Bald Headed Ibis fly at my eye level as I stand on the escarpment edge, they soar over the valley, an extreme,abrupt drop below us. Strong waters have flowed through the belly of this land for millions of years, cutting the path that makes the river gentle and the waterfall sometimes wild.

The railway line built from Delagoa Bay (Maputo) to Pretoria reached the beautiful Elands River Valley in 1893/4. This ushered in the town of Waterval Onder, where President Paul Kruger stayed during the South African War 1899-1902. Today his house, Krugerhof, is a national monument and museum, and well worth a visit. 'Above the waterfall' was attained later in 1894 and the depot established there grew into the town of Waterval Boven.