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Set on a 1000 hectare game reserve, JGI Primate Haven 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 Nelspruit sanctuary and has committed itself to the rescue and care take of chimpanzees in need of refuge. Being the 1st and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa, this venue will be able to bring the world of chimpanzees closer to humanity through education and eco tourism. Telephone: +27 79 777 1514
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Set in spectacular scenery on the banks of the Crocodile River, the 159 ha Lowveld Botanical Garden is one of Mpumalanga's most popular tourist attractions -- like an enormous arboretum it is characterised by its evergreen lawns and wealth of trees. Its unique, park-like ambience makes it a wonderful haven for the urban citizens of Nelspruit and overseas tourists. In addition to approximately 600 plant species occurring naturally in the Garden, more than 2000 additional species have been planted. Of the approximately 1000 tree species indigenous to South Africa, over 650 can be seen in the garden --- this includes numerous species from sub-tropical southern Africa.
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Croc River Enviro Park
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Located in nelspruit, the CrocRiver Enviro Park is by far the largest facility of its type in Africa. The CrocRiver Enviro Park offers the visitor a variety of attractions, amongst which are the Turtle Ponds, the Crocodile Ponds, the Fish Pond (all linked, the first overflowing into the other two), the Water Monitor Lizard Pond; the Auditorium, fully equipped with modern audiovisual facilities; the Desert House, in which a desert like atmosphere was created, is home to the Reptile Gallery where indigenous and exotic reptiles from all over the world are displayed. The Animal Touch Farm is another important feature of CrocRiver Enviro Park designed to acquaint city children with farm livestock. Pony Rides are provided for the younger visitors. Adjacent to the Animal Touch Farm there is a children's play area, featuring a Jungle Gym, a Jumping Castle and various tables in a very shaded area, making this an ideal safe venue for children's parties. Contact: 013 752 5511
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The largest game reserve in South Africa, the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometres (20 000 square kilometres) from north to south along the Mozambique border, is given over to an almost indescribable wildlife experience.
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Blyde River Canyon
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The Blyde River Canyon Reserve extends along the Blyde River Canyon's winding path, which at every turn offers more and more impressive views over sheer edges dropping 800m into the riverbed. At the meeting point of the Blyde River (river of joy) and the Treur River (river of sorrow) water erosion has created one of the most phenomenal geological phenomenon in South Africa. The 'Bourke's Luck Potholes' have taken thousands of years to form strange cylindrical sculptures carved by swirling water. The smooth red and yellow rocks contrast with the dark pools.
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Cultural Heritage
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The Ndebele people made the Cultural Heartland area famous with their colourful geometric art works that are known around the world, from Cape Town to Cairo and New York to London. It is in the Cultural Heartland that both locals and foreigners alike get to embrace the warm spirit of Africa through the Ndebele people and their indigenous wisdom and creativity. Highlights of the area include colourful Ndebele arts and culture, crafts and curios. Visit colourful villages such as Kwaggafontein, Matibidi, Waterval and Twoline. Here community tourism is on the rise, allowing visitors to enjoy authentic South African rural life. Stop by the village of Botshabelo, where the bible was translated for the first time from English into Ndebele.
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Imagine a system of caves over 30 kilometres in length, of which only 600 metres is accessible, that date back 3 000 million years to a time when incredible stresses cracked the dolomite of the Mankelekele Mountains (also spelt Makelexele) - part of the Drakensberg escarpment that separates the highveld from the lowveld of Mpumalanga - allowing water to slowly trickle, forming a series of passages through the rocks.
Address: Next to Dinosaur World. R532 towards Lydenburg, take R37 towards Nelspruit for 20 km, take R539 offramp at Rosehaugh, travel 16km and turn right at T-Junction. (50 km outside Sabie). Telephone: +27 (0)13 733-4152 Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08h00 to 17h00. Guided tours every half hour for an hour - last 16h30. |
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The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is undoubtedly the most exclusive private game reserve in South Africa. The 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located on the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. There are no restricting fences between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands Reserve and the wildlife roams freely between the two game reserves. Your Wildlife Safari cannot be complete without exposure to every facet of life in the bush. Leopards are a main attraction of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and are so accustomed to cars that they do not take much notice of them. Even when hunting, a leopard in the Sabi Sands will not mind a vehicle following it, even if this means following it off-road though the bush. Some of the best and most exclusive private game lodges in the country are in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the chances of seeing the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) are excellent.
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