Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve, located roughly 13 km outside of Dullstroom, is a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts. The reserve is situated on the Steenkampsberg plateau, featuring rolling grasslands and sensitive wetlands. It is one of the few places in the country that breeds all three of the world’s endangered cranes, including the blue crane, the wattled crane, and the crowned crane.
But the reserve is not only home to cranes, but also a wide variety of other birds. An interlinked series of over 30 wetlands provide habitat for many significant bird species, including red data species. Guided tours around the reserve, which is an international RAMSAR wetlands site, are by appointment only and offer the opportunity to see these birds up close.
An ongoing project at the reserve aims to save the wattle crane from extinction by collecting the second eggs produced by these birds for incubation. The chicks are then raised in isolation in a specially designed facility, looked after by people in crane suits to ensure they do not imprint on humans. Once they reach 6 months old, they are released into the wild in an attempt to boost their dwindling numbers.
The open grasslands of the reserve are home to a diverse range of birds, including bald ibis, pitpits, larks, cisticolas, long-tailed shrikes, red bishops, and finches. The rockier parts of the reserve attract mountain chat, ground woodpecker, scarce grey winged and red winged francolin, and the Cape rock thrush.
In addition to birds, the reserve also includes a variety of other animals such as oribi, steenbok, brown hyena, caracal, serval cat, jackal, otters, zebras, wildebeest, and blesbok, which have been reintroduced to the area.
Notable attractions and popular destinations near Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers more than just the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds and animals in their natural habitat. The reserve also boasts a number of other activities and tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Dimitrov Art Gallery
One such attraction is the Dimitrov Art Gallery, located in the picturesque Mpumalanga town of Dullstroom. On any given weekend, you can find a small crowd outside the gallery, where the artist, Branko Dimitrov, paints portraits of visitors in bold brush strokes. The finished portraits are then displayed on the veranda for all to see, and the onlookers often cheer and clap in appreciation.
Inside the gallery, you’ll find a variety of paintings on music, such as a songstress in a red dress, a violinist, and guitar players. Classical music plays softly in the background, adding to the ambiance of the gallery. The colors and brushstrokes of the paintings are mesmerizing and leave you feeling lightheaded.
As you explore the gallery, you’ll feel your body caught up in a whirl of hues, notes, and fragrances. The soft Persian carpet and the colors of the paintings make you feel like dancing. This is a unique experience that is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve.
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve is not only a place for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, but also for art lovers. The Dimitrov Art Gallery is one of the many tourist attractions that the reserve has to offer, providing visitors an opportunity to explore the beauty of art and music in this picturesque setting.
Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant
The renowned Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant. Listed in Dine 2008’s Top 100 Restaurants, Mrs Simpson’s has been serving the Dullstroom community since early 2005. The restaurant specializes in offering only the best food and first-class service to its customers.
The menu at Mrs Simpson’s features a variety of delicious options, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal or a special occasion. Whether you’re looking to dine and wine, or organize a function, the restaurant has something for everyone, at prices you can afford. The friendly staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have about the menu and to help you plan your visit.
In addition to the delicious food and excellent service, the restaurant offers a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the nature reserve.
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers a wide range of activities and tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy, including dining at the renowned Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant. With delicious food, excellent service, and a comfortable atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to indulge and enjoy a delicious meal in a picturesque setting.
Long Tom Pass
The Long Tom Pass gets its name from the Long Tom cannons used during the Anglo-Boer war. The original Long Tom Pass was a treacherous one, filled with steep hairpin bends and hair-raising drops. It was originally the route followed by pioneer wagon drivers transporting goods from Mozambique to Lyndenburg. The road tumbled over the so-called Devil’s Knuckles, and many wagons were lost in this area due to its dangerous terrain.
Today, as you travel on the new tarred road, you’ll still see the old road twisting over its dangerous course but the danger is no longer present. The area is now rich in vegetation, like eucalyptus and pine trees as far as the eye can see. The scene is dominated by the peaks of Mount Anderson and Mauchsberg, making it quite a beautiful route to drive along.
Misty Mountain, a 280 hectare South African Natural Heritage Site situated on the spectacular Long Tom Pass, is a must-see attraction in the area. It is uniquely set in mountainous countryside with majestic views across the escarpment and into the lowveld. This is an ideal base from which to explore the Mpumalanga escarpment and the Kruger National Park. Visitors can also enjoy trout fishing in dams and weirs with equipment available to hire and guided quad biking excursions are just a few of the activities to do in the Long Tom Pass area.
