Rocky Drift Private Nature Reserve

Hiking trips are some of the main highlights around Waterval Boven, with trails like the winding Elangeni along the Elands River within 10 minutes’ drive; other local paths include those around the Blaauboschkraal stone ruins, sometimes referred to as Africa’s answer to Stonehenge (35 minutes away). Learn about the region’s ancient past with guided tours of the Stone Circle Museum (which also has a bistro, bar and bookshop) 10 minutes down the road – this area's had its fair share of more recent history too, as the valley’s slopes and gorge were once home to former President Paul Kruger's commandos during his escape to exile in the 19th-century. Martini-Henry rifle shells and enamel mugs used by Boer War soldiers and scouts are still sometimes dug up here... Not done with trekking yet? The varied trails of Wathaba, through mountains and forests past rivers and rocks, are within 35 minutes’ drive, while the gorges and rockpools of Bermanzi are 50 minutes away. Feet starting to hurt? For a sit-down activity instead, organise a fishing expedition on the Elands River after chatting to the informative folk at the Waterval Boven Trout Association, 10 minutes from the park.