Ohrigstad

The small village of Ohrigstad is also known as the entrance to the Panorama Route. It was founded by the Voortrekker leader Andries Potgieter in 1845 and abandoned due to Malaria in 1848. It was resettled in the 1900’s after the scourge of Malaria was brought under control.

Relics of iron and stone age civilizations indicate that this area was populated by San people and other inhabitants thousands of years ago. Today this region produces diverse crops, such as maize, beans, fruit and paprika. The Ohrigstad River feeds into the Blyde River to fill the Blyde River Dam, at the lower end of the Blyde River Canyon.

The nearby Echo Caves were discovered in the 1920’s and have since been declared a Historical Monument. Ohrigstad boasts a range of accommodation from B&B’s to luxury Game Lodges.

Tours that include Ohrigstad

Ohrigstad attractions

Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga Province lies to the north-east of South Africa. In the Mpumalanga Highveld you’ll find grassland savanna and trout-fishing villages. The Mpumalanga Lowveld is known for fruit farms, game farms, private game reserves and the Kruger National Park. In between lies the spectacular escarpment and Blyde River Canyon.

Pilgrim's Rest

The village of Pilgrim's Rest in Mpumalanga Province exists because of the discovery of alluvial gold in the small stream in the valley where the village was later founded. The discovery was made in 1873 by Alex 'Wheelbarrow' Patterson. He was a gold prospector (panner) and arrived in the area with all his belongings on a single wheelbarrow.

Panorama Route

The scenic Panorama Route, with various viewpoints, runs along the top of a section of the escarpment between the Mpumalanga Highveld and Lowveld. It offers incredible views, we strongly recommend it. The Route may be approached from Ohrigstad or from the logging town of Graskop.