'''Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa'''

Waterval Boven is a small country village situated on the Transvaal Drakensberg Escarpment smack bang in the middle of Mpumalanga province. The town started out in the early 1890's when the steep gradients called for tunnels and bridges to be built for the line between Pretoria and Delagoa Bay (Maputo). 'Boven's main industry was the railway operations until the 1990's when operations were scaled down.

The town was named after the 75m Elands River Waterval just outside town. The translation from the old Dutch is "Above the waterfall". This is only one of the waterfalls nestled in the valleys surrounding 'Boven.

Today Waterval Boven is a retreat for rock climbers, mountain bikers, fly fishermen and anybody who just wants to enjoy nature and the slow rhythm of country life.

Rock climbers discovered the quartzite cliffs of the area in 1991 and Waterval Boven has since become a major attraction to the domestic and international climbing community. With over 600 sport routes and a 150 traditional lines there is enough climbing to make you come back for more.

Mountain Bikers can enjoy a number of single tracks in the area offering excellent riding and panoramic views. Other activities in the area include hiking, horse riding, fly fishing and bird watching. Fly fisherman can choose between stocked dams as well as river fishing. The river below the falls is home to an endemic yellow fish species and for that reason not stocked with trout.

Accommodation on offer ranges from luxury lodges to backpacker style budget accommodation.

Conveniently situated en route to the Kruger National Park and roughly 2 hours drive from Johannesburg/Pretoria this is a destination worth visiting on it's own or as a stop over into the Lowveld.

For current events in Waterval Boven visit www.watervalboven.com.