Kruger National Park. Right on our doorstep!
Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: approximately 2000 plants of which 404 are woody plants and 224 grasses, 53 fish, 34 amphibians - , 118 reptiles, 517 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.
  
  
Mozambique
The border post is also practically on our doorstep.
Mozambique is a southern African nation whose long Indian Ocean coastline is dotted with popular beaches like Tofo, as well as offshore marine parks. In the Quirimbas Archipelago, a 250km stretch of coral islands, mangrove-covered Ibo Island has colonial-era ruins surviving from a period of Portuguese rule. The Bazaruto Archipelago farther south has reefs which protect rare marine life including dugongs.
More affordable than the Seychelles and less built-up than Mauritius, Mozambique is fast becoming the place to go for classic tropical island holidays. Its wide mainland beaches are lapped by the warm Indian Ocean but the most appealing destinations lie just offshore: two clusters of postcard-perfect islands dot the blue horizon – the Bazaruto Archipelago in the south and the exclusive private islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago near the Tanzanian border in the far north.
A Mozambique holiday is the perfect excuse to kick off your shoes, take off your watch and gear down to the slow pace of island life: swim, snorkel, laze in the sunshine or set sail on a sunset dhow cruise. When the mood takes you there are richly coloured coral reefs waiting to be explored on scuba diving trips, and the clear waters are world-renowned for big game fishing.
  
  
Swaziland, now called e'Swatini
An easy trip to the border post
Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and also known as Swaziland is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, and south. At no more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) north to south and 130 kilometres (81 mi) east to west, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa. The climate and countryside ranges from cool and mountainous highveld to hot and dry lowveld.
Must see
- Maguga Dam
- Ngwenya Glass
- Beautiful scenery
- Excellent game reserves
- Ethnic market places and roadside stalls
- Cultural villages and other cultural experiences
Villa Candilabra Lodge makes for an excellent and safe base from which to explore.
God's Window
No brochure, website or travel magazine will prepare you for the spectacular view from God’s Window, one of the most scenic vantage points in South Africa, situated along the Panorama Route in the Mpumalanga province. God’s Window is a highlight along what is known as the Panorama Route in the eastern Mpumalanga province.
The natural wonders on the route range from cascading waterfalls to impressive mountain gorges. Along with God’s Window, other well-known spots on the route include Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, the Mac Mac Falls and the Blyde River Canyon. God’s Window is one the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve’s most spectacular viewpoints, with astonishing views over South Africa’s Lowveld (so-named because it is much lower than the high escarpment along which the Panorama Route runs.
At God’s Window, majestic cliffs plunge down 700m and, on a clear day, you'll be able to see over the famous Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on South Africa’s border Mozambique. The reserve is also home to various species of antelope, and viewing sites are provided along the length of the canyon. Known as the largest 'green canyon' in the world, the Blyde River Canyon is a 33km-long gorge that stretches from Bourke’s Luck Potholes to the Three Rondavels near Blydepoort Dam. Aside from its spectacular scenery, the canyon is one of the best birding spots in the country. It’s also a popular adventure destination.
  
  
Sudwala Caves
No special skills are needed for caving at the Sudwala Caves. Take the hour-long guided tour on foot into its biggest cavern and marvel at the amazing rock formations in the oldest caves in the world, or be more adventurous and occasionally take to hands and knees on the 5-hour Crystal Tour.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sudwala Caves' Horseshoe bats travel 200km per night consuming their own body weight in mosquitoes.
If you’re visiting the Mpumalanga province, don’t miss the opportunity to go caving at the Sudwala Caves, the oldest caves in the world. Although the caves were formed over a period of some 3 000-million years, they’ve only been accessible to the public since the 1960s. Early human ancestors, Homo Habilis, however, lived and worked in part of the caves some 1.8-million years ago.
See the display of their early tools at the caves' entrance. You don't need to be an expert caver, athlete or expert at anything when you go caving at Sudwala. All you need are your legs and a sense of wonder. As you begin the one-hour Cave Tour, your guide will tell you that in these awesome caves are fossils of collenia, the first oxygen-producing plants on Earth. You'll venture 600m into the caves and travel 150m underground. You won't feel claustrophobic because the central chamber of the cavern complex – 70m in diameter and 37m high – is as big as a 500-seater concert hall!
To this day, no-one has discovered the source of the steady stream of fresh air which keeps the chamber's temperature at a constant 17º Celsius. Your guide will point out fantastic natural sculptures and rock formations which adorn the grand cavern. Look out for the 150-million-year-old stalactite/stalagmite column The Lowveld Rocket or the 160-million-year-old Screaming Monster – mere youngsters compared to the venerable 200-million-year-old Samsons Pillar.
  
