The best things to do in the Lowveld

It would be almost unthinkable to visit South Africa without experiencing its extraordinary wildlife, and fortunately, there’s no better place to do so. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga is one of Africa’s most iconic conservation areas. The park boasts remarkable biodiversity, comprising 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 114 reptile species, 507 bird species, and 147 mammal species.

Beyond its rich fauna and flora, Kruger National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. These include guided walking and hiking trails, birdwatching, mountain biking, and indulgent wellness experiences at AM Spa Kruger. Golf enthusiasts can also enjoy the Skukuza Golf Club, a 9-hole course uniquely situated within the park.

Cost (1 November 2025 – 31 October 2026):

• South African citizens and residents: R134 (adults, 12+), R67 (children, 2–11)
• SADC nationals: R275 (adults, 12+), R137 (children, 2–11)
• International visitors: R602 (adults, 12+), R300 (children, 2–11)

Also read: The best places to see lions in the wild in South Africa

Look, we're not ones to brag… but when the brag is fully justified, we'll allow it. The world's third-largest canyon – right after the Grand Canyon in the US and Namibia's Fish River Canyon – is sitting pretty right here in South Africa. Mpumalanga, to be exact. Casual.

The Blyde River Canyon, officially known as the Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve, slices through the Drakensberg escarpment in eastern Mpumalanga. Stretching about 26km long and plunging an average of 800m deep, it's one of those places that makes your phone camera panic slightly.

The reserve is stacked with natural show-offs: Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock, and God's Window.

If sightseeing alone doesn't quite scratch the adventure itch, companies like the Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre have you covered with dam boat cruises, hot-air balloon rides, and quad biking.

At roughly three and a half hours from Kruger National Park, skipping the Blyde River Canyon on your Mpumalanga road trip would be… let's just say a regrettable life choice.

Cost (as of 12 December 2025):

Blyde River Canyon Reserve:

• South African residents: R161 (adults), R91 (children and pensioners)
• SADC nationals: R203 (adults), R102 (children and pensioners)
• Foreign nationals: R385 (adults), R190 (children and pensioners)

Three Rondavels:

• South African residents: R48 (adults), R32 (children and pensioners)
• SADC nationals: R54 (adults), R37 (children and pensioners)
• Foreign nationals: R104 (adults and pensioners), R69 (children)

Bourke's Luck Potholes:

• South African residents: R80 (adults), R37 (children and pensioners)
• SADC nationals: R91 (adults), R48 (children and pensioners)
• Foreign nationals: R173 (adults and pensioners), R81 (children)

Pinnacle Rock:

• South African residents: R32 (adults), R27 (children and pensioners)
• SADC nationals: R37 (adults), R32 (children and pensioners)
• Foreign nationals: R69 (adults and pensioners), R58 (children)

God's Window:

• South African residents: R37 (adults), R32 (children and pensioners)
• SADC nationals: R43 (adults), R37 (children and pensioners)
• Foreign nationals: R81 (adults and pensioners), R58 (children)

Here we go again, cue another not-so-humble brag. Believed to be the oldest known caves in the world, the Sudwala Caves are tucked into the Drakensberg escarpment and date back a casual 240 million years. No big deal. These ancient caves offer a fascinating peek into Earth’s deep past, all within a beautifully well-lit cave system.

Guided tours, led by experts, take visitors 600m into the caves and 150m underground, showcasing natural sculptures and formations that have been millions of years in the making, including the:

Lowveld Rocket: Standing 14m tall and 2.5m wide, this impressive formation took around 150 million years to form as a stalactite and stalagmite slowly decided to become one.

Baby: Feeling old? Relax. In geological terms, this formation is practically a newborn, having formed just 300 years ago.

Gong: A porous flowstone formation that produces a hollow, gong-like sound when struck. Yes, it genuinely lives up to the name.

Three Praying Nuns: A striking stalagmite formation resembling three figures that have been quietly standing watch for nearly 40 million years.

Screaming Monster: Jagged, dramatic and open-mouthed, with many believing it looks like it’s mid-scream. Honestly, relatable.

Magnum Ice Cream: Pretty self-explanatory. It looks exactly like a chocolate-coated ice cream bar, minus the calories.

Cost:

• Kids: R65
• Pensioners: R110
• Adults: R130
• Crystal Cave tour: R950

Time Out Tip: If you’re someone who gets cold easily, pack a jacket. The caves are maintained at a constant temperature of 17 degrees Celsius.

If heights make you woozy, you might want to admire this one from a safe, sensible distance. Unless, of course, you’re feeling brave or reckless.

The Graskop Gorge Lift Company, set along the iconic Panorama Route, is not for the faint-hearted. Highlights include the Cliff Walk, a narrow walkway suspended high above a sea of lush forest, and the Viewing Lift, a glass-fronted elevator that descends 51m straight into the gorge.

Full disclosure: just thinking about it has my knees buckling and my heart racing.

And if that somehow isn’t enough adrenaline for you (seriously, are you okay?), there’s ziplining, a 52m Suspension Bridge, or the Big Swing, a 70m plunge completed in a casual three seconds. Blink, and you’ll miss your soul leaving your body.

Cost (1 December 2025 – 30 November 2026):

• Kids (4-6): R37
• Adults (17+): R75
• Pensioners: R75
• Kids under 4: Free

For prices for each activity, click here.

Time Out Tip: Bring your bank cards. The Graskop Gorge Lift Company is an entirely cashless operation.

Located in Nelspruit, Pumbaa Wildlife Park and Accommodation is dedicated to providing a safe, ethical, and educational sanctuary for large predators and other wildlife.

Visitors have the opportunity to see magnificent animals, including white lions, cheetahs, spotted and striped hyenas, rare black leopards, wild dogs, and tigers. Guided experiences include a 90-minute walking tour through the park or a more immersive 90-minute vehicle tour, available for small groups of three or fewer.

Cost:

Walking tours:

• Adults: R200
• Pensioners: R150
• Children under 12: R100
• Children under 2: Free

Driving tours:

• Adults: R230
• Pensioners: R250
• Children under 12: R180

Time Out Tip: Remember that you are a guest in the animals’ home. Always show respect, follow your guide’s instructions, and keep a safe distance at all times.

With two main rivers, the Crocodile and Nels Rivers, running through it, the Lowveld National Botanical Garden is home to one of the largest collections of South African fig trees. The garden also supports a diverse array of wildlife, including 261 bird species, approximately 75 species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as vervet monkeys, dwarf mongooses, tree squirrels, thick-tailed bushbabies, and even hippos.

The Lowveld tour guides visitors through highlights such as the African Rainforest, Crocodile River, Cascade Falls, and Africa’s most extensive collection of rare cycads. For those who prefer a self-guided experience, the Riverside Trail offers a scenic walk, though visitors are asked to notify the Garden staff at the entrance for safety purposes.

Cost:

• Adult: R60
• Student: R40
• Pensioner: Free entry on Tuesdays
• Child: R20
• Children under 6 years: Free

Time Out Tip: The Garden has a Braille Trail to make the experience accessible for blind visitors. Using a cable guide, visitors can independently navigate the trail from start to finish.

If there’s one thing to know about South Africans, it’s that we are passionate about sports, a time when we unite, putting aside our differences. Just 40 kilometres from the world-famous Kruger National Park stands Mbombela Stadium.

Boasting a seating capacity of 43,500, the stadium is a striking architectural gem. It's 18 towering orange giraffe-inspired columns that support the roof. At the same time, the black and white zebra-patterned seating reflects the vibrant wildlife of the surrounding landscape, allowing the stadium to blend harmoniously into its natural surroundings.

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