The landscape, flora, and fauna will all be noticeably different as you travel from your Johannesburg hotel to the spectacular Mpumalanga province. From Gauteng, the landscape changes from brick to grass, and then to a cascade of green leaves. This impressive vista is just as astonishing as you arrive from another country.
The pure air and verdant mountains here have so much to offer, and this water-rich region of South Africa is particularly famous for its cascading waterfalls. In this post, we explore the 10 best Mpumalanga lodges that feature Waterfalls for their guests to enjoy a truly unique African experience.
Wolwekrans Eco Lodge
Recently chosen as one of South Africa’s top 16 mountain retreats, and located on the spectacular Schoemanskloof escarpment, Wolwekrans has awe-inspiring 240-degree panoramic views of the Lowveld valley and the Drakensberg mountains, earning it the nickname “Jewel of Mpumalanga.”
Wolwekrans is a beautiful guest farm covering an area of 120 acres. This is the ideal vacation for couples and families. A private boma, deck, and space are included with each chalet. Wolwekrans was designed with privacy in mind.
Wolwekrans has exciting and scenic hiking trails, one of which leads to a cascading waterfall on the property.
The Wolwekrans Eco Lodge is 100% off the grid, ensconced by high mountains with majestic views. Accommodation consists of stunning chalets with 240-degree panoramic views of the terrain that is rich with unfenced roaming wild game.
On-site activities also include heavenly stargazing, MTB rugged cycling, horse riding, bird watching, and more.
The N4 Schoemanskloof route winds through stunning natural woods and subtropical scenery, complete with flowing waterfalls. Most visitors make a point of stopping at the Joubert & Sons farm booth to stock up on the region’s world-famous citrus and avocados. After that, they will go on to their ultimate destination.
A wide variety of plants, trees, and orchids call this environment home. On the grassy slopes of the mountains, you can find the endangered cycads Encephalartos humilus and Laevifolius. The kloof is a haven for birdwatchers due to the abundance of birdlife there.
The crowned eagle, a common sight and sound, is a vervet monkey predator. Purple-crested Loeries and narina trogons can also be spotted in the region. Red and common duiker, steenbok, mountain reedbuck, and bushbuck are just a few of the fascinating small game species that continue to inhabit this region.
Mogodi Lodge
With a breathtaking panorama of the Mpumalanga Lowveld, Mogodi Lodge is ideally located just fifty meters from the Graskop Gorge Falls. This presents an excellent spot from which to take in the area’s stunning scenery.
From Mogodi Lodge, guests can explore the surrounding forest on foot, climb a berg, or take a drive along the unforgettable Panorama Route. The Malaria-free area at Mogodi Lodge is about 1 km from Graskop, and it’s only 49 kilometers from the Kruger National Park.
Mogodi Lodge provides both hotel rooms that are available on a bed-and-breakfast basis and self-catering chalets for individuals who prefer to prepare their meals.
Not only does this lodge have a restaurant, pool, and wedding chapel, but it also features the world-famous “Big Swing” above the canyon.
Thaba Tsweni Lodge and Safaris
This relaxed lodge is set on a green property in a rural setting, just a mile from R532 an 11-minute walk from Berlin Falls, and a 5-kilometer drive from Lisbon Falls. The Drakensberg Mountains and the Blyde River Canyon are home to Thaba Tsweni, which translates to “Mountain of the Baboon” in Bapedi.
There are just six luxury self-catering chalets at Thaba Tsweni Lodge, so guests may relax in the quiet of the surrounding mountains.
If you give advance notice, their team can set up full South African breakfasts in their dining room and/or meals in the restaurant next to the Lodge. Graskop, the nearest town to the lodge, also has a great selection of restaurants. The Blyde River Canyon environment is tranquil, and the chalets may accommodate two, four, or six people.
The South African National Monument Berlin Waterfalls is within walking distance of Thaba Tsweni Lodge, as is the adjacent Garden Shed Restaurant.
The Elements Guesthouse
The Elements provides rooms in Graskop with a garden, free WiFi, and free private parking, within 16.1 kilometers of Mac-Mac Falls and 29 kilometers of Sabi Country Club.
Guests will be about 38.6 kilometers from the Sabi River and 40.2 kilometers from the Kruger Park Lodge Golf Club when staying at this location. There is a barbecue and a view of the garden from the guesthouse.
