 Excursions from Border Country Inn, Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, South AfricaThese are some of many excursions available to you from Border Country Inn. Tiger Fishing Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the total tranquillity of being in pristine nature, Tiger Fishing Safaris offer fisherman the ultimate safari experience. Fishing takes place on various parts of the Komati River where you'll have hippo's and crocodiles for company, tiger fishing safaris are thus not for the faint hearted! We use conventional or fly-fishing methods to hunt this powerful fish. Kruger National ParkWhere nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa . The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa . Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park . These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets. Malelane CampMalelane camp is a satellite camp of Berg-en-Dal and is located between rolling fields of sugar cane from neighbouring farms and the majestic Savannah of the Kruger Park separated only by the Crocodile River. Its the only camp placed on a boundary of the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Malelane camp being small provides a more intimate bush experience. It is conveniently situated close to the Malelane Gate and the small town of Malelane along the N4 / Maputo Corridor. The accommodation at Malelane camp campsite consists of:
Animals to look out for at Malelane camp:
Kambaku Golf Club KomatipoortThis interesting course on the banks of where the Komati and Crocodile rivers meet must certainly qualify as one of the top 9 hole golf courses in South Africa. The course which is largely an effort from the local Komatipoort community is currently a 9 hole course with the intention of expanding it to 11 greens in future. The objective is that with some strategic placement of teeboxes it would almost play as an 18 hole course as the approaches to the greens will be from complete different angles. Currently the club is still making use of temporary clubhouse facilities, but with the warmth and hospitality of the local members I am sure this will be missed when one day the move to the new facilities planned to be built shortly. The Course, Holes: 9, Par: 72, Type: Bushveld Course, Open: Mon - Sun. Facilities: Clubhouse: Basic Facilities, Bar available, Halfway house.Panorama Route, Mpumalanga The magnificent Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is best known for its cultural heritage and its dramatic landscapes. Offering a vast array of exciting options for the visitor, the Panorama Route hosts some of the best adrenalin enhancing adventures in the country as well as some more placid pastimes. One of the major highlights of the region is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, home to spectacular wildlife and birdlife and some of the best views in South Africa. Th e Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon of its kind in the world. Other highlights include the exquisite waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, the Echo Caves that speak of Africa's powerful tribes such as Pedi, Mapulane and Swazi, trails left behind by the Voortrekkers in regions such as Lydenberg and Ohrigstad, ancient artistic footprints left by indigenous peoples of Africa and the Gold Rush territory, Pilgrim's Rest, home to the early gold prospectors. Sabi SabiSabi Sabi Game Reserve offers unforgettable African wildlife safaris in one of the most beautiful, unspoilt parts of Africa - the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Sabi Sabi has won international acclaim with its four distinct luxury lodges, each with a unique theme and atmosphere. Sabi Sabi offers world-class standards in luxury accommodation, service, cuisine and outstanding wildlife encounters. We recommend Sabi Sabi without hesitation. Please ask us about special offers at Sabi Sabi. Cultural Heartland 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. Grass and Wetlands, Mpumalanga The Mpumalanga Grass and Wetlands region is a birding paradise. This serene region is located in the south eastern part of Mpumalanga and shares its borders with Swaziland, KwaZulu Natal and the Free State provinces. Highlights of the region include the hundreds of lakes and forgotten hamlets in the central area, rock formations and splendid scenery of the imposing mountains. It is in the Grass and Wetlands region where one can engage in unusual activities like "frogging expeditions" or watch stars during "stargazing weekends". Fierce battles were fought in the past, with the most notable being the battle of Chrissiesmeer that is annually re-enacted. In the region, you can discover