Small Towns, Big Hearts: The Three Jewels of Mpumalanga

If you want to see beauty, wildlife, waterfalls and top it all off with a dash of adventure, the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is the place to be. There are three anchor points that hold this area together when it comes to tourism. Three brilliant little towns that provide a base camp for intrepid adventurers and South African explorers. Say hello to Graskop, Hazyview and Sabie.

Graskop

It was the famous gold rush in the 1880s that sparked to life this little corner of our country. Mining forms a massive part of South Africa’s history, so in Graskop things are no different. Originally one of the first gold mining camps in the country, Graskop has blossomed into a charming little village and great starting point of our most famous Panorama Route.

Today, areas around Graskop are surrounded by pine trees that stretch from horizon to horizon in what is one of the largest man-made forests in the world. It truly is a magical site to behold.

With the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window and the many beautiful waterfalls all within easy driving distance, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to make Graskop your home during your Mpumalanga adventure.

Hazyview

Just 40km down the road from Graskop, you’ll find another town - one containing a little more hustle and bustle than little old Graskop. Hazyview is still just as beautiful with many things to see and do, from ziplines to bridge swings to the famous Elephant Sanctuary.

The Skyway Trail, Africa's longest aerial cable trail, is a major Hazyview attraction. It takes you 1.2km down into the Sabie River valley basin through spectacular indigenous forests, past streams and among abundant bird and wildlife. The cable is linked by 10 platforms, which afford you ample opportunity to take in the sheer beauty of the surrounds.

For the ultimate wildlife experience, you can connect with the soul of our greatest animal, the mighty and tender elephant. At the Elephant Sanctuary in Hazyview, you can have an interactive elephant experience with hands-on educational elephant interactions. Give them a visit and help contribute to the much-needed awareness and conservation funds that our elephants deserve.

The Sabie River at Hazyview is also a great river rafting spot, with lots of flat water and a couple of grade two and three rapids to get your adrenaline pumping. Geckoing (or tubing) is oodles of fun too and takes advantage of the smaller grade one rapids.

Sabie

Much like Graskop and Hazyview, Sabie also had its beginnings in the 1880s gold rush and now derives its wealth from forestry. In fact, it is in Sabie where you can visit theKomatiland Forestry Museum to get an inkling of the history that this industry has sprouted over the years.

Sabie's Market Square is the hub of the surrounding farming community and the centre for the many activities offered in the region. There’s also fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, abseiling and bird watching.