We visited the Blyde River Canyon and stayed at the Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga earlier this year and it was an amazing nature experience. The resort has a breathtaking setting as it sits at the foot of an impressive mountain and the Blyde River runs adjacent to the property.

There is a lot to do at the resort including hiking, bird-watching, tree spotting, swimming, tennis and putt-putt. The Kudu hiking trail is a short walk along the Blyde River where you can often see hippos which are fortunately prevented from entering the resort with a low electric fence. Kudu can easily hop over the electric fence so they often roam the grounds. While it is exciting to see wild animals unfortunately baboons have become a problem and often come into the chalets to steal food. Visitors are advised to keep windows closed and food out of sight. There is a lovely pool area with a heated swimming pools and slides and we enjoyed our time at the pool. The well equipped convenience store meant we could stock up on firewood, ice and of course ice-creams.

The resort has a bird list, butterfly list and tree list that is available from reception. Their tree list has 134 species recorded and there is a separate area which is called the Swadini Arboretum which has 52 species listed. Most of the trees on the grounds have tree tags on them which makes identifying and appreciating them all the more enjoyable.

Here is a list of the Trees to be seen at Swadini

Combretum hereroense (Russet Bushwillow)

Schotia brachypetala

Ficus craterstoma

Bridelia micrantha

Harpephyllum caffrum

Galpinia transvaalica

Philenoptera violacea

A short drive down the hill from Swadini Forever Resort is the Blyde River Canyon where you can book a boat cruise to go on the Blyde River Dam. We thoroughly enjoyed the boat trip through the Blyde River Canyon which was a unique and beautiful experience. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest Canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in America and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. The boat trip takes about an hour and you can bring your own refreshments along (no alcohol). Our tour guide shared informative facts with us about the canyon as well as the Three Rondawels and the unique Tufa Waterfall. The area surrounding the canyon is the Blyde River Nature Reserve which means that the wildlife and birdlife is prolific. We saw crocodiles, hippos, a leguaan and lovely birds from our boat including Trumpeter Hornbill, HalfCollared Kingfisher and Fish Eagle.

Remember that for the Boat Cruise you need to book and pay in advance as internet signal is not the best once you are there. You can choose between morning or afternoon time slots. There is a conservation fee that needs to be paid at the entrance to the Blyde River Nature Reserve. We came back later that same day (the entrance fee gives you access for the full day) to visit the Waterfall which is a short walk along a lovely forest path. The water was ice cold but some people were brave enough to swim! I highly recommend doing the boat cruise and waterfall hike for an unforgettable nature experience.

So if you visit Swadini be sure to:

1. Explore the resort and see its impressive trees (spot the Euphorbia growing out of the Cussonia)

2. Walk along the BlydeRiver on the Kudu Trail and try and spot some hippos

3. Book a Boat Cruise on the Blyde River Canyon

Water Lilies on a Pond at the Lowveld Botanical Gardens

The Lowveld Botanical Gardens, located at the confluence of the Nel and Crocodile Rivers in Mbombela (previously Nelspruit) Mpumalanga, has a special place in my heart. I grew up in Nelspruit and the indigenous trees and shrubs of the bushveld evokes a comforting nostalgia. When I think of the Lowveld images of Paperbarks, Euphorbias, Aloes, Kiaat and Lowveld Chestnut trees (to name a few) come to mind. My love for nature and indigenous plants has grown as a direct result of the influence of growing up surrounded by the natural beauty the Lowveld. I guess this was one of the reasons I chose to have my wedding photographs taken in the Botanical Gardens and fondly remember walking along the draw bridge to the restaurant where the reception was held.

The Lowveld Botanical Gardens boasts a beautiful display of inviting green spaces, impressive trees and amazing cycads. The Garden hosts concerts, wild flower shows, art shows, and plant sales while weddings, baby showers and other events can be celebrated at the Red Leaf Fig Tea Garden. A children’s playground provides opportunities for families to relax and the kids to have fun with an added educational element.

Playground at the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, near the Tea Garden

The Garden is home to the largest man-made African Rainforest in an area of approximately 5 hectares along the Crocodile River. It is said to have the largest collection of South African cycads (and fig trees), more than 700 tree species and more than 3000 plant species in cultivation.

Large areas of Lawn with Cycads and Trees

“Genesis of a Garden, Lowveld Botanical Garden 1969-1981” is a book written by Elise Buitendag who was involved from the inception of the gardens and worked there during it’s first twelve years of establishment. The beautiful coffee table book includes historical information, photographs, personal memoirs and stunning botanical artworks by the author.

Elise Buitendag is a qualified botanist and acknowledged as one of South Africa’s professional botanical artists having authored and illustrated several publications. Her paintings are mainly inspired by the wonder of plants, as encountered daily in the Lowveld bush and in her garden.

“The area donated by both the town council and HL Hall & Sons had a dramatic beauty, with its roaring cascades and rugged landscape, but was considered by many as unsuitable, primarily because of the Y-shaped junction of the Crocodile and Nels River which would divide the garden into three distinct sections. To create a garden in such a diverse and fragmented terrain seemed a very ambitious undertaking.” (Page 9)

“Another tree, the huge fever-tree at the lapa has gained monumental stature and has become an icon in the garden. This tree was grown from seed sown in 1973. I remember how the lanky little seedling grew so rapidly that it couldn’t support itself and had to be tied to a pole to keep it upright. Today everyone who loves the Garden takes pleasure in this beautiful lemon-yellow to lime-green giant.” (Page 161)

Buitendag’s book is a wonderful depiction of the Garden’s history and looks at the Place, the Plants and the People. The beautiful artworks create a visual experience for the reader that strongly evokes the sense of place that this special garden holds.

Elise Buitendag Artwork in her Book “Genesis of a Garden”

For more information please visit: https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/lowveld/