and marvel at the lost legoya nation's huts that are still standing after a millennium, as well as Bushmen paintings. Blyde River CanyonThe Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa, located in Mpumalanga, and forming the northern part of the Drakensberg escarpment. It is 16 miles (26 kilometers) in length and is, on average, around 2500 feet (800m) deep. The Dam itself, when full, is at an altitude of 665m (2182 feet). The Canyon consists mostly of red sandstone. The highest point of the canyon, Mariepskop, is 6378 feet above sea level (1944m) whilst its lowest point where the river leaves the canyon is slightly less than 1840 feet (+- 560m) above sea level. This means that by some measure the Canyon is over 4500 feet (about 1400m) deep. By some measures it is the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia but this depends heavily on one's definition of a canyon (see canyon.) By any definition it is one of the largest canyons on earth, unquestionably being the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage, and it has some of the deepest precipitious cliffs of any canyon on the planet. It is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon, and is known as one of the great wonders of nature on the continent. Possibly the best view in the whole of the Blyde River Canyon is of the "Three Rondavels", huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels. This canyon is part of the famous Panorama route. This route starts at the town Graskop and includes God's Window, the Pinnacle and Bourke's Luck Potholes. |
Birding at Lebombo Mountains. This relatively unknown reserve lies between the impressive Lebombo Mountains and the Mkhuze River and covers a variety of habitats including riverine bush, thornveld, grassland and cliffs. The reserve is administered by KZN Wildlife, and was proclaimed in the 1980's to protect the many rare plants that grow around the mountain. The reserve lies from 90m to 595m above sea level, and stretches to the top of the Lebombo Mountains. On entering the gate, you travel past and then through a grove of Fever Trees that adjoin the Mkhuze River. Scan this area for Pink-throated Twinspot, Purple-banded, Scarlet-chested and Collared Sunbirds, Rudd's and Yellow-breasted Apalis, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Southern Black Tit, Southern Boubou, Long-billed Crombec, Pygmy Kingfisher, Grey Tit and Ashy Flycatchers, Forest and Spectacled Weavers and Emerald-spotted Dove. Listen for White-throated and White-browed Robin-Chats calling from the thickets. Other riverine specials include Goliath and Green-backed Herons, Woolly-necked Stork and Intermediate and Little Egrets. The broad-leaved woodland on the slopes of the mountain is good for Blue Waxbill, Violet-backed Starling, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Brown-crowned and Southern Tchagras, Crowned Hornbill, Kurrichane Thrush, Black-headed Oriole, Purple-crested Turaco, Lilac-breasted Roller, Little and White-fronted Bee-eaters, Emerald-spotted Dove, Cardinal and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Green Pigeon and Red-fronted Tinkerbird Raptors can often be seen circling around the cliffs, and these include Martial Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Bateleur, Lappet-faced Vulture and African White-backed Vulture. This reserve is under-birded and many more specials could be found. SwazilandThe landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland is surrounded on the north and south by South Africa, and on the east is bordered by Mozambique.  The Kingdom provides travellers the ideal gateway between KwaZulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park, as well as Johannesburg and Maputo - no better route is available with added advantage of discovering a whole new country filled with bygone African traditions and culture. Swaziland covers an area of approximately 193 kilometres from north to south, and 145 kilometres from east to west. Small as it may be, Swaziland is an exciting tourist destination with its art and craft outlets and traditional markets and wildlife reserves. At Mlilwane Game Reserve tame birds and animals are free to come and go and wander through the camp grounds. Mkhaya Game Reserve offers visitors the opportunity of game viewing by open Landrover with guides. A major attraction for the visit to Swaziland is the casinos located at the Royal Swazi Sun Hotel complex, in the heart of the Ezulwini Valley, between Mbabane and Manzini. Swaziland offers many scenic drives. North of Mbabane, the road to Luve is known as Pine Valley with a series of waterfalls on the Black Umbeluzi River and the granite heights of "Bald Rock".
