Situated only about 2 to 3 hours away from Joburg, on the N4 route to the Kruger Park, is the Highlands Meander. This area is a tourist destination in itself, and includes the towns of Dullstroom, Machadodorp, Waterval-Boven and Belfast. Renowned for its trout and fly-fishing, hiking, mountain climbing and scenery - especially around Waterval Boven - many people make their way here from Joburg, over the weekend, to pursue these outdor activities.

A special wildlife feature of the area is the prolific bird life. The Verloren Valley Nature Reserve, is reputed to be the only habitat where all three of the world’s endangered cranes, the blue crane, wattled crane, and the crowned crane, are found living alongside each other. Because of all the activities and the scenery, this area provides for an ideal stop over for tourists on the way to the Kruger Park.

Those taking the Dullstroom Route to the Kruger Park are often going via Lydenberg and Orighstad to Acornhoek and the Orpen Gate. Alternatively, they may have decided to take the scenic route and stay in or near Sabie to visit the Panorama Route before travelling via Hazyview, to the Phabeni, Numbi or Paul Kruger Gates.

The quickest route to the Park is to continue along either the northern or southern N4 (yes, there are two N4's at this stage) route to Nelspruit. From Nelspruit you can travel north towards Hazyview and enter the Park through Numbi, Phabeni or Kruger Gate. If you travel east, towards Mozambique, you can enter the Park through Malelane Gate or the Crocodile Bridge Gate (at the border)

The Highlands Meander

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