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Within a radius of about 50km you can visit many of the
Master Landscape Gardener's work including The Pinnacle,
God's Window, Wonder View, Lisbon and Berlin waterfalls,
Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Blyde River
Canyon (Reputed to be the third largest in the world),
Forest Falls (which requires a short hike), Jock of the
Bushveld's memorial site, Mac Mac Falls, Mac Mac Pools,
Lonecreek Falls, Bridal Vale and Horse-shoe Falls
amongst other spectacular sites.
The Kruger National Park is a mere
58km from WESTLODGE
and daily visits are possible returning from the heat of
the bushveld to the cool, inviting, pine-scented
atmosphere of Graskop!! It is also possible to visit
animal rehabilitation centres within an easy drive of
Graskop.
There are many walks and hikes in and around Graskop.
Because of its mountainous terrain Graskop is a cyclists
paradise.
There are many trout fishing sites and streams in the
area.
And for more energetic! Set in the historic and
beautiful surroundings of Pilgrims Rest, is a well
maintained 9 hole golf course.
PLACES OF INTEREST TO VISIT IN AND AROUND
GRASKOP AND HOEDSPRUIT
BACKGROUND
The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is situated along
the Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment and covers an area
of about 30 000 hectares extending from The Pinnacle and
God’s Window in the south to beyond Mariepskop and the
Three Rondavels in the north where the Blyde Canyon ends
at Swadini.
FLORA AND FAUNA
(With grateful acknowledgement to Mrs Hester Theron of
the Mpumalanga Parks Board for this information)
Whilst the area is rich in both, of particular interest
is the lichen, which you will see on most all the rock
faces in the Canyon; at the Strydom Tunnel and along the
Drakensberg as you drive north and east along the R36.
A lichen consists of two parts, an algae and a fungus.
The algae (5% of the plant) provides food for the
Thallus, through the process of photosynthesis. The
fungal part provides moisture and shelter (95% )
Lichens do not have stems, roots or leaves. The part you
see growing on rocks and trees is called the Thallus
Lichens also have two growth forms:
Endolithic or ‘mole’ lichens which grow inside
substrates and are usually so well camouflaged that they
cannot be seen. The other growth form is;
Epilithic. These lichens grow on surfaces as diverse as
insects, rocks, bark, soil, leaves, under water, on
house roofs, glass, walls etc. and are visible to the
naked eye. Epilithic lichens are sub-divided into three
growth forms:
Crustose or ‘crusty’ lichens. They grow very slowly at a
rate of about 0,4mm to 3mm per year.
Foliose or ‘leafy’ lichens. These grow at a rate of
about 25mm per annum and are used as food, shelter,
camouflage by insects and birds.
Fruticose or ‘shrubby’ lichens. These may be found in
lengths of 30mm to 5m eg. ‘Old Man’s Beard’ hanging from
trees at God’s Window. They can grow up to 150mm per
year.
More than 1 200 species lichen are found in South
Africa. They are vital in nature for soil formation,
food, oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles.
They are also used to indicate air pollution as they
grow prolifically in pure air; are used in the
manufacture of perfumes; traditional beers and
medicines, antibiotics, preservation of mummies and as
dye for wool.
  
SCENIC ATTRACTIONS
Panorama Route
From “Westlodge” travel along the R532. About 1 km from
“Westlodge” there is a turn-off to the right, onto the
R534 which is a 15,4 km ‘loop’ along the escarpment and
which rejoins the R532 at a point 8,1 km from Graskop
Pinnacle Rock.
This is a tall column of weathered quartzite littered
with brightly coloured aloes. It rises 30 m above the
indigenous forest in the surrounding Driekop Gorge. This
is also the source of the Ngwaritsana River which
cascades through the narrow cleft on the right, at the
head of the gorge.
God’s Window.
The view onto the escarpment forest is ‘framed’ by the
vertical cliffs of a deep gorge. From this ‘window’ a
paved path leads along the escarpment and includes a
fairly ‘stiff’ walk to Quartzkop and the ‘Rain Forest’
with its natural garden below a canopy of trees;
brightly coloured aloes in the winter and set off by
outcrops of sandstone weathered into haunting
prehistoric shapes. A trail leads through the rain
forest to ‘Wonderview’. At 1 750 m above sea level, the
walk also offers magnificent views across the Lowveld
with its afforested area in the foreground; Kruger
National Park beyond that and the Lebombo mountains in
the distance which form the natural border with
Mozambique.
  
Lisbon Falls.
A treble cascade of water plummets 95 m to a pool at the
bottom. Beware, the area is not fenced whilst a few
careless visitors have fallen to their death over the
falls.
Berlin Falls.
Named after the farm on which it is situated, a single
stream of water falls 45 m to a pool at the bottom.
There is a path used by locals to cross the falls at the
top with some spectacular views.
This area is typical of the early years (during the
latter half of the 19th century) when those seeking
their fortunes panned the streams looking for alluvial
gold.
From the Berlin Falls the R532 will take you through
dense Pine and Eucalyptus plantations. Some 33 km from
Graskop the road links up with the Treur river and the
southern reaches of the Blyde River Canyon. The
spectacular and breathtaking rock formations and
scattered waterfalls during the summer months are
covered with orange and yellow lichen, which are most
impressive during the afternnon when the sun shines onto
them.
  
