Following its opening in December, the Graskop Gorge Lift on Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route, has achieved massive tourist success, with 15 831 visitors in January, and 9 183 visitors in February, this year.

Africa’s first viewing lift descends 51 metres into the Afromontane forest, and offers a panoramic view of the Motitsi waterfall and views of the forest canopy and the Graskop Gorge during the descent. At the foot, a 600-metre elevated circular trail winds through the forest, and numerous bridges criss-cross the river with interpretation stations dotted across them, explaining the biodiversity of the forest. Special features include the mushroom and butterfly sections.

Butterfly Bar has a sugar water fountain dotted with bright flowers that attracts butterflies and a comprehensive information board; while Mushroom Corner explains how fungi ‘talk to one other’ through tiny threads called mycelium. A fascinating feature is the log that has been primed with mushroom spawn, giving visitors to the forest a chance to learn how to grow their own mushrooms and watch the development of the fungi. This section too has informative boards to teach visitors about the fascinating facts about fungi.

The centre, which is just four hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, also offers a restaurant, an African art gallery, African fashion clothing shop, curio shop and community craft market.  

Entry fee to the Graskop Gorge lift site: R20

Lift fee (adults): R175

Lift fee (children under 16 years): R120                                                     

Pensioners (65 years): R120