More About The Regions
GAUTENG
This province is
the commercial heart of South Africa
containing the important cities of
Johannesburg and Pretoria. Despite the
urbanisation of the Johannesburg region,
there are plenty opportunities for
getting back to nature. Game farms, dams,
lakes and rivers (for watersports and
fishing, hiking trails), and picnic spots
are plentiful and the Hartebeespoort Dam
and Vaal River area are a particularly
popular recreational spots.
The province is
described as "The Heartbeat of
Africa". Johannesburg, known as the
"City of Gold" or Egoli, is the
commercial powerhouse of South Africa.
Pretoria is
about 30 miles north of Johannesburg is
the country's administrative capital, is
known as the 'Jacaranda City' after the
purple-blossomed trees which bloom in
such profusion in late September-October,
the South African spring time. It is a
fascinating melting pot of different
culture - South Africa is one city.
Outside the city are bushveld game farms
as well as more than 100 nature reserves
and bird sanctuaries of which the
Rietvlei Nature Reserve is the largest
MPUMALANGA
This is one of the
premier tourist areas of South Africa
offering a variety of tourist routes,
each with its own special attractions. An
appealing diversity of cultures,
featuring some of the most colourful and
interesting tribal groupings in the
country, is a particular highlight.
Mpumalanga is a sportsman's paradise.
There are golf courses in some of the
province's most scenic areas. Hang-gliding,
micro-lighting and para-gliding are
popular and hiking is available
throughout the province with the world-renowned
Kruger National Park offering guided
walks for small groups. Large dams
provide the opportunity for watersports
whilst dams and streams in the high
country attract trout fishermen.
The landscapes of the escarpment are
dramatic. The eastern faces of the
mountains are particularly steep,
plunging hundreds of metres down to the
Kruger National Park and Mozambique. The
Blyde River Canyon, one of the great
natural features of Southern Africa and
the third largest canyon in the world, is
a majestic, red sandstone gorge whose
almost sheer cliff-face plunges nearly a
kilometre below. Dominating the gorge are
the triple peaks known as the "Three
Rondavels".
The Blyde River Botanical Reserve is
situated in South Africa’s Blyde
River Canyon, which is renowned for its
breath-taking beauty, and its towering
peaks, broad, fast-flowing rivers and
green indigenous forest.
Gold diggers, transport-riders and big
game hunters roamed the area and have
left behind a fascinating history. The
village of Pilgrim's Rest is a national
monument where visitors are transported
back to the days of the early gold rush
of the late 19th century. Other tourist
attractions, Barberton, Sabi and the Long
Tom Pass gives an intriguing glimpse into
a colourful past The area known as the
Lowveld is the haunt of big game. West of
the Kruger National Park are number of
private game reserves, each with its own
distinct character.
More In depth information on this region
can be found here
LIMPOPO PROVINCE (formally
the Northern Province)
Here is a region
of vastness and variety, with a
culturally rich and diverse people. The
NI from Johannesburg literally splits the
province in two, providing tourists with
easy access to all areas.
The Southern
Region is famous for its many hot spring
resorts with the Nylsvlei wetland,
unspoilt mountains and flowing streams of
the Waterberg. Wildlife in the game
reserves is abundant and the scenery
ranges from rolling hills to mighty
cliffs of stark red rock.
To the east lies
the immense wildlife heritage of the
Kruger National Park. By contrast,
visitors can breathe in the cool evening
air amongst the mountains and rivers of
the lowveld. This unhurried and timeless
region is known as "The Valley of
the Olifants" (Elephants).
In the centre is
the vibrant capital city of Polokwane (Pietersburg)
- the industrial and commercial heart of
the Great North. Here gold was first
mined and smelted in the 19th century.
The very earliest hominid fossils were
discovered close by, in the historic
caves of the Makapan Valley.
Sweeping across
from the Northwest - and flowing along
the northern border - is the Limpopo
River Valley, a vast, natural area with
cultures that date back to the Iron Age.
Here are hilltop fortifications, and San
(Bushmen) paintings and cave dwellings
unchanged from the ancient past.
To the west lies
the real bushveld, almost endless except
for the hazy blue of distant mountains.
Amongst the tangle of vegetation grow old
baobab trees, their branches looking like
roots thus creating a striking silhouette
against a fiery sunset.
This is a land
of legend, ruins and relics. The Venda
people are intensely superstitious and
place great store in rites and rituals.
In the python dance, teenage girls
perform a slow, rhythmic dance to the
throb of drums. Part of the folklore of
the North Sotho people is the legendary
Rain Queen, Modjadji, while the Tsonga
produce beautiful arts and crafts.
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