Attractions

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that compares with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unsurpassed in its diversity of flora, fauna, bird and wildlife. A lengthy list of wildlife which call the park home includes the Big 5, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, sable and African wild dog. Numbi Gate is the nearest point of entry into the Kruger National Park. Most months of the year, it opens at 05:30 and closes at 18:30, but call ahead at +27 13 735 5133 to confirm the exact time.

The Panorama Route is one of the most spectacular travel routes in South Africa. Your journey will lead you through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg, which offers dramatic views of the Lowveld. The most spectacular stretch is the Blyde River Canyon, which can be reached from Graskop via the R532. The largest canyon on earth and the third deepest in the world, it starts at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and ends at the Three Rondavels, with striking lookouts along the route; an ideal half, or full day scenic trip. Many stunning waterfalls and quaint towns (including Pilgrims Rest) can be enjoyed along the way.

Situated 15 kilometres outside White River, is an incredible 159 hectare area dominated by rocky, rugged river scenery. It is the perfect haven for visitors to enjoy a picnic and stroll around the beautiful gardens. The character of the Garden is shaped by the two main rivers that cut across it; the Crocodile and Nels Rivers. Before these two rivers converge, they form spectacular waterfalls. The Garden plays a crucial role in the conservation of rare and endangered species and also played a pivotal role in establishing the cycad gene bank. Various plant species have been introduced into the Garden.

The Nelspruit Golf Course is a must to play when visiting the area and this outstanding tourist area and the busiest golf course in the region. The course offers all indigenous Lowveld trees and over 256 different species of birds. The Nelspruit Golf Club hosts to the annual Jock of the Bushveld Festival when hundreds of amateurs from far and wide descend on the town. There are no fairway bunkers at Nelspruit but this is compensated by strategic positioning of trees.

Close to Nelspruit is a pre-historic themed park featuring life-sized dinosaur models in an outdoor setting and forms just a part of the PR Owen museum, which is also home to the well known Sudwala Caves. The dinosaur park is well maintained and accessible and is an enjoyable tourist attraction for anyone visiting in or around Nelspruit, and is also a fantastic and exciting educational tour venue. Take a leisurely stroll through the park on your own or take an informative guided tour, where several aspects of pre-historic life and evolution are covered.

Take a slow stroll along the Heritage Walk from Barberton Museum to see a relic from yesteryear. This lovely old locomotive was brought to Barberton on its own steam in 1971, having served on the railway line between Barberton and Kaapmuiden from 1899. The Barberton Steam Locomotive was manufactured in 1898 by Nielson & Co. for the Cape Government Railways. The Kaapmuiden-Barberton railway line was opened on 1 April 1896 and similar locomotives were used on it.