Things to do in the Lowveld over the holidays
Don't be bored over the holidays, take a day or two and explore the various activities and attractions of the Lowveld.
It’s time for the December holidays, which means fun in the sun, good food and a lot of free time. If you don’t have the budget for a holiday by the ocean, why not visit some local attractions?
The Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit is family friendly and educational. Pack a picnic basket with treats, get the kids in the car and make a day of it. You can go see the waterfall, get a bit of exercise by following one of the trails or just relax in the shade with your picnic basket.
Go for a guided tour at Chimp Eden to see the chimpanzees. It is the only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa and is situated on a game reserve just outside Nelspruit.
Take a day trip to Kaapsehoop and go see the wild horses. Besides loads of photo opportunities, the quaint town offers a ghost and historical tour, an escarpment walk with a beautiful view of the Barberton valley and a few places to eat.
Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park in Hazyview will fascinate the boys with snakes, crocodiles, spiders, lizards, frogs and a few farmyard animals like potbellied pigs, ducks and geese.
Another treat for the men in the household is the White River History and Motor Museum in the Casterbridge Centre. Learn more about automobile history and see some beautiful vintage cars.
The SudwalaCaves are the oldest caves on earth and a popular tourist attraction. Marvel at an 11m high stalagmite, mammoth corridors and halls on the walking tour or book a private tour of the Crystal Chamber deep into the caves.
Next to the SudwalaCaves, DinosaurPark takes you back in time with life-size dinosaur models. Displays with scientifically accurate representations depict the development of life through the different ages. The forms of Mr. and Ms. Pless, million year old Southern apes have sparked intense debates on mankind’s origin.
If you go on a road trip in the direction of Kaapmuiden, keep an eye out for the remnants of rock art inspired by Nukain Mabusa’s Garden of Flowers. This interesting outdoor painting consists of painted boulders, rumoured to have been the result of the artist’s boredom.
Experience the beauty of the Panorama route and visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Be sure to take your camera with, as metal bridges give you a bird’s eye view of the rocks that have been eroded into interesting circular shapes.
On the same route, you can stop and view the majestic Three Rondavels, three mountaintops that look like traditional round African homesteads. They were once known as the Chief and his wives, after Mapjaneng, a chief famous for opposing invading Swazis, and three of his more troublesome wives.
Stopping at God’s Window is a must if you are travelling on the Panorama Route. It offers a breathtaking view of the Lowveld and on clear days you can see across the KrugerNational Park into Mozambique. Vendors sell a variety of curios, so be sure to barter with them when something catches your eye.
Visiting these spots will ensure that a holiday at home will not be boring. Whether you enjoy the calm of a nature reserve or the rush of a quad bike trail, there is something for everyone to enjoy this summer.
Sources: https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/mpumalanga/bysuburb/nelspruit/, https://www.sudwalacaves.com/, https://www.dinosaurpark.co.za/, https://www.perrysbridgereptilepark.com/,
