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SSo, you’ll be visiting Mpumalanga and have just two days in which to see the best that this province has to offer.  Of course, two days isn’t nearly enough time to see it all, but the following “hotspot” will help you make the most of every minute! Mpumalanga is “the place where the sun rises”, and while it may be among South Africa's smallest provinces, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in spectacular natural diversity. Not only is Mpumalanga home to the world-famous Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon, the region is also dotted with numerous reserves teeming with flora and fauna. No other place in South Africa showcases natural beauty better than Mpumalanga.

WWe suggest you base yourself in nearby Sabie (30km rom Graskop), Hazyview (40km from Graskop) or White River (75km from Graskop) as you can easily do a short trip from any of these places. If you only have two days we suggest you embark on a self-drive journey along the famous Panorama Route and enjoy the following stops…

Get your first day going with an early start, grab a coffee and hit the road. If you are an adrenaline junkie you’re in luck. At Graskop, the gateway to the route, you will find the Big Swing, one of the world’s highest cable gorge swings. You can either free fall for 68m or fly across the gorge on the high-wire “foefie slide” 130m above the ground.

AAfter some adrenaline pumping stuff hit the road again, between Graskop and Blyde River Canyon you’ll find the Berlin Falls as well as the Lisbon Falls. Yet, even before the official start of the route, there are a number of waterfalls/pools each worth visiting, such as Lone Creek and Mac Mac Falls.

The Mac Mac Falls are lovely and an ideal place to stop to enjoy the picnic tables under the shade of the pine trees. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon splashing in the many rock pools and chilling by the main waterfall at the top. There are various walks that start by the pools, such as the Fanie Botha Hiking Trail to President Burger Hut as well as the Secretary Bird Day Trail.

DDay two  

Make your way northwards from Graskop along the R534, you’ll encounter three famous viewing spots, namely The Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window and Wonder View.

The Panorama Route drive follows the eastern escarpment of the province and takes in God’s Window, the third largest canyon in the world. Here we suggest you stop, take in the view and enjoy the largest green canyon – the Blyde River Canyon. Further along this route you’ll also get to see Bourke’s Luck Potholes, another viewing and “Instagram-worthy” stop. End your second day at the magnificent Three Rondawels – the view will take your breath away and makes for a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Two days is not enough to include a visit to the Kruger Park, but we suggest you return soon and visit the National Park, a Shot’Left experience all on its own, an immersion into both the incredible wildness and unpredictability of the true bushveld, the heart of the animal kingdom, and what it is to roam free on the plains of Africa.

Book a Sho’t Left to Mpumalanga today!

AAdditional info

WHERE - This is a circular route starting and ending in Sabie:
Drive from Sabie - R532 to Graskop.
From Graskop - Follow R532 for 2 km.
Turn off on R534 circular road back towards R532. 
Drive on R532 north towards Ohrigstad.
From Ohrigstad return via Lydenburg on R36 or via Pilgrim's Rest on R533.

WHEN - Day drive for best visibility.

CONTACT - For additional info contact Mpumalanga Tourism on +27 (0)13 769-5300

Where to stay – you can overnight at any of these small towns, Pilgrim’s Rest, Sabie, Graskop, Ohrigstad and Hazyview along the way.

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