Voortrekker monument.
Insignificant in stature, it neverthelss signifies the
epic horseback and ox wagon journeys of Louis Trichardt
and Andries Hendrik Potgieter in their tireless attempts
to establish a trade route and links with the Portuguese
in Delagoa Bay, now Maputo, to get as far away as
possible from the influence of the British who had
occupied the Cape; annexed Natal and were showing an
‘unhealthy’ interest in the gold fields of the
Witwatersrand in the Transvaal.
The trek under Louis Trichardt ended in disaster. After
crossing the Lowveld, their oxen started dying from the
Nagana disease caused by the Tsetse fly, whilst fever
caused by the malaria mosquito made its appearance among
the Voortrekkers. They eventually reached Delagoa Bay on
13 April 1838. Eventually 27 of the party died including
Trichardt - a sad ending to an epic journey.
Some seven years later another attempt was made to reach
Delagoa Bay under the leadership of Andries Potgieter.
Coming from a southerly direction (Lydenburg and
Ohrigstad) they found their way impeded by the
Drakensberg mountain range. During their efforts to
cross the mountains, Kasper Kruger, the father of Paul
Kruger, found a negotiable route that to this day is
known as Kasper’s Nek. They outspanned their oxen in an
area that, today, is known as Graskop. Potgieter
attempted to negotiate a way down an animal path which
today is known as Kowyn’s Pass.
Faced with the daunting task of descending to the Lowveld below, Potgieter decided to leave their wagons
and families behind and to proceed on horseback. It was
agreed they would break camp and leave the site (Graskop)
and return home (to Potchefstroom) if he and his party
had not returned within a certain specified period.
When the agreed date arrived and Potgieter had not
returned, they broke camp presuming their husbands and
adult children had seccumbed to the fever and ravages of
the Lowveld. They named the river which they crossed
“Treurrivier” (River of Sorrow). A few days later,
whilst fording another river on 22 July 1844, they heard
the sound of horsemen and gunshots heralding the return
of the exploratory party of Potgieter and his men. Such
was the joy of being reunited with their families, they
named the stream, “Blyderivier” (River of Joy)
Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
The confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers is one of
the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country.
Through countless millennia the swirling whirlpools at
the confluence of the rivers caused water-borne sand and
rocks to grind deep cylindrical potholes into the
bedrock.
Some of the interesting natural and socio-historic
features of the reserve are on display at the Visitors’
Centre.
The “Potholes” also marks the start of the Blyde River
Canyon.
  
Blyde River Canyon.
Reputed to be the third largest canyon in the world
after the Grand Canyon (US of A) and the Fish River
Canyon (Northern Cape), it is a scenic spectacle within
the 30 000 hectare Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
which also contains a major dam at the bottom. The 57 km
nature reserve belt runs from Graskop along the
escarpment.
Owing to the high-lying southern section that has a high
rainfall (about 3 000 mm per annum at God’s Window);
extensive grasslands and dense areas of natural rain
forests will be encountered.
The Lowveld Viewsite
A panoramic view of both the Canyon and the Lowveld is
afforded from this view site.
The Three Rondavels Viewsite
A number of battles between the local Bapedi tribes and
the Swazi Impis form part of the early history of the
area. The final Battle of Moholoholo took place in 1864
around Mariepskop, which was named after the Mapulana
chief, Maripi Mashile, who assisted and led the Bapedi
to victory.
It is alleged the Bapedi fled up Mariepskop and rolled
large rocks down on the Swazi Impi below.
The Three Rondavels are named after three of the many
wives of chief Maripi Mashile. On the left is Magabolle,
1 354m above sea level; Mogoladikwe, 1 377m above sea
level and Maseroto, 1 465m above sea level. Mariepskop
with an elevation of 1 944m above sea level, is a
flat-topped peak and was also the chief Maripi Mashile.
It is the one with all the masts and radar dish! This
was an air force radar station during the Apartheid era
which kept watch of the Mozambique and Zimbabwean
borders in case of incursions. A squadron of Mirage and
Cheetah interceptor fighter aircraft were stationed at
Hoedspruit at the time.
Continue along the R532 past the Aventura Blyde River
Canyon Resort where there are a number of spectacular 2
to 3 hour hiking trails.
After a fairly steep descent to the fertile and
well-irrigated valley below you will eventually arrive
at a “T” intersection. At this point you could either
turn left onto the R36 and travel south or right and
travel north
THE SOUTHERN ROUTE
Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve.
This dam forms the focal point for the 2 500 hectare
reserve and is good for fishing (bass, carp, tilapia and
large scale yellow fish) and non-motorized water sport.
There is excellent bird watching.
Continue along the R533 over
Pilgrim’s Rest
The first gold rush in South Africa took lace in 1873
when payable gold was discovered on the farm
“Geelhoutboom” near Sabie. President Burgers of the
Transvaal Republic, who visited the site, named the camp
‘MacMac’ because of the large number of Scottish diggers
in the area. One of the ‘MacMac’ diggers, Alex
‘Wheelbarrow’ Patterson (so named because he carried his
worldly possessions in a wheelbarrow) left the area and
started prospecting further a field. He found payable
gold in the Pilgrim’s Creek but despite endeavouring to
keep his find a secret, a second prospector, William
Trafford, found the same deposit of gold.
News spread like wildfire triggering the first major
gold rush in South Africa. Pilgrim’s Rest was declared a
gold field on 22 September 1873. he Gold Commissioner
moved his office to Pilgrim’s Rest and by the end 1873
there were some 1 500 diggers working 4 000 claims in
and around Pilgrim’s Rest. He valley was rich in gold
with large finds being made at Starvation Gully, Peach
Tree Creek, Brown’s Hill, Poverty Creek, Golden Point
and Breakneck Gully – the names giving testimony of the
diggers’ sentiments!
The town was declared a National Monument in 1986 and is
today filled with tour busses from every corner of the
globe; endless curio shops; street vendors shoving nuts
and other ‘African Objects de Art’ up your nose with the
endless stream of ‘car wash’ caddies. Beware!
Proceed along the R533 back to Graskop.
The round trip is about 193km
  
