Explore White River and the Lowveld
The Lowveld is renowned for its incredible diversity of natural beauty, offering breathtaking landscapes, exciting adventures, and a variety of activities. Whether you’re here for leisure or exploration, the area has something for everyone. From the iconic Kruger National Park to the stunning Panorama Route, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. With scenic walks, wildlife experiences, and cultural treasures at every turn, it’s no wonder the Lowveld is a top destination.
Book your stay at Heuglins Lodge and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Lowveld!
Top 10 Activities in and around White River
- Kruger National Park – A must-visit for thrilling safaris and wildlife viewing.
- Panorama Route – Scenic drive featuring landmarks like God’s Window and Blyde River Canyon.
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden – Explore indigenous flora and serene walking trails.
- Sudwala Caves – Discover one of the world’s oldest cave systems.
- Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre – Local art, boutique shops, and cultural experiences.
- Induna Adventures – Outdoor thrills like zip-lining and river rafting.
- Elephant Whispers – Hands-on experience with elephants in nearby Hazyview.
- Chimp Eden – Visit a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees.
- Lone Creek Falls – Beautiful waterfall near Sabie, perfect for hiking and picnics.
- The Plantsman Eatery – Delicious meals in a beautiful garden setting.
- Oliver’s Restaurant & Lodge – Fine dining and luxury accommodation at White River Country Estate.
- Sabie Valley Coffee – Enjoy freshly brewed coffee at this local café.
Graskop Gorge Lift – a viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the forest below, where wooden walkways & suspension bridges meander along a 600m trail through indigenous forest with interactive exhibits.
Induna Adventures, based on the Sabie River banks, provides the ultimate rafting experience; ziplining; quadbiking; horse trails; abseiling and more to keep you busy on your Heuglins visit. *Currently closed for Covid19 (as at 19 Nov 2020)*
“The African Stonehenge“ – an air crash on this escarpment of Kaapsehoop, brought about the discovery of the megalithic stone Adams Calendar. Controversially suggested to be the oldest man-made structure in the world, it is sometimes referred to as African Stonehenge
Long Tom Tobogganing: climb into yourtabogan, take a deep breath as you reach a speed of 45 km/h as you rush, twist and turn through wild flowers and beautiful forests in a 3 minute thrilling ride. Its the longest toboggan run in Africa with an impressive 1.7 kilometre track.
Up and close with giant gentle grey beasts. The Elephant Sanctuary in Hazyview offers an interactive and educational hands-on elephant experiences. Walk trunk-in-hand with the eles, learn about them and feed them.
Long Tom Tobogganing: climb into your toboggan, take a deep breath as you reach a speed of 45 km/h as you rush, twist and turn through wildflowers and beautiful forests in a 3-minute thrilling ride. Its the longest toboggan run in Africa with an impressive 1.7 km track.
There are many waterfalls along the way as you tour through the province. The MacMac Falls, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, Lone Creek Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Forest Falls and a few others offer a cool and refreshing scene and visit during your road trip.
God’s Window and the Three Rondavels on the Panorama Route, are one of Mpumalangas most spectacular viewpoints. Part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, stand on the edge of the Highveld for an expansive view over indigenous forest and grasslands.
Barbeton Makhonjwa Geotrail is a self-drive trail through the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site, displaying information about the area’s remarkable geology and it’s links to the plant diversity and history.
The Sudwala Caves are 240 million years old, the oldest caves in the world! Some of the most striking speleothems at Sudwala are Samson’s Pillar (about 200 million yrs old), the Screaming Monster (160 million) and the Rocket (140 million).
Have any of the above tempted you yet to start planning a road trip to the Lowveld? If you are not an adventure junkie, read on below for art, shopping and lifestyle fun.
Shopping, dining, boutiques and artists
- Casterbridge and Bagdad Centres, directly opposite each other, are both relaxed, elegant lifestyle centres with boutique shops and convivial coffee shops. Their gourmet restaurants include Magnolia, Olivers, Picasso’s and Gum Treez.
There is a cinema, a vintage car museum, a tourist information centre and lively restaurants with outdoor areas and bars; hand-crafted furniture and other collectibles. White River Crossings adds a new array of shops, including Checkers, Woolies Fast Food, Dischem, Spur and a number of other shops.
There is plenty to see and browse in and around White River – a silk farm, macadamia nut farms, an orange winery, the mission trading post and a potters’ workshop.
Just 20 km from White River, the city of Nelspruit offers two modern shopping malls. The Lowveld Botanical Gardens together with the Tindlovu restaurant offer a wonderful shaded respite from the malls and shops.
Tempted or not just yet? To add to the variety of things to do from Heuglins, see below take a self-drive or a guided trip into Kruger Park, just 30 minutes away.
Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind Kruger Park Safari
Safaria is a leading privately guided Kruger Safari operator that offers clients personalised half-day and full-day safaris throughout the southern region of the Kruger Park. Blending ancient bush wisdoms with deeply insightful facts, Safaria guests are taken on a journey that shares both the incredible bio-diversity of Kruger as well as its rich history and heritage. www.safari.co.za
Andrew Wagner, Safaria owner and operator, lives on Sheffield Estate where Heuglins is based so Heuglins guests get collected from their cottage doorstep for their day safari with Safaria.
We normally list below a calendar of events in the Lowveld ranging from arts and culture to sporting and other events. This information will return in the near future.