Landing at the picturesque thatched Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (or “Kruger airport”), just outside Nelspruit, pick up your hire car, and take an easy 40 km drive through the bushveld terrain to the small country town of Sabie. Sabie takes its name from the Shangaan word uluSaba, meaning “river of fear”, after the local river which was notorious for its raging currents and fearsome crocodiles.
Situated in the magnificent Drakensberg escarpment mountains of Mpumalanga (“land of the rising sun”), Sabie is close to the Kruger National Park, and nestles in a valley surrounded by misty mountains full of roaring waterfalls and dramatic canyons. The Panorama Route meanders through dramatic landscapes, breathtaking views and areas steeped in history. Archaeological evidence shows that the area was originally home to the Bushman/San and Pedi people. In more recent history the area had long been a popular rest camp area for explorers and hunters when the chance discovery of gold in 1895 led to the development of Sabie as a gold rush town. .
This area has the highest density of waterfalls in South Africa and a wonderful way to spend a day is to drive the 100 km round trip of the popular local “Waterfalls Tour”. The falls are at their most spectacular during the rainy season (October to April), but make a popular year-round destination.
Make an early start to the day with a drive to the sparkling rocky pools of the popular MacMac Falls, where you can take an early morning dip in the pools and enjoy your breakfast coffee.
A short walk from MacMac Falls takes you to the Maria Shires Falls surrounded by indigenous forest. These falls are not frequently visited by tourists, and the lonely graves close by give this beautiful area a sense of peace and nostalgia.
Lone Creek Waterfall is situated along the Sabie River, just 10 km outside Sabie. The river cascades from almost 70 metres high, producing a magical misty rainforest environment where mosses and ferns abound.
The beautiful Bridal Veils Falls and the unique beauty of Horseshoe Falls are also situated along the Sabie River. Horseshoe Falls offers another tempting spot to stop and admire the natural beauty of the area. There is a scenic walk through the forest to the river, where you can enjoy swimming, picnicking and a spot of trout fishing
Looking for more adventure? Thrill seekers can enjoy the adrenaline rush of the Graskop Gorge Swing, or experience the Graskop Falls while flying across the gorge on a “foefie slide” 80 m above the ground.
The spectacular Berlin Falls can be viewed from a specially built observation platform, from where it plunges 80 metres down into a deep green pool. Just 5 km away you will find the lovely deep pool of Watervalspruit where you can swim and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Enjoy lunch at one of the lovely picnic spots in the vicinity of Lisbon Falls nearby.
Wind down your day with sundowners on the Misty Mountain hotel pool deck, with panoramic vistas of the mountains reflected in the pool as the sun goes down.
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