  
Chimp Eden
Leopard Creek Country Club
A Gary Player design, the scenic Leopard Creek Country Club boats innovative architectural landscaping, incorporating the surrounding nature into the course itself. As a result, wildlife is common either on the course or in the river which runs alongside several holes. The club is reserved mainly for members and guests, but arrangements can be made for visitors staying in nearby lodges. The clubhouse is located on the banks of the Crocodile River and features lovely views of the 9th and 18th hole. A fully stocked bar also is available, along with a pro shops for all your golfing needs.
Maputo International Airport
Maputo International Airport, sometimes called Lourenço Marques Airport or Mavalane International Airport, is situated 3 km northwest of central Maputo. Mozambique's largest airport is the centre for LAM Mozambique Airlines and Kaya Airlines, servicing regular flights within Africa. TAP Portugal offers flights to Lisbon in Portugal.
Airlines utilising Maputo International Airport:
LAM Mozambique Airlines - Beira, Chimoio, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Inhambane, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane, Tete, Vilanculos Moçambique Expresso
South African Airways - Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg
TAP Portugal - Lisbon, Johannesburg
Air Zimbabwe - Harare
Kenya Airways - Harare, Nairobi
Transairways - Bazaruto, Inhaca, Inhambane, Vilanculos
Letubi Quad Biking
Letubi offer mild to wild quad bike and scrambler trails for the whole family. Novice and more experienced and adventurous riders alike will enjoy action-packed scenic rides in the stunning Letubi Valley. Thirteen individually rated trails offer three levels of difficulty. Seasoned two- and four-wheel bikers can take up the 11 km endurance challenge. The 5.2 km flat track will test die-hard speed junkies. Those not keen to ride can simply kick back in beautiful surroundings.
Kambaku Komatipoort Golf Club
Kambaku Komatipoort Golf Club situated in Komatipoort Mpumalanga is a 9 hole course set in the wildest corner of South Africa. At the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers along the foothils of the Lebombo mountain range. Ideally situated close to the Kruger National Park nestles a unique gem of a golf course that will challenge each and every level of Golfer. With the breathtaking Lebombo Mountains as backdrop you can retreat to the Bushveld let your dreams take flight and enjoy a slice of heaven.
Komatipoort Golf Club
With prominent wildlife frequently spotted in the river, a round of golf at Komatipoort Golf Club can be an amazing experience. This 9-hole course is a locally developed project, and welcomes everyone to come and enjoy a round of golf. Facilities include a restaurant, full stocked bar, pro shop and practice area.
Lebombo 4x4 Trail
Komatipoort is a small town in the beautiful South African province of Mpumalanga, and is situated just outside the Kruger National Park. It is also only 11 kilometres from the Lebombo 4x4 Trail, which lures drivers from all over the world to tackle its varied terrain. This is an eco-trail that showcases some of the variety, abundance and wonders of South Africa. When paired with the adventure of the Lebombo Trail, the beauty of this route offers visiting and local drivers a world of excitement and fun.
It extends an impressive 525 kilometres and takes 100 hours to complete. It has a grading of between two and three, and stretches from the Crocodile Bridge to Pafuri. This one-way trail is a guided route that is made up of gravel roads and management tracks. There are some parts of the road that are more rugged, as well as steep slopes that present somewhat of a challenge and require the capabilities of 4x4 vehicles.
The trail takes drivers through the Kruger National Park and boasts some of the prettiest game driving in the world. As such, its appeal lies in the natural abundance of the area, rather than in the obstacles and challenge in particular. While tackling the trail, drivers and their passengers should keep a keen look-out for an almost endless array of plant and animal species.
Game viewing and bird watching can also be arranged on a more formal basis. The Lebombo 4x4 Trail is designed for real outdoor enthusiasts that want to submerge themselves into the untouched wonders of southern Africa. At its end, drivers will stand at the borders of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, enjoying breath-taking views and awe-inspiring vistas. |