Swaziland also hosts a large number of internationally renowned hotels and a number of thermal springs where visitors can relax and unwind, like the Spa at the Royal Swazi Sun. MbabaneMbabane is the capital of Swaziland, but it may well not have become the capital if the British had not won the Anglo-Boer at the turn of the century. During the 1890's the Boer administration had earmarked what was then Bremersdorp (now Manzini) for the main centre, preferring the warm climate of the middlevelt area. In "Travels of an American Insurance Agent" by Jas. A. Cavanagh, which was published in 1900, Bremersdorp is indeed described as the capital of Swaziland. However, all that changed when the British won the war and Swaziland subsequently became a protectorate of that country. The English prefered the cool hills of the highvelt and so the area which grew to become Mbabane was designated the Kingdom's administrative capital. Mbabane is set among the glorious mountain scenery of the Dlangeni Hills in Swaziland's western highvelt at an altitude of 1,200 metres. The actual town of Mbabane was established near a cattle kraal belonging to King Mbanzeni - great grandfather of the present Monarch, King Mswati III. The first government building was erected on the corner of Allister Miller and Walker Streets which today is the site of the Mbabane Branch of the Swaziland Building Society. The head quarters for the colonial administration was not built until 1939. This fine Cape Dutch structure, which was sadly damaged by a bomb late 1998, today houses the Deputy Prime Minister's office. Next to it was the old court house which presently accommodates the Trade Promotion Unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Mbuluzi Game ReserveMbuluzi Game Reserve was established in the northeastern corner of Swaziland as a conservation area in 1980, and set up as a shareblock company in 1993. It is bound by the beautiful Mbuluzi River and the Lubombo mountain range in the east and boasts a remarkable diversity of habitat. From the massive riverine forests with towering sycamore figs and wild date palms, to rocky cliffs, cycad forests, knobthorn savannah, acacia bushveld and open grasslands. The property is crossed by two meandering perennial rivers. The Mlawula and the Mbuluzi. At an altitude of between 150 and 460 meters, and only 70 kilometers from the Mozambique coast, the climate is typical of the bushveld of the Eastern Seaboard - warm during the day, with pleasant cool seabreezes in the evenings. Mozambique Offering an unique historical and cultural heritage, tropical beaches, coral reefs, spectacular landscapes, intriguingly rich architecture and small desolated islands close to the coast, Mozambique is one of the most enticing tourist destinations in Southern African. After centuries of resisting onslaughts of various invaders, colonial rule was established in Mozambique by Portugal in 1919. However, it is now an independent country, after national liberation on June 25, 1975 and has awakened after decades of isolation as a very popular tourist destination. Situated on the East Coast of Africa, Mozambique is ranked 33rd in the world according to its size with 10 provinces. The 2500km coastline is scattered with endless coral reefs, tropical beaches and is a mecca for scuba and snorkel divers, sun worshippers and adventures explorers. The pristine coast is one of the few unexplored pleasures of the Indian Ocean and host a dazzling display of marine life. The world renown Bazaruto Archipelago is part of the pristine coast line.
Northern Mozambique holds unforgettable experiences and sights for those travellers yearning to escape the beaten path. Exotic destinations in the Northern region include the mysterious and majestic mountains of Namúli and Unango, historical settlements of Angoche, Ile de Mozambique, and Ibo and the magnificent harbour of Pemba. Of the cultural traditions imbued in colonial times, the remnants of a Mediterranean charm lives on. Food is in the Afro-Potuquese style and contrasts favourably with the British culinary tradition prevalent in the other countries in the region. The warmth, liveliness and exuberance of Mozambicans is well-known. As a visitor, you will be welcomed with open arms. Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Lebombo/Ressano Garcia is our closest border post into Mozambique. A mere 1km from Border Country Inn. Operating Hours: 06:00 to 22:00Much more to do...Our friendly staff will gladly advise you of all the other exciting and diverse excursions in our area, which are not listed here. |
The drive to Piggs Peak, in the north is one of the most scenic in the country. The Malolotja Nature Reserve lies to the west of the road and here, after a stiff walk, you can view the Malolotja Falls, the highest in Swaziland.
Mozambique's distinct local style consists of a vibrant blend of African, Arab and Portuguese influences and provides a refreshing contrast to the other countries in the Southern Africa region. The passion for life can be seen on every corner of this diverse country, from Maputo's modern, bustling city streets and pulsating night life to the colourful markets and small fishing villages which dot the coast.