Graskop
Make Graskop your base from which to see spectacular African natural wonders including waterfalls, intriguing rock formations and deep mountain gorges. This village is 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level. It’s the starting point for the Panorama Route, a picturesque course through the mountains of the Northern Drakensberg in the South African province of Mpumalanga.
Grab your camera and binoculars and head out in a car for a day of exploration. Some of the most impressive views of the region can be seen from the area known as “God’s Window,” so called because of the beauty of the landscape you can see from this vantage point. Stand on cliff-top viewing platforms that look down on a forest-covered ravine and across to South Africa’s Lowveld, a vast region of savannah. Continue your journey with a visit to the Three Rondavels, large spirals of dolomite that dominate the gorge and resemble African huts. For details of self-drive sightseeing trips and maps of the area, take a look at the Graskop village official website.
Engage your sense of adventure by taking part in some of the active pursuits on offer. Discover more of the sights from the seat of a horse or a quad bike. Catch a ride at the Big Swing at Graskop Gorge. This is one of the world’s highest cable gorge swings with a free fall of 223 feet (68 meters). You will travel down the equivalent of an 18-story building in less than 3 seconds. Alternatively, you can fly across the gorge on a high wire that’s 262 feet (80 meters) above the ground.
Stay more than a day to make the most of the scenery and outdoor adventures. There are numerous types of accommodations from campsites to hotels in and around Graskop. The village’s restaurants and cafés wills satisfy your craving for good local cuisine.
Graskop is 249 miles (400 kilometers) east of Johannesburg and 44 miles (70 kilometers) from Kruger National Park.