Go Extreme: The Best Adventure Activities Near Hazyview (And Where to Sleep After)

When you think of Hazyview, you think of the gateway to South Africa’s best-loved game reserves; among them: the Kruger National Park. And while we won’t pretend that this isn’t the headline act, our corner of Mpumalanga has slowly been developing into something of an adventure capital, with a number of adrenaline activities in the vicinity that allow you to interact with this beautiful landscape in new and thrilling ways!

Whether it’s careening down the Sabie River on a kayak, bobbing down it on a tube, or standing on the edge of the Graskop Gorge (with your stomach three seconds ahead of you), you’re sure to find some adrenaline near Kruger and Hippo Hollow serves as the perfect base for your stay. Not only are we conveniently located on the R40 (12 km from Kruger Park’s Phabeni Gate), but the estate itself serves as an activity centre for kids and a place to unwind for adults.

Here’s what to chase, and where to happily collapse at our lodge when the day is done.

Since we’re located on its banks, starting with the Sabie River just feels right. Guests staying at Hippo Hollow Country Estate will feel the pull of the river immediately upon arrival, which makes it handy that our team at reception can point you to the best Hazyview adventure activity operators and handle all bookings on your behalf. (This goes for all the activities listed below.)

The Sabie is the lifeblood of the Lowveld, and for adventure travellers, it’s the ultimate playground. Tubing (or geckoing) down the river is a fun day out for the entire family, with sporadic thrills when you pass over the faster rapids. You will be kitted with helmets and life-jackets, and guided down a pristine water corridor that few visitors ever get to see. The spray, the current, the surrounding riverine bush – it’s fulfilling in the truest sense.

For those who want a little more thrill and a lot more rapid, River Rafting with inflatable kayaks offers a rush with a paddle in hand – a brilliant option for families or anyone who prefers their adrenaline with a little more steering. (Though, toppling over is half the fun, and more than likely to happen!) Again, you’ll be kitted with safety equipment and led down a section of the river known for its white-water rapids.

Naturally, these activities are only suited to times of the year when the river has a strong flow, but is not at maximum capacity. Call ahead if you’re unsure.

Swap the river for the red dirt and climb onto a quad bike for one of the most satisfying ways to “eat up” the Lowveld landscape. (Pardon our gnarly motorhead lingo…) Guided trails wind through farmland, bush terrain and river valleys, covering ground that no game drive vehicle could reach. Suitable for absolute beginners and experienced riders alike, quad biking in Mpumalanga delivers the rare combination of adrenaline and scenery in equal measure. You’re as likely to round a corner into a sweeping Lowveld panorama as you are to tackle a technical downhill stretch.

If you’re travelling with a group, this is often the highlight reel moment everyone talks about on the drive back!

For a rush that comes with a view, Skyway’s Aerial Cable Trail along the Sabie River Valley is hard to beat. With eight ziplines stretching 1,2km across ten elevated platforms, the trail takes you gliding through the indigenous forest canopy (one of the last natural forested valleys along the Sabie River) sitting adjacent to the Kruger National Park.

This zipline Hazyview is the perfect activity for those who want their thrills served alongside something genuinely beautiful. Families, couples, groups – this one works for everyone, and the forest environment makes it feel like an entirely different world to the open bushveld below.

For those who prefer their adventures vertical, the Hazyview area delivers on that front too. The Skyway Tower Jump and Rope Adventure Park at Perry’s Bridge Hollow (our sister property) is for kids and adults alike. Think of it like an extreme jungle gym obstacle course with harnesses on, including rope bridges, balancing beams and a zipline.

Paintball in bushveld terrain is also on the cards for groups looking for something more tactical. (Because nothing sharpens your instincts quite like the promise of your child, partner or best friend getting one over on you with a nice splatter of paint at close range!)

If there’s one activity in this region that demands its own paragraph, it’s the Big Swing at the Graskop Adventure Centre. Most know this activity hub for its (gorge)ous (See what we did there?) Gorge Lift, and at only 35km away from Hippo Hollow, it’s well worth visiting, irrespective of the activity you plan on doing.

For those intent on tackling the gorge swing, you’ll launch from the top of a waterfall, freefall 70 metres in under three seconds, and reach 140km/h before the rope pulls you into a sweeping arch across the gorge. It is, by any measure, the full commitment option. We see you, thrill seekers.

For those who want to experience Graskop’s drama on their own terms, the Viewing Lift descends 51 metres down the cliff face into the Afromontane forest below, home to an extraordinary network of elevated walkways, suspension bridges and waterfall views.

The zipline, flying 80 metres above the gorge floor on a 131m high-wire, sits somewhere between the two. And for those who just want to watch friends make questionable life choices from a safe vantage point, the Swing Café’s gorge-edge seating is among the finest spectator spots in Mpumalanga.

NOTE: We’ve only touched on adventure activities above. For a full and comprehensive list of all that’s available in our area, click here.

Here’s what nobody tells you about big adventure days: the return is half the experience. That particular sun-soaked and river-damp exhaustion deserves the right landing pad.

Happily, slowing down and relaxing is built into our property, from the viewing decks, lawns and pools, to the River Boma and Lounge & Bar. Step onto your thatched chalet’s deck above the Sabie River as dusk settles in, watch the elephants across the water at Elephant Whispers begin their evening wander, and let the hippos take care of the soundtrack.

When you’re ready, the Hippo Hollow Restaurant serves everything from pizza and craft beers to tapas, cocktails and hearty mains from an a lá carte menu.

Ready to make Hazyview your adventure base?

At Hippo Hollow Country Estate, we have:

• Standard Rooms
• Garden Chalets
• River Chalets
• Deluxe Chalets

Discover which style of stay best suits your travelling party before securing your dates via our seamless online booking platform. Alternatively, should you prefer the human touch, you are most welcome to contact us at reservations@hippohollow.co.za and we would be delighted to assist you with the process.

If you’re eager to secure your adventure activities Hazyview Mpumalanga already, we have a handy online activity form that you can fill in ahead of your stay. This enables our team to set up excursions for you in advance, or to send on any necessary information.

We look forward to welcoming you to South Africa’s new adventure capital!