Activities & Tours
Ancient Tribal Culture Tour
Day 1: Basambilu to Botshabelo
Enjoy breakfast at Basambilu and depart for Middelburg, Mpumalanga. A few kilometers north of the small town of Middelburg you’ll explore the ancient tribal village of Botshabelo, and its pioneer village of the more recent past.
Botshabelo is a National Heritage Site conserving an old Berlin Missionary Society Settlement dating back to the 1870’s. Old structures dating back to this thriving settlement, such as the blacksmith shop, missionary church, parsonage, stables and Fort Merensky are all open to visitors.
Botshabelo is also internationally renowned for the preservation of the Ndebele culture, a unique branch of the larger tribe, the Nguni people. Their rich cultural heritage is endangered and only a few settlements have managed to preserve the traditional ceremonies and still show their identity through the unique colorful decoration of their houses. These colorful decorations are also reflected in the clothes and beaded jewelry of the women which they wear to denote their family’s social status.
Your homestay in the village will include Botshabelo’s famous Ndebele tribal performance around a fire. A traditional meal will be served, while you enjoy the tranquil Highveld evenings under the starlit southern skies.
Overnight: Botshabelo – Breakfast & Dinner
Day 2: Botshabelo
Enjoy an early breakfast and hit the trails. Today you will have the opportunity to experience the 6 km to 12 km game trails on Botshabelo’s 3,000ha game reserve.
You’ll encounter antelope species such as Blesbok, Springbok, Duiker, Zebra, Black Wildebeest, and if you are lucky, the rare Eland plus a large variety of bird species.
Overnight Botshabelo – Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3: Sudwala Caves
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and head off to the Sudwala Caves to join the Crystal Tour.
The Crystal Tour is something altogether different, for the really adventurous traveler and explorer. The tour takes you 2,000 meters into the Sudwala cave, culminating on the outskirts of the crystal chamber, with its splendid array of sparkling aragonite crystals. The tour is literally a once in a lifetime experience.
The route is moderately difficult with stretches of crawling involved, and occasionally a little wading through underground streams, so be prepared to get a little wet! The duration of the tour is approximately 5 hours.
Next stop the picturesque historic town of Graskop.
Overnight: Graskop – Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Graskop and Pilgrims Rest
On day 4 you have a leisurely wander on the streets of Graskop and Pilgrims Rest, the oldest mining town in South Africa, now a declared National Heritage Site. Take a stroll down the street of this old mining town and let your imagination take over. Soon your mind will transport you to yesteryear with gold prospectors, ox wagons and the lively music from the canteens.
Visit the beautiful Mac-Mac Falls, one of the most photographed sites in the Lowveld where the Mac-Mac River cascades 65 meters before carrying on its way. Named for Mac-Mac village (mainly inhabited by Scots, therefore the unique name), it was the site of the gold rush of 1873.
Overnight: Graskop – Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5: Graskop – visit Panorama Route
Today you’ll explore the Panorama Route. On to Blyde River Canyon, the largest Green Canyon in the world and the third largest overall. View the Three Rondawels, huge cylinders of rock with hut-like pointy 'roofs', rising out of the far wall of the canyon.
Continue to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, magnificent water sculptured sandstone pools where you can toss a coin to make a wish at this. Minor imperfections in the dolomite rock have been worn away by the swirling water with its load of grit and pebbles, causing “potholes” to appear. Thomas Bourke, an early owner of the farm on which this feature is situated, discovered gold at the bottom of the holes. Next stop, God’s Window for panoramic views.
Overnight: Graskop – Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: Shangana Cultural Village
After breakfast the challenge is out – the brave will attempt the world’s largest cable swing across Panorama Falls Gorge. The gorge swing is one of most popular adventure challenges of the Graskop area.
Now that you’re fully awake, we’ll head to Hazyview a lush farming community to visit a bustling African market village at the centre of Shangana. Here local craftspeople make and trade their craft. From here depart with your trained guides on daytime village tours, midday tours with lunch, or the famed Evening Festival in the Chief's Kraal.
As the sun sets over the mountains, guests are led by a guide through the bush towards the great Kraal of Chief Soshangana. The beating of drums grows louder as warriors usher you through a passage of stone towers and flaming torches.
You’ll and a small group of fellow travelers will be invited to share a traditional feast in the house of one of the chief’s wives before returning to the fire to enjoy the remainder of the evening.
Overnight: Hazyview – Breakfast & Evening Festival dinner.
Day 7: Hazyview to Basambilu
After breakfast we head return to Basambilu where the pool and Lapa bar awaits you.
Accommodation: Camping and chalets
Duration: 7 Days
