Badplaas

 

eManzana, formerly known as Badplaas, has much to boast about – hot mineral baths set in the bowl of the Dhlumudhlumu Mountains; a short distance to the province's largest game reserve, Songimvelo; and a network of underwater tunnels set in the Nkomazi Game Reserve that attract recreational and technical scuba divers from all over the world.

eManazana, meaning 'healing waters' in siSwati, is best known for its hot mineral baths that are set in the bowl of the Dhlumudhlumu Mountains, meaning the place of much thunder. The region attracts local and international tourists and is a famed getaway destination. No matter which time of year you visit, there's much to do for the whole family at the Forever Resorts besides soaking in its warm waters, splashing around in the pools and testing your courage on the water rides and slides. Why not challenge your family and friends to go-karting around the track, a round of putt putt golf or paint ball, there's even a zip line. Or immerse yourself in nature on a quad bike safari that lets you get closer to the resort’s game than you ever thought possible.

 

Everything you'll need for a fun-filled holiday is situated at the fully-equipped resort, but the region also has much to offer if you want to explore further. Not too far from Forever Resorts is the Cradle of Life Reserve, which is known for its predatory cats, such as: white lions, tigers, jaguars, pumas, leopards, cheetahs as well as Siberian wolves and hyenas. Visitors are enthralled by the feeding drive, but the game drives are just as popular.

 

Adrenaline junkies find thrills in scuba diving at the Komati Springs inland dive site. For those who enjoy water-based activities, but don’t want to get wet, hire a picnic boat for the day or house boat for a night at Vygeboom Dam; alternatively, you can launch your own boat or jet ski.

 

Take a scenic drive from Badplaas to the Songimvelo Game Reserve, which is Mpumalanga's largest game reserve and the only place in the world where you may see the rare woolly cycad. The terrain is rough and difficult to access by car, which is why the game reserve has become so popular for its horseback safaris that allow visitors to get up close to wildlife.

Even the game rangers patrol on horseback. There are also numerous archaeological features within the game reserve, such as the stone circles and terraces of the Bakoni people.