Kruger Region (Mpumalanga)
The Kruger National Park - The world-renowned
Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks
with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the
wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of
nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger National Park is unrivalled
in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced
environmental management techniques and policies.
Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger
is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish,
34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's
interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries
- from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites
like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger
National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons
and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National
Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.
Local Places of Interest, Activities and Tours of the Surrounding
Areas
Bourkes Luck - At the confluence of the Blyde
and Treur Rivers in Mpumalanga is an amazing geological formation
known as the Bourkes Luck Potholes. The scouring of water-borne
pebbles over countless centuries has carved out a collection
of surreal rock shapes which really look spectacular. They are
named after a miner, Tom Bourke, who struck it lucky at a mine
he opened nearby
God's Window - At God's Window on the Escarpment,
majestic cliffs plunge over 900 meters to the Lowveld and the
game reserves which have made the area one of Africa's prime
wildlife destinations. From this Escarpment - a 250km long rampart
of sheer cliffs - it indeed seems as if one can see forever!
With its magnificent views, rock formations, canyons and waterfalls,
the Lowveld Escarpment is truly an area of breathtaking scenic
grandeur. Known as Paradise Country, this lush region has several
spectacular natural features, The canyon forms part of a nature
reserve, inhabited by various species of antelope, wild cat
and birds, including the eagle, ibis, parrot and loerie. Viewing
sites are provided along the length of the canyon and there
are numerous walks, hiking, horse and mountain bike trails.
The
Town of Pilgrims Rest - A living museum, the entire
town has been declared a national Monument - taking the visitors
to the day of old Transvaal Gold Rush. Pilgrim's Rest was declared
a gold field in 1873, soon after digger Alec "Wheelbarrow"
Patterson had found gold deposits in Pilgrim's Creek. The Valley
proved to be rich in gold and by the end of the year, there
where about 1500 diggers working in the area. As a result, Pilgrim's
Rest became a social center of the diggings. Mining was active
until 1971 when Beta Mine was closed down. Transvaal Gold Mining
Estates opened again in 1999 and there is active gold mining
in the hills around Pilgrim's Rest. Pilgrims Rest is now the
home of “World Gold Panning Championships”
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