The park is one of South Africa’s biggest tourist attractions. Established by President Paul Kruger in the late 19th century to put an end to the indiscriminate hunting, this world-famous park stretches 380km from North to South and 60km wide but is a mere thirty minute drive from White River to the nearest gate. Home to the Big Five, and hundreds of other species, the park is open daily. The roads are mostly “sand-tarred” and can be traversed with an ordinary car.

Spectacular scenery can be seen on any of the following drives. Explore them individually or plan a combination route: Sabie, Mac Mac Falls, Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pinnacle Rock and Kowyns Pass.

Set on a 1,000 hectare game reserve, the JGI Chimpanzee Eden is a home to chimpanzees that have been misplaced from their natural habitat. The world renowned Jane Goodall Institute has made this tranquil venue their South African sanctuary and has committed itself to the rescue and care take of chimpanzees in need of refuge, being the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa, this venue brings the world of chimpanzees closer to humanity through education, tourism and modern technology.

The Elephant Sanctuary provides a safe haven for their elephants and offers a unique platform for guest education and interaction.
All programs are guest and elephant driven, which means the most important part of their operation is to ensure happy elephants and satisfied guests. The close encounter with elephants you experience at The Elephant Sanctuary truly is one of a kind.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a family orientated operation catering for both young and old. Focusing on education through interaction, so you will not only learn a lot about elephants, but also get to touch, feel, feed, walk trunk-in-hand and even ride these magnificent animals.

The lowveld offers a variety of extreme activities, like the Big Swing and Highwire in Graskop and the bridge swing in Sabie. Do the aerial cable trail in Hazyview, which is the longest in Africa, abseiling available in Graskop, Sabie, Hazyview and Hoedspruit. More relaxing adventures like Balloon flights, horse riding, hiking trails and tubing are also on offer.

The series of caverns called the Sudwala Caves are one of South Africa’s major attractions. The caves are believed to be about 2 000 million years old and contain not only stalagmites and stalagtites, but also the fossilised remains of primitive early life forms known as ‘collenia’.

The Dinosaur Park at the Sudwala Caves is set in a lush tropical garden. It contains life-sized, scientifically accurate models of pre-historic animals. The Park tells the story of the development of life on earth. Its models are as diverse as the ancient amphibious and mammal-like reptiles, dinosaurs, extinct mammals and pre-historic man.

The residents of the traditional villages of Shangana invite guests to share in the way of life of the Shangaan people. The picturesque villages are set in the shade of ancient trees in a reserve of forest and grassland. Local crafts are sold at the Marula Market village, and tours are led by trained guides. Daytime tours takes the visitor on a winding path through fields and bush, to a village where a Shangaan family lives.

The guide explains their fascinating way of life, before moving on to the Sangoma’s Kraal for a lesson in traditional medicines. Midday tours enable visitors to share a meal with the Shangaan family in the village. During the Evening festival the history of the Shangaans is presented by a huge cast of choristers and dancers before dinner is served inside the huts. Prior bookings for lunch and the evening festival is essential.

The Bushman paintings offer a unique glimpse into the Bantu people’s lives. The caves are managed by the Nsangwini Community, with trained guides on hand to lead visitors through the rock art and interpret the paintings.