Best views of the Lowveld in Balule?
Scenery is not necessarily the first thing safari goers consider but it should not be underestimated as one of the key factors that underscore and shape their overall satisfaction and experience.
These ancient volcanic formations , locally referred to as koppies are estimated to have been first formed over 2000 million years ago ,igneous granite rocks weathered into unlikely shapes give a Jurassic park feel to the area. Part of the Phalaborwa Complex they are satellite intrusions to the main volcanic pipe which is replete with copper and vermiculite deposits as well as foskorite and is mined extensively. You can drive through the Phalaborwa Mine and drive up the man made mountain of ore removed for open cast mining to make the third largest man made hole on the planet. Pretty it is not but impressive nevertheless and if you drive to the very top you can take in probably the best 360 degree view of the Lowveld.
The mountains in the background are part of the Drakensberg Range which afford a dramatic backdrop to the Lowveld bush
On Olifants West Nature Reserve traversing to the Olifants river depending on the route chosen involves being driven in 4 x 4 style over a succession of switchbacks , the summits of which provide awesome panoramic views towards Phalaborwa to the North and Tzaneen to the North West.
First time safari guests are often taken aback to find elephants, black rhino, buffalo, giraffe and zebra amongst other mammals in this often steep ,hilly terrain. So often their expectations formed from TV natural history documentaries are that these species are only to be found in relatively flat and open plains. On Balule we are blessed with both types of terrain as well as Big 5 and the kind of diversity of species you would expect to find in the the Greater Kruger National Park. There is a huge range of tree and bush species as Olifants West Nature Reserve is South of the Olifants River which appears to be the demarcation of the Mopani dominant vegetation to be found North of the Olifants River.
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