mac Falls past the Jock Of The Bushveld Memorial and the Maria Shrines Waterfall which are both worth a stop off, before heading left to Pilgrims Rest.
The 8 kilometres to Pilgrim’s Rest is well worth the drive. The road winds through the wilderness until the village comes to view tucked into the mountainside. Pilgrim’s Rest will make you feel like you have taken a step back into the past. The town consists of buildings kept as they were a hundred years ago. Lose yourself in the past as you take a walk through the towns many shops, many filled with items from a by-gone era. Drop in The Diggings Site and try your hand at panning for gold or take a walk through the historical graveyard. Be sure to have a drink at the legendary Royal Hotel before having your photo taking is a vintage dress at the Drezden Shop. If you feeling peckish there are a variety of coffee shops in the town to grab a snack before heading on to your next exciting stop.
This is trip can take around a day or so to complete if you are in a hurry, and in the evening there is more than enough time for you to return to the Nelspruit Lodge. Read part two to find out about the other interesting places you can see.
Recent Comments