Attractions
The spectacular scenery within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere competes with the best in the world. The contrasts are sensational- from the lush mist forest at God's Window to the semi-arid savannah, abundant with the African wildlife that dreams are made of. The harsh mountains of the Wolkberg are a world away from the rolling grasslands of the escarpment in the south. And all within a comfortable few hours drive of each other.
The Lowveld, anchored by the world-renowned Kruger National Park, is South Africa's second largest tourist drawcard by virtue of its sophisticated safari infrastructure.
We have devoted a section here to the numerous reserves and lodges that can cater for your every whim, from walking, horse riding or quad-biking with the 'Big Five' of the animal kingdom, to romantic moonlit picnics in the bush.
There are even Kruger golf courses where the thrill is sharpened by the possibility of an encounter with an elephant or lion!
The area is blessed with a diversity of natural splendour ranging from birding paradises to rainforest and the world's third deepest canyon.
We detail a representative sample of things to do in each of the local towns to enable you to get a feel for what the region has to offer.
There is something for all tastes here- meet Africa's most venomous snake face-to-face or explore the goldrush frozen in time.
Those in search of outdoor adventure will be sated by white water rafting, microlighting, hot air ballooning, kloofing, abseiling and rock climbing.
Courtesy: Otters Den
We also describe the local amenities and showcase what's on offer from restaurants to retail.
The area has an incredibly rich cultural history, and has been a point of confluence for a variety of diverse cultures. There are nine different local first languages spoken, as well as Afrikaans, English and other European languages, notably German and Portuguese.
There are impressive bushmen paintings at various sites within the Biosphere, and remains of the old iron age smelting sites.
There is a kaleidescope of outdoor trails on offer, both within areas where animals roam freely and outside. They range in length up to around five days and, depending on which you choose, you can encounter the Big Five, go swimming in mountain streams, or relax in beautiful grassland with flowers of the forests.
Some are short day trails- an opportunity for a bit of exercise or a leisurely stroll. Outside wildlife areas, many are self-guided, but both the Kruger National Park and the numerous private reserves offer guided wilderness trails.
Here one is able to experience the thrill of walking in big game country and sleeping under the stars.
There is also a selection of specialist trails available, for those with a particular interest. These include birding, botanical hikes, photographic safaris, horse trails and butterfly rambles.
Guided night drives in the protected areas are very popular amongst the tourists visiting the area. In addition to sighting a nocturnal animals, the drives also provide an opportunity to learn about the night skies and interpret the sounds of the bush at its most active time.
Hunting takes place on a number of game farms, and on some of the reserves. This may be for trophy or meat purposes, and it is strictly monitored by the respective conservation bodies.
Angling is available at various venues throughout the Biosphere Reserve. The kurper and exotic bass species are particularly frequently caught.
Kruger to Canyons offers accommodation to suit all pockets, from the world's leading five star safari luxury to budget backpackers retreats.
READ MORE
- Read about how to make the most from a visit to the Kruger National Park
- Read about the Greater Kruger region's activities - natural, cultural and outdoors
- Read about the Kruger's local towns and facilities
- Explore the Kruger2Canyons.com organised itineraries.