THE NORTHERN ROUTE
As you turn right onto the R36 you will start your
ascent of the Abel Erasmus Pass and eventually pass
through the Strydom Tunnel. A short descent will take
you into the ‘bushveld’. Notice the seemingly flat
terrain with its abundance of thorn and other Acacia
trees. Notice also the lichen on the rock and cliff
faces of the Drakensberg mountains.
A short distance from the tunnel the road becomes the
R527 and on the left you will come across -
Monsoon Gallery & the Mad Dogz Restaurant
This complex of buildings comprises an African curio and
gift shop and the well-known “Mad Dogz” restaurant.
Light meals are served here should you be in the area at
lunchtime.
Continue along the R527. The Swadini Reptile Park is on
the left if you like that sort of thing. There are tours
by experienced guides.
At this point turn right onto the R531
About 15km along this road and the first turn-off to the
right will take you to the Aventura Swadini Blyde River
Canyon holiday resort. This spot is very popular as a
caravan and camping destination with magnificent, old
trees.
Continue along the R531. The next place of PRIME
interest is:
Moholoholo (Closed most Sundays)
Moholoholo Wild Life Rehabilitation Centre specialises
in the rehabilitation of raptors. The tour starts with a
talk and is followed by a guided walking tour.
When we last visited the centre they had the Martial
eagle (one of the largest) and the Crowned eagle (one of
the most powerful) in Africa in captivity. Because these
birds are territorial they cannot easily be released
back into the wild again.
They also have vultures in captivity and part of the
tour involves entering the cage with the birds to feed
them, off your gauntlet-covered arm.
There are other animals in the centre from time-to-time
where they are attended to and, where possible, are
released back into the wild.
At the time of writing there were lion and a leopard at
the Centre
National Geographic have recently been involved in
filming the activities of the Centre
There are 2 visits daily (except Sunday) at 09:30 and
15:00. The tours last 2,5 hrs
http://www.moholoholo.co.za
  
Garden of Eden (Closed on Sunday)
A few kilometres from Moholoholo, on the R531 and on the
right, is a turn-off, on a dirt road, to this garden
nursery on a farm. It has taken the wives of two
generations of owners some 40 years to establish the
luscious tropical garden. There is a small tea garden
serving tasty light lunches. Worth a visit, even for a
cup of tea or cold refreshment
Hoedspruit Cheetah Breeding Project (on the “Kapama”
Game Farm)
This is a unique project offering tours lasting 2 to 2,5
hrs on the hour, every hour and situated on the R40 to Hoedspruit.
Each tour starts with an informative video presentation
in their auditorium. You will then be taken, in an open
vehicle, to see the cheetah, including the extremely
rare and seldom seen King Cheetah. The tour will include
a visit to the vulture restaurant and an introduction to
the “Painted Wolf” or “Cape Hunting Dog” An extended
tour (an extra hour) will include a visit to the lions,
including the rare “Barbary Lion”
www.wildlifecentre.co.za
  
It
is time to return home. You should
drive south along the R40 which will take you past Klaserie and through Acornhoek and Bushbuck Ridge where
you must turn right onto the R533 to Graskop and “Westlodge”
with a hot cup of tea or coffee – maybe even an ice cold
beer!!!!
The Klaserie area was cattle ranching country after the
last World War and hence the many ‘English’ names which
still abound. The farms were purchased by the Apartheid
government for resettlement by our black population.
This area is alleged to now be the home of some 3 to 4
million black members of our population – many living in
poverty
The round trip is about 245km
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