Things to do and see (local):
Panorama Route – Central to this route is Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world.
Three Rondawels Lookout – Blyde River Canyon
On entering the Panoramic Route via Long Tom Pass from Lydenburg, at 2,149 metres above sea-level you travel along the highest tarred road in South Africa. It gets its name from the cannons used by the Boers against the British in 1900. From the crest of Mount Anderson look down 1,000 metres to South Africa’s largest man made forest and the town of Sabie which boasts the largest sawmill in South Africa.
Visit the Sabie Forestry Museum and see the three spectacular waterfalls, Horse Shoe, Lone Creek, and Bridal Veil. Between Sabie and Graskop you pass Mac Mac Falls. Pilgrims Rest is an old gold mining town frozen in time, now a national museum with an opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Graskop, situated on the magnificent Drakensburg Escarpment above Knowyn’s Pass, is the gateway to Blyde River Canyon, the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Lisbon and Berlin Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.
Animal Rehabilitation Programmes, Hoedspruit & Hazyview
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre (Hoedspruit area) – A home for many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife and a highly regarded contributor to wildlife education in the country. Situated in the shadow of the majestic “Mariepskop” the unique Rehabilitation Centre is home to many animals and birds. Some of them are the rescued Lions from an Egyptian Circus; Queen the Crowned Eagle, Chui the Leopard, Jolly & Juba the Cheetah ambassadors and many more. The Centre has a long standing and successful Serval Breeding Project which is a success story all of its own. Having bred and released over 160 back into areas where they have previously become extinct.
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre – The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Cheetah Conservation is one of their core disciplines. The Centre is actively involved in:
- The breeding of endangered, vulnerable or rare animal species
- The release and establishment of captive-bred cheetahs to the wild
- The treatment and rehabilitation of orphaned or injured animals which are brought to the Centre
- The education of learners, students and the general public in conservation and conservation activities
- A hands-on Student’s Programme to conservation and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.
Suggested Itineraries:
Direct to Shindzela: Johannesburg – Dullstroom (Brunch) – Lydenburg – Orighstad – Hoedspruit – Shindzela
If you have a few days spare in the area:
Route 1: Johannesburg – Dullstroom – Lydenburg – Panoramic Route (Long Tom Pass) – Pilgrims rest and Graskop (overnight). The next day, continue along the R532 along the Blyde River Canyon and take in sights such as God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondawels. Continue to Shindzela and check in at camp by 14h30
Route 2: Johannesburg – Nelspruit – Hazyview (overnight). The next day, depart Hazyview for Graskop and the Panorama Route along the R532 and take in sights such as God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondawels. Continue to Shindzela and check in at camp by 14h30. You could also add an additional night in Hazyview and do a half day or full day self-drive game drive in the Kruger National Park, using Paul Kruger Gate or Phabeni Gates of the Kruger
Route 2: Johannesburg – Dullstroom – Lydenburg – Panoramic Route (Long Tom Pass) – Pilgrims rest and Graskop (overnight). The next day, continue along the R532 along the Blyde River Canyon and take in sights such as God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondawels. Continue to Shindzela and check in at camp by 14h30
Spend a few night’s at Shindzela. Leave camp and depart for the Kruger National Park via the Orpen Gate. Two night sin Kruger. Exit Kruger to the south and travel back to Johannesburg, or continue to Swaziland or Natal.
Route 3: Johannesburg – Dullstroom – Lydenburg – Panoramic Route (Long Tom Pass) – Pilgrims rest and Graskop (overnight). The next day, continue along the R532 along the Blyde River Canyon and take in sights such as God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondawels. Continue to Shindzela and check in at camp by 14h30.
Swaziland Cultural Experience
Spend a few nights at Shindzela. Depart from camp for Hazyview and Swaziland. (overnight) Continue along the Natal Coast taking in Hluhluwe-Umflozi Reserve and St Lucia. End in Richards Bay or Durban
