Hazyview travel guide
Hazyview Tourism | Hazyview Guide
You're Going to Love Hazyview
South Africa's spectacular scenery and wildlife are the big draws in Hazyview, in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The small farming town is close to the nation's most renowned private game reserves, in addition to the world-famous Kruger National Park. During the hot summer months, a shimmering haze hovers above the town, giving its name.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Hazyview
1. Kruger National Park
One of the largest game reserves on the continent, the lush tropical forests, bush plains, and mountains of the park are home to a wealth of animal life, including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and much more.
2. Outdoor Adventure
From hot air ballooning to elephant rides, quad biking, helicopter tours, and much more, you'll find many tour operators in the area offering a wide range of outdoor adventures.
3. Blyde River Canyon
Take plenty of photographs of the breathtaking vistas you'll experience at Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest river canyon in the world.
4. Local Culture
Take a tour of the Shangana Cultural Village to learn about the lifestyle and traditions of the indigenous Shangana people, including the opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
5. Great Food
Although small, the town is home to more than 35 restaurants and fast food outlets, many offering gourmet fare fueled by the rich agricultural land of the region.
What to do in Hazyview
1. Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kruger National Park lies on nearly 8,000 square miles, which represent 14 different systems. Established in 1898, the park houses a number of endangered species, as well as lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Considered the best managed African National Park, Kruger, which has been combined with the Gonarezhou National Park, the Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and the Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe, and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, is an incredibly rich sanctuary with lush vegetation and dense forest areas.
2. Natural Wonder
The third largest canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon is located on the Panorama Route and connects to the Kruger National Park. The canyon offers stunning views from 2,600 feet above the river. Water erosion over thousands of years at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers has created the Bourke's Luck Potholes, which form unique red and yellow rock sculptures. The fauna in the canyon includes klipspringers, dassies, grey rhebucks and oribi, as well as vervet monkeys, chacma baboons and nocturnal bushbabies, which live in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The somango monkey, nocturnal greater and lesser bushbabies, vervet monkeys and chacma baboons are all present. For crocodile and hippopotamus sightings, visitors are encouraged to travel to the wetlands of Swadini Dam.
3. Breathtaking Views
Located on the Drakensberg cliff, God's Window offers breathtaking views of the canyons, waterfalls and forests. Overlooking a private game reserve, God's Window lies on the 155 miles that form the path along the cliffs. From there, visitors can go hiking on the trails, horseback riding or mountain biking. The lookout also provides spectaculars view of the exotic flora and fauna of the valley below. Visitors will also enjoy the curio shops at the site as well as the opportunity to capture stunning photographs of the scenery.
4. Explosion Of Color
The result of years of water erosion, Bourke's Luck Potholes, named for gold digger Tom Bourke, are formed at the confluence of the Treur River and the Blyde River. These cylindrical rock sculptures, which appear almost otherworldly, have been listed on Frommer's 500 places to take your kids before they grow up. Displaying a striking array of colors, including whites, yellows and browns, the potholes are one of the highlights of the Panorama Route. By following the metal bridges above, visitors can marvel at the unobstructed view of the potholes below.
5. Astounding Peaks
The rounded mountain tops, known as the Three Rondavels, mark the start or end of the drive along the the Blyde River Canyon. Similar to the traditional rondavels, or homesteads, made by locals, the mountain tops represent Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto, the three wives of Mapjaneng, known for stopping a Swazi invasion. The views from the rondavels are legendary, and are considered, along with God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes, one of the highlights of the journey to Blyde River Canyon.
1. Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kruger National Park lies on nearly 8,000 square miles, which represent 14 different systems. Established in 1898, the park houses a number of endangered species, as well as lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Considered the best managed African National Park, Kruger, which has been combined with the Gonarezhou National Park, the Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and the Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe, and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, is an incredibly rich sanctuary with lush vegetation and dense forest areas.
