Adventure is calling — cherry-picked adventure activities in Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga is defined by adventure! Its incredible landscape of dramatic mountains, towering gorges and crashing waterfalls beg to be explored, with countless heart-stopping activities to tempt even the most timid of travellers.
The Panorama Route winds its way through the province, leading you to the best lookout spots, from standing at the edge of God’s Window and overlooking the Blyde River Canyon to marvelling at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and meandering through Graskop’s sights and sounds. If you are after an epic road trip, topped up with extreme sports, awe-inspiring nature and unrivalled views, Mpumalanga is the destination for you.
Most people don’t know that winter is, in fact, the best season to visit the Panorama Route. The heat and humidity of summer have passed, the days are still warm, while the nights are crisp. Winter, or the dry season, also sees the best game viewing as the foliage has thinned out and wildlife congregates around the waterholes.
With that in mind, check out these cherry-picked activities in Mpumalanga to tailor your bucket-list adventure.
Awe-inspiring hikes — for lovers of the great outdoors
Mpumalanga has several stunning waterfalls, with the highest being Lisbon Falls at 94 metres. Hiking to these beauties or watching from the edge as they plummet below down is a must for any hiker, but they aren’t the only must-see natural attractions. God’s Window is possibly the most popular, as its views stretch all the way to Mozambique on a clear day.
Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s largest canyons, is one of the province’s biggest drawcards. Walking trails within the canyon will leave you breathless (quite literally), as will the Three Rondavels viewpoint, which is a photographer’s dream.
Freefalling and flying — for the daredevils and bucket-list tickers
Forget bungee jumping, The Big Swing is the one to choose instead, especially if you are after a real thrill. This cable swing catapults you around Graskop Gorge after once you have jumped off the top of the waterfall and freefallen for 70 metres. Then once you’ve caught your breath, zipline across the Graskop Gorge at exhilarating speeds. Alternatively, a microlight flight or helicopter flip over the majestic landscapes will help you tick those bucket-list boxes from the sky.
Family-friendly — for the best kind of Brady Bunch
There is only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and it’s in Graskop – a glass elevator that takes passengers 51 metres down a sheer cliff face into an indigenous forest. The top half of the Graskop Gorge Lift is made of glass, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding area as you descend into the inner depths of the forest. The best part? It’s family and wheelchair-friendly, and when you reach the bottom of the gorge, wooden boardwalks lead you through the indigenous vegetation which is entertainingly explained through detailed signposts.
Spelunking — for the gold-diggers
Though there are certainly child-friendly tours through the Sudwala Caves – because it’s so much easier for them to fit through tiny crevices – this activity is not just aimed at families. Spelunking, also known as caving, allows you to crawl through a network of interleading caverns, experience pitch black, and learn about creatures of the night, as well as the evolution of cave systems. This is a geography lesson and an adventure all wrapped up in one.
Wildlife adventures in the Kruger National Park — for the wild at heart
Viewing the Big Five – but not only – in an open-air 4×4 vehicle in the Kruger National Park will make your heart beat fast in the best way. If you’re brave enough, take it up a notch and leave the 4×4 behind, when you venture into the wilderness on foot during a guided bush walk. Both types of safaris offer you a once-in-a-lifetime interaction with the African wilderness, sparking a new-found appreciation for the natural world. There are few things more electrifying than viewing feline predators only a few metres away.
Why stay with us?
Angels View is a vibrant hotel tastefully done up in colourful African aesthetics, right at the centre of all the action that the Panorama Route has to offer. It’s a few minutes from Graskop Gorge and a 45-minute scenic drive from the Big Five Kruger National Park. The far-reaching bird’s eye views will resonate with your love of the great outdoors. Combine that with spacious rooms, three swimming pools and a selection of restaurants and it’s really easy to see why it’s ideal for solo travellers, friends, couples, families or even corporates looking for a team-building getaway.