HAZYVEW
Hazyview is small farming town just outside the southeastern part of Kruger National Park, only a 12 km drive from the Phanbeni Gate where we came from. Thanks to its proximity to the park it is a popular safari destination. Hazyview is also close to the scenic Panorama Route including Blyde Canyon and Burke´s Potholes.
We stayed two nights at
Hotel Numbi & Garden Suites, situated in a beautiful garden. They have swimmingpools and award-winning restaurants, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious.
Photo from: booking.com
After a night in Numbi Hotel in Hazyview – it was time for visiting the
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve which is about an hour drive from Hazyview.
The nature reserve is within the Greater Drakensberg escarpment and stretches from Graskop in South to Blydespoort dam in the north.
Cloudy and only 17 C the morning we left Hazyview. On our way to Graskop, we passed several banana plantations and big areas of pine wood.
We follow part of the PANORAMIC ROUTE – a scenic road connecting several cultural and natural points of interest centered around the BLYDE RIVER CANYON. This canyon is the world’s third largest canyon and features numerous waterfalls, one of the largest afforested areas in South Africa and several natural landmarks
Our first stop was some lookouts just north of Graskop. You are supposted to get a panoramic view over Lowveld – great subtropical region with waterfalls, rocky mountains and woods .
GOD´S WINDOW and EDEN-like? Well, if it wasn´t for the fog it would maybe be like that. I have seen pictures from this place on a sunny day and the view is magnificent from several of the lookouts. The rainforest we at least got a glimse of 🙂
BURKE´S LUCK POTHOLES – Water has created this miracle of potholes and beautiful scenery. There are a series of bridges and walkways to facilitate a round trip, where you can see every aspect of the attraction.
View over Blyde River Canyon – no fog this time
The last stop on our scenic route – was visiting Pilgrims Nest.
It is an old gold mining town preserved pretty much as it was in the gold rush days of the late 1800´s. In 1986 it was declared a National Monument.
We had lunch at the old Victorian Hotel Royal, built in 1894.
From Hazyview to MALELANE
The day after the Blyde River canyon visit, we travelled south to Malelane which is just south of the Kruger Park. We went through the Kruger Park for the last time. Entered the Numbi Gate, passed Pretoriouskop Camp and east on H1-1 and south on H3 to Malelane Gate
It was a rainy day and not so may animals to spot..Just an elephant, some zebras, wildebeests and warthogs. In the afternoon we left the Kruger National Park through Malelane Gate in the south. Found a nice place to stay in Malelane – Rio Vista Lodge – just 9 km from Malelane Gate and south of Malelane centre
Rio Vista Lodge – nicely located by the Crocodile River which makes the border to the Kruger Nat. Park in the south. The lodge was quite new in 2008, only 2 years old. The main lodge – a two story building with both standard double rooms, luxury rooms and family suites. They had also to some bungalows/chalets next door.
We had two standard double rooms at the ground floor – like a basic hotel room style. The rooms were not big but nicely decorated, with comfortable beds and a little private patio.
Great view to the river and a perfect place for viewing animals and birds. This works now as the restaurant “The Deck”
This terrace building is now a bar and restaurant named “The Deck” – an ala carte restaurant that serves the best dishes in Malelane.
In 2008 they also used this place for serving breakfast and dinners, and set the tables each time for the guests who wanted to have their meal at the lodge.
Stine – at the viewing deck – spotting some elephants at the riverbank.
You can often see elephants, buffalo and antelopes in this area – and also several different birds.
We have stayed at Rio Vista Lodge several times in the recent tours to South Africa. Then we have stayed at the bungalows next door which were called Lino´s Lodge. They are more spacious and has a patio outside and view to the river.
No place beats the great location, – and the restaurant “The Deck” serves very good food. And the prices are affordable!
The property have done some updating and changes in recent years. Bigger garden areas, several pools and “the Deck” has opened its sidewalls and is refurbished. ( only seen pictures of this). There are also built several self-catering accommodations units. This part of the property is called Kruger View Chalets . They offers both two bedroom- and three bedroom chalets with river view, and one bedroom cabins with garden view .
I have not stayed at these new units – but as I can see it is a great alternative if you like self catering or stay in more spacious units. – The same great view to the river and you can off course have a great meal at “the Deck”
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