Mpumalanga & Limpopo
In the North Eastern part of South Africa lies Mpumalanga, a name that translates to “the place where the sun rises” in the Swazi language. A significant portion of Kruger National Park, lies in this region. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in the world, with nearly two million hectares of untamed bush. The Kruger and surrounding private game reserves offer luxury safari lodges with world class guides.
The Panorama Route is a stunning road trip in Mpumalanga. It’s like a journey through a picture book filled with amazing views, special rocks, and interesting stories. The biggest attraction is the Blyde River Canyon, which is the third biggest canyon in the world. There’s a place called Bourke’s Luck Potholes that looks like holes in the ground created by water over a very long time. You can also learn about history in places like Pilgrim’s Rest, a museum that’s like stepping back in time to the gold rush era, and Echo Caves, where you can explore underground tunnels.
To the north of Mpumalanga, the Limpopo region is located in the northernmost part of South Africa. This region boasts an array of landscapes, from the iconic Baobab trees of the arid northern regions to the lush, subtropical vegetation along the banks of the Limpopo River.
The Waterberg region, a 3 hour drive from Johannesburg is a breathtaking land of rugged sandstone mountains and stunning natural beauty, covering around 5,000 square kilometers. This UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve is a globally recognised sanctuary for nature conservation. With dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, pristine rivers and luxuriously secluded accommodation. You can hike, birdwatch, ride horses, and go biking and immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the local Bapedi people.
Best Time for a road trip:
May to October
Why:
The dry winter season is best for enjoying clear skies and stunning vistas along the Panorama Route, and for game viewing in the Kruger and Waterberg as the vegetation becomes sparse and water is restricted to rivers and waterholes.