Mpumalanga Province Travel Guide

Lynnville is a pretty suburb where some of my best friends lived while I was growing up in South Africa. During the month of October (spring) it is especially pretty since there are numerous Jacaranda trees and it seems ablaze in purple that not only puffs against the blue sky, but also carpets the ground in soft flowers. When I got to Indiana University, I heard there was a Lynnville in Indiana, not far from Bloomington, where IU is located. It was fall and friends told me it was a special place. Lynnville in Southern Indiana is located in the prettiest part of the state. While northern and central Indiana is essentially flat and featureless, the southern part of the state has wooded , gently rolling hills. When fall comes around, the gently rolling hills with their lush vegetation turn into a painter's pallette of vibrant shades. The best place to enjoy the splendor of nature at that time of the year (or any other season if you are here during the summer or spring or winter), is Lynnville Park. Sitting on the banks of the river with a picnic lunch and a Nikon to capture the shifting play of light and shadows, is a delightful experience.

Graskop is a small town just outside the Kruger National Park. Best tip for here: if you are interested in African art of all kinds, a funky, groovy, artistic, eclectic surrounding, stay at the Graskop Hotel. Its four owners are truly "groovy" dudes. The hotel is about 40 miles from Numbi Gate, one of the Kruger Park entrances and close to many scenic spots such as Pinnacle Rock, God's Window (awesome views...hence the name!) Blyde River Canyon and Bourkes Luck Potholes. The hotel bar is hip and you can sit in the courtyard and get connected to the internet. Order coffee and order some pancakes (thin crepe-style delights!).

Sabie has the best restuarant of any of the Kruger Park rest camps. Even if you love to do you own cooking out, you have to try this for a typical South African treat. Desserts are great. For me the best was the milk tart (melktert in Afrikaans). It is like a custard pie with cinnamon and it is to die for. The night we were there they also served a local meat dish with a twist: Springbok bobotie. Sabie is a rest camp in the world famous Kruger National Park in South Africa.