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South Africa Travel + Tourism Guide: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

City Guide I Tourist Office I Arrival I Accommodation I Entertainment I Internet Cafes

Nelspruit

capital and largest town of the Mpumalanga province (previously Eastern Transvaal)
330km east of Johannesburg and 100km west of Mozambique
ideal climate for the area's fruit cultivation
city dates back to 1905 and the Nel brothers
town lies in the fertile Crocodile River valley
population around 235,000
located in the east of South Africa
agricultural center and tourist base

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Situated in Mpumalanga to the very east of the country Nelspruit is the centre of the Safari and wildlife industry of South Africa. There is plenty to see, plenty to do in and around Nelspruit.

Nelspruit is a major victualling point for the private and national game parks and ranches in the area and many a beaten up Land Rover and khaki-clad game ranger, intent on their purchase of stores and spare parts, can be seen around the town.

Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province.

It is 50 kilometres to the southern entrances of Kruger National Game Park (an area larger than Wales) and slightly further to the very exclusive private lodges situated in the Sabie Sands Reserve which border the Park.

The new 43,000 seater stadium for the World Cup is presently under construction. It is situated in the area of Mbombela which is 7 kilometres to the north of the city centre and in the general direction of the Kruger Park entrance gates.

The Kruger Park is a "must see" if you are anywhere close to the area. The "Big 5" animals are prolific and all (except the nocturnal leopard) are almost certain to be seen. In addition there are also large numbers of giraffe, hippo, springbok, crocodiles and monkeys – in fact almost every animal associated with southern Africa.

Moderate to medium priced accommodation, from camping and small bungalows to private lodges, is available in the Park at one of the many overnight "camps".

Be aware that the Park gates close at 1800, and that early accommodation bookings are essential. New reservations are opened 12 months prior to occupation.

There are many entrance gates to the Park and it is possible to stay overnight at one camp and drive through to a second camp the next day. Facilities which include banks, swimming pools, restaurants and shops are available at some of the main camps.

Game drives with an experienced ranger are available throughout the day. The best game viewing time is either early dawn or late dusk, in winter, when the lion feeds.

I have seen prides of lions circling in for their kill or feasting on an unfortunate impala, all within 5 metres of our open Land Rover - a thrilling sight.

During the day educational safari walks within the Park, with armed rangers are also offered.

If your taste is more upmarket stay over at one of the world renowned exclusive lodges in the Sabie Sands Concession area which are the height of luxury, and visited by royalty and world leaders.

Animal rehabilitation projects and parks also abound in the region, namely :

The Crocodile Enviro Park, just to the north east of the city, the largest reptile and crocodile park in Africa. Besides the crocodile pits and enclosures there is a Turtle Pond and Fish Pond linked by cascading waterways. The park is on the banks of the Crocodile River and offers tropical gardens and riverside trails.

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre - one of the original projects established to save the magnificent, but endangered cheetah. Their are also different orphaned baby animals of various kinds, wild cats, vultures and elephant back safaris at the centre.

Take a short Land Rover trip through the project to see the birds and animals before viewing a short educational film.

Kaapsehoop, a small town in the rugged mountains south west of Nelspruit, is another town which evolved from the gold rush days of the 1870s. The unique feature of Kaapsehoop is the many wild horses that roam the area, supposedly originating from the release of mine ponies. The town now has a large artist population and fine hiking trails.

Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre is west of Nelspruit en route from Pretoria. One can watch flight demonstrations daily of eagles, falcons and hawks, and view and handle various species.

Nelspruit itself is a renowned trout fishing centre.

Situated on the edge of the northern Drakensberg Mountain range, and the "lowveld" - an area which stretches from Nelspruit to the Mozambique coast 200 miles to the east, the region is rich in mountain scenery, viewpoints and rock formations.

Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga Province.

The rock formations include, on the Blyde River north of the town of Graskop, Gods Window - close to the town of Graskop, 80 kilometres north of Nelspruit. This site gives views of the Blyde River Canyon to the north, Kruger Park and Mozambique to the east, and timber covered mountains to the west.

Blyde River Canyon is a magnificent sight, as the river cuts a winding passage at a depth of 750-800 metres through the strangely shaped gorges.

Bourkes Luck Potholes marks the start of the canyon and the confluence of the Treur and Blyde Rivers. Whirlpools have created large cylindrical potholes in the bedrock.

The Three Rondavels, just north of Gods Window, are three towering sheer walled peaks rising above the river gorge. Horses which can be rented at nearby Blydepoort Resort and will take you to a magnificent view site.

Mac-Mac Falls, named by Scottish gold diggers to the area, and situated 40 kilometres north of Nelspruit near the town of Sabie, are an awesome sight and offer a refreshing swim in the pools below.

The Sudwala Caves, are among the oldest known caves in the world, dating back 300 million years. In the past they were used as a refuge by Swazi kings against marauding Zulu raiders, and they are now open to the public. Situated 30 kilometres north west of Nelspruit.

During the trip to the Graskop area visit Pilgrims Rest - scene of a huge gold rush involving thousands of prospectors. The town, in a scenic valley, has been restored to it’s original state and you can have a beer in the Royal Hotel bar or stay in its corrugated iron rooms. There are many buildings and shops of historical interest which help to capture the gold rush days.

Another historical gold rush town 60 kilometres to the south of Nelspruit, and site of the first South African Stock Exchange, is Barberton. Barberton is close to the border with Swaziland and visitors are able to join old prospectors in their alluvial panning for gold. The town has a very good mining and local history museum.

Within the city and on the edge of the Crocodile River there are the 150 acres of the Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - home to 2,500 plant species and 650 tree species. The Nelspruit Falls lie within the gardens and midday concerts are held near by.

Being an outdoor tourist area there are a multitude of accommodation options in and around Nelspruit, or in the quaint town of White River, 20 kilometres to the north, from the luxurious game lodges, hotels and golf estates, good guest houses and resorts, through to down-to-earth, backpacker establishments.

A visit to the area offers a tremendous opportunity to stay in, or close to, a wild life game park for a couple of nights.

Night life in Nelspruit is not prolific, though there are some good and original pubs frequented by hardy game rangers and modern day prospectors.

Tourist Offices

The Lowveld Tourism Center (Tel: 013 755 1988) is in the Nelspruit Crossing Mall on Louis Trichard Street.
The Mozambique Consulate (Tel: 013 752 7396) is on Bell Street and does same-day visas.

Getting There

Air

Just to the north east of the city the local airport, Mpumalanga Kruger International Airport (Tel: 013 753 7500) connects internally with Johannesburg (one hour), Durban (90 minutes) and Cape Town (2 hours).

Maputo Airport in Mozambique is growing, and presently accepts flight from Lisbon, Mauritius and Paris.

Rail

There is an overnight train service (Komati) to and from Johannesburg which takes 10 hours.

Bus

Nelspruit is situated on the eastern edge of South Africa close to the border with Mozambique and Swaziland. Mozambique’s capital Maputo is a long 160 kilometres distant but does have excellent beaches, scuba diving and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
A good road connects to Maputo but (as at 2007) be aware that there are huge delays at the border post.
The N4 national route, both from Pretoria and Johannesburg, is an excellent road all the way through to Nelspruit and involves 6 hours driving.
Road travellers from Durban should take the N3 to Ermelo, then continue north on the N11 before joining the N4. Alternatively, from Ermelo they can turn head towards Carolina, the mineral springs at Badplaas and continue north through the mountain passes of