The inn’s guest rooms all provide seating areas. There’s a fridge and an electric tea kettle in each room, and some of them even have kitchenettes. All rooms at The Elements come with towels and sheets. The hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast to its guests. Views of cliffs and lush greenery may be seen from Mac Mac Falls, which is located on the Sabi Waterfalls Route.
There are two waterfalls, each plunging roughly 70 meters into a gorge. Several rock pools at the base of the waterfall make for a refreshing swim. BBQ grills and picnic tables are available as well.
Two Falls View
It takes about 5 minutes to travel to the heart of Sabi from where Two Falls View is located. There are mountain vistas and two waterfalls across the valley from the property.
Two Falls View’s spacious apartments provide full kitchens, private outside space (balcony or patio), and ensuite bathrooms with showers. A garden and grills are available to guests at Two Falls View. Parking is free of charge at the venue.
The Two Falls View guesthouse is close to Lone Creek Falls, also a National Monument due to its stunning beauty, with a drop of 68 meters, which is less than Mac Mac Falls’ 73 meters.
It’s a short trek into the forest and another 200 meters to reach this waterfall, although it’s bordered on all sides by native woodland. Picnic tables can be found in the area.
Merry Pebbles Resort
Sabie Falls and the Komatiland Forestry Museum are both within easy driving distance of Merry Pebbles Resort & Caravan Park, which is situated on a river in Sabi. The 70-meter plunge of Bridal Veil Falls is comparable to that of Mac Mac Falls. The hike is not long, but the landscape along the way is magnificent.
There’s peace here, but don’t let that fool you; excitement is just around the bend. White water rafting, mountain climbing, fly fishing, and mountain biking are all available activities here. You can easily visit Mac Mac Falls and Long Tom Cannon while staying at this resort, which welcomes families.
The rooms are comfortable and refrigerators and stovetops are provided in each of the 11 guestrooms. Each room features its patio. Wireless Internet connection keeps you connected at no extra cost, while satellite TV provides entertainment options.
Take advantage of the outdoor tennis court, swimming pool, and water slide for some fun in the sun. This hotel also features an arcade/game room, babysitting/childcare (for a fee), and free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.
Enjoy a meal with a view of the pool at the hotel’s restaurant or order room service (during limited hours) to enjoy your meal in the comfort of your room.
Zur Alten Mine Guest Farm
The Berlin Falls are within driving distance of Zur Alten Mine Guest Farm B&B, which offers spacious, self-catering accommodations surrounded by natural beauty.
The Berlin Falls thunder down crimson cliffs and into a jade-green pool below. The greenish hue of the waterfall, caused by the red cliffs, is a favorite subject for photographers. The waterfall has an 80-meter plunge and is located near other tourist hotspots including Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon.
The waterfall was given its name by European gold prospectors who flocked to South Africa during the gold rush and renamed several of the local waterfalls after their hometowns back in Europe.
Mackers Riverbend Cottages
The Lisbon Falls are a worthwhile 20-kilometer journey from Mackers Riverbend Cottages. There are cottages and glamping sites to choose from. Cottages are equipped with nothing that would distract guests from fully disconnecting, thus there is no television, air conditioning, or swimming pool.
The 94-meter drop of Lisbon Falls makes it not only the tallest waterfall on this list but also one of the tallest in the province. The Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s Window are all within easy driving distance.
Misty Mountain
Misty Mountain is a 280-hectare resort in the beautiful region of Long Tom Pass in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Misty Mountain, situated at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level and surrounded by a gorgeous, mountainous landscape, provides breathtaking views of the escarpment and the Lowveld.
Graskop Gorge Lift Company, God’s Window, The Pinnacle, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, Sabi Waterfalls, and many more of the Panorama Route’s famed sights may all be reached easily from Misty Mountain.
Forever Resorts Waterfall Safari Lodge
The Kranspoort Mountains (Mpumalanga) are home to the 3/4-star Forever Resorts Waterfall Safari Lodge. The lodge has both two- and four-person log cabins, in addition to a lovely guest house.
Mini golf, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a trampoline, 4×4 paths, hiking routes to a waterfall, and picnic spaces are all available on the site.
