Page 333 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

GA UTENG , LIMPOPO AND MPUM ALANGA  331

LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA

AND KRUGER

The attractions in the northeastern part of the country
include a deeply carved canyon and the nature reserves
that surround it, panoramic views, trout-fishing dams, and
the charming gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, preserved
as a living museum.
South Africa’s topography is at its most Much of the Lowveld plains is occupied
dramatic where the Drakensberg’s by the Kruger National Park, one of the
northern reaches drop sheer to the hot world’s oldest and largest wildlife reserves.
bushveld plains below. From here, visitors The south ern part, south of the Letaba
can look out over the Eastern Escarp ment River and closer to the metro politan area
to where the savannah merges with the of Gauteng, is very popular and the most
distant coastal plains of Mozambique, frequently visited. Tourist numbers are
and hike through the ravines of the considerably lower in the east and the
Blyde River Canyon. remote north, which is renowned for its
High rainfall on the steep mountain long-tusked elephants. Strict management
slopes contributes to the growth of dense policies prevent the Kruger National
forests, as well as the country’s greatest Park from becoming a victim of its own
concentration of waterfalls. More timber success, while some of the tourist pressure
is produced here than anywhere else in is relieved by the privately-run luxury
South Africa, and there are vast pine and reserves along its western border.
eucalyptus tree plantations. Scenic drives Lowveld farming produces a variety of
include the Panorama Route, with its citrus fruit from a number of large estates.
unobstructed view sites, which is accessible Tobacco, nuts, mangoes and avocados
from the busy little town of Graskop. are also successfully grown.

The graceful impala, a common sight in the Kruger National Park
The MacMac Falls in the Drakensberg, named for the Scottish miners who came here in search of gold

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