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers an abundance of activities and tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the beautiful and mystical Long Tom Pass area. With breathtaking mountain ranges, exciting outdoor activities, and unique natural heritage site to explore, it’s a perfect destination for families and adventure seekers alike.
Bakoni Ruins
The ruins are located in the hills around Machadodorp, an unremarkable town on the edge of the escarpment, also known as eNtokozweni or Place of Happiness. They are a series of stone terraces generally regarded as walls built by the Bakoni tribe to retain pasture animals such as sheep and cattle.
The Bakoni can be traced back to at least the early 16th century, but the culture is probably far older, given that the ruins themselves can be dated to an incredible 200,000 years by some people’s estimates. However, just how old these structures are is anyone’s guess as they have not been thoroughly researched or excavated. They could be anywhere between 25,000 and 250,000 years old.
Archaeologists and historians know very little about the Bakoni ruins. The Bakoni people are referred to not in any written form, but in oral history and are considered by local archaeologists as different groups of people, with different origins, who arrived across a period of time. They became collectively known as ‘the people from the North’ – Bokoni. We do know that the structures on the hillsides and beyond were built long before the colonisation of South Africa, and that they were used for advanced farming techniques.
The sheer size and position of the stone retaining walls they built across the escarpment is thought to have been crucial to the success of their farming system. But the relative similarity of the walls across hundreds of kilometers does suggest an established society, as archaeologist Beinart proposes when he speaks of a ‘settled society with social and cultural continuity over time’.
The 1800s brought colonisation, and the Bakoni went from being a ‘functioning, diverse community’ to a ‘conforming, uniform one’. Many were absorbed into the Pedi, Swazi, and Ndebele tribes.
An entirely different hypothesis, held by Michael Tellinger, proposes that these terraces are far older. His esoteric hypothesis suggests they were built to create huge amounts of energy to find and extract gold from mines for people from another planet who arrived on earth in search of gold (the Annunaki).
Regardless of which explanation you choose to believe, the Bakoni Ruins are fascinating, and a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve. The ruins offer a glimpse into the ancient history and advanced farming techniques of the Bakoni tribe, and are a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the people who built them.
Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers a wide range of activities and tourist attractions for visitors to explore, including the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was established in 1997 with the aim of educating the public and promoting awareness of raptor species and their plight as a growing endangered species.
The Centre is extensively involved in promoting the well-being of raptor species and relies heavily on public support to maintain its efforts. Visitors can learn about the different species of birds of prey and the challenges they face in the wild. The Centre is located approximately 1km outside of Dullstroom on the Belfast / Dullstroom road, on the right-hand side just before entering Dullstroom from Belfast. It is well signposted and easy to find.
The Centre also offers guided tours and bird displays to learn about the different species of birds of prey and the challenges they face in the wild. It also provides a sanctuary for injured and orphaned birds of prey, and visitors can see the birds up close and learn about their rehabilitation process.
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers an abundance of activities and tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre is a great way to learn about the different species of birds of prey and the challenges they face in the wild. It is also a sanctuary for injured and orphaned birds of prey, and visitors can see the birds up close and learn about their rehabilitation process.
Horse Riding
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers a wide range of activities and tourist attractions for visitors to explore, including horse riding. If you love horse riding and the outdoors, you can combine the two interests and join for an unforgettable experience.
From 1 to 2 hours scenic, tranquil horse rides through beautiful countryside to a tour of Dullstroom and its pubs on horse-back, the trails cater for everyone – from the first timer to the experienced rider. Your guides are accomplished riders and are there to make your ride relaxing and enjoyable on sure-footed friendly horses – all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacular scenery. For children, the Centre offers led pony rides around the Centre on kind, reliable, and friendly ponies using our unique miniature “Kiddie Western” saddles. Safety is of prime importance and riding hats are provided. All rides are offered under the personal supervision of Dave & Rhoda Curtis.
This is a great opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside of Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve on horseback and experience the natural beauty of the area in a unique and exciting way. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, you will have a great time and take home unforgettable memories.
In short, Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve offers visitors a chance to see a wide range of endangered birds and other animals in their natural habitat. It’s a peaceful and serene destination that’s perfect for nature lovers and bird watchers.