2. Natural Wonder
The third largest canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon is located on the Panorama Route and connects to the Kruger National Park. The canyon offers stunning views from 2,600 feet above the river. Water erosion over thousands of years at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers has created the Bourke's Luck Potholes, which form unique red and yellow rock sculptures. The fauna in the canyon includes klipspringers, dassies, grey rhebucks and oribi, as well as vervet monkeys, chacma baboons and nocturnal bushbabies, which live in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The somango monkey, nocturnal greater and lesser bushbabies, vervet monkeys and chacma baboons are all present. For crocodile and hippopotamus sightings, visitors are encouraged to travel to the wetlands of Swadini Dam.
3. Breathtaking Views
Located on the Drakensberg cliff, God's Window offers breathtaking views of the canyons, waterfalls and forests. Overlooking a private game reserve, God's Window lies on the 155 miles that form the path along the cliffs. From there, visitors can go hiking on the trails, horseback riding or mountain biking. The lookout also provides spectaculars view of the exotic flora and fauna of the valley below. Visitors will also enjoy the curio shops at the site as well as the opportunity to capture stunning photographs of the scenery.
4. Explosion Of Color
The result of years of water erosion, Bourke's Luck Potholes, named for gold digger Tom Bourke, are formed at the confluence of the Treur River and the Blyde River. These cylindrical rock sculptures, which appear almost otherworldly, have been listed on Frommer's 500 places to take your kids before they grow up. Displaying a striking array of colors, including whites, yellows and browns, the potholes are one of the highlights of the Panorama Route. By following the metal bridges above, visitors can marvel at the unobstructed view of the potholes below.
5. Astounding Peaks
The rounded mountain tops, known as the Three Rondavels, mark the start or end of the drive along the the Blyde River Canyon. Similar to the traditional rondavels, or homesteads, made by locals, the mountain tops represent Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto, the three wives of Mapjaneng, known for stopping a Swazi invasion. The views from the rondavels are legendary, and are considered, along with God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes, one of the highlights of the journey to Blyde River Canyon.
Where to Eat in Hazyview
Try Pioneer's Grill for a menu of classic steakhouse favorites in an elegant dining room. Main dishes start at R17. Tanks Bush Pub offers bar favorites like burgers and chicken wings in a casual ambiance, with mains starting at R5.
When to visit Hazyview
With its tropical climate, Hazyview is a true year-round destination. Many visitors from outside the region choose the cooler, drier season from April to October.
How to Get to Hazyview
Plane
The O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB) is located about 242 miles southwest of Hazyview. Bus shuttle service is the most inexpensive option to Hazyview, starting at about R1,400.
Car
Hazyview is accessible via route R40 from Witrivier, with connections from there to Johannesburg and Mozambique.
Bus
There are bus connections from Johannesburg to nearby Nelspruit, along with private shuttles daily between Johannesburg and Hazyview.
Airlines serving Hazyview
Where to stay in Hazyview
Hazyview - Hazyview sprawls over a relatively large area along highway R40, with most of the downtown area located north of R536. This is where you will find a concentration of restaurants and many accommodations options.
Popular Neighborhoods in Hazyview
Nkambeni - this small town just south of Hazyview is where you will find alternate accommodations and shopping, along with the Nkambeni Safari Camp and other attractions.
White River - this small town about 25 miles south of Hazyview boasts a thriving arts and culture scene to discover along with farming holidays, and the famous Crocodile River Valley.
Where to stay in popular areas of Hazyview
Most booked hotels in Hazyview
How to Get Around Hazyview
Public Transportation
There is no public transit system per se in Hazyview, but a number of private shuttle companies, including Bushveld Link and Thula Seats, offer trips between Hazyview, Kruger Park, Nelspruit, and other towns in the area.
Taxi
There are a number of taxi companies offering service in and around Hazyview.
Car
A car rental is a good way to explore the region, with compact rentals starting at R385 per day, although an SUV or other 4X4 may be a more practical choice for adventuring, with rentals that start at R285 per day.
The Cost of Living in Hazyview
Shopping Streets
Most shopping options are located near the conjunction of R40 and R536, including the Lowveld Shopping Mall, along with smaller stores.
Groceries and Other
Checkers and Shoprite are two of the supermarkets you'll find in Hazyview. A dozen eggs costs around R20, while two quarts of milk costs about R25.