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'Pinnacle' is a single quartzite column rising
out of the deep wooded canyon and the ‘Three
Rondavels' (also called the 'Three Sisters’),
are three huge spirals of dolomite rock rising
out of the far wall of the canyon like rockets
about to take off. Their domed heads are iced
in green and their sides are stained with fiery
orange lichen. From the 'Three Rondavels' you
can see the extensive Swadini Dam in the far distance,
which marks the end of the reserve.
At
the meeting point of the Blyde River (‘river
of joy’) and the Treur River (‘river
of sorrow’), water erosion has created one
of the most remarkable geological phenomena in
South Africa. The ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’
have taken thousands of years to form weird cylindrical
sculptures carved by swirling water. The smooth
red and yellow rocks contrast artfully with the
dark pools, in which swim many fish.
The
geology and climate of this high rainfall plateau,
means there are masses of beautiful waterfalls
- many of which you can visit, while others are
hidden deep within some of the largest man-made
forestry plantations in the world, with row upon
row of pine and eucalyptus trees. There are also
many streams and fresh trout is on the menu of
most restaurants.
Its
proximity to Kruger National Park makes this a
convenient post-safari scenic stopover.
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