NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
From Ausdaver as a Central Base Camp
All these places can be visited in one day trips
Just next to the Highlands Meander is The Panorama Route, which abounds with breathtaking views from natural wonders along the eastern slopes of the escarpment.
Nature enthusiasts will discover cascading water falls while adrenaline junkies can get their next rush by bungee jumping, white water rafting or going on rigorous 4x4 trails. More gentler pursuits include hot air ballooning, walking trails and gold panning.  Ausdaver Guest Farm is situated between the Mpumalanga's Highlands Meander and the Mpumalanga's Panorama Route.
The Highlands Meander is a nature lover's paradise, boasting South Africa's premier some of the sub-continent's rarest birds, best rock climbing, and most spectacular wild flower displays -- all just two-hours drive from the metropolitan centres of Gauteng and Mozambique. Surrounding areas of Lydenburg (25km away from the farm) is also home to Africa's only breeding community of Wild Black Leopard, who haunt the wild mountain ravines and streams that characterise the Highland Meander.
 Fly-fishing mecca The region's diversity and string of quaint historic towns have made it a popular weekend hideaway for city dwellers seeking to escape the daily hustle and bustle and who eagerly visit Lydenburg and Dullstroom for South Africa's best trout and fly fishing. The town's stone lodges nestle along cool trout and Black Bass dams and streams, where bright yellow arum lilies and 120 other species of indigenous wild flower carpet the region in a kaleidoscope of colour every spring. The Three Rondawels  Sunset  Blyde River  |  Mac Mac Falls   God's window    Bourk's Luck Potholes  Blyde River Dam 
The long climb up  |
Elephant Sanctury
The Elephant Sanctuary is situated in the Lowveld on a 600 hectare reserve that is home to two African elephants: Kasper ‘the gentle giant” is a stunningly huge 3.3m tall male who was hand-reared on a farm in Namibia; Kitso is an adventurous and playful 10-year old elephant, just like his human counterparts! The Elephant Sanctuary – Hazyview has elevated wooden walkways, beautifully constructed decks overlooking water, riverine and outdoor areas, a Curio Shop and Elephant Sanctuary Reception.
The elephant experience and venue is suitable for:
- Family Outings
- Special Occasions
- Corporate Functions
- Tourism / Holiday Activity
A little History about Pilgrim's Rest.
Main Street Pilgrims Rest  | Historical Hotel  |
History of Pilgrims Rest
Mining in this region of Mpumalanga dates back many centuries, when unknown miners worked quartz reefs in the area for gold.
Proof of these diggings can still be found in this area.
The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz.
He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested.
Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by.
What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic gold panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World (news of gold strikes of this magnitude travel fast !).
On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel.
The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home.
In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the hundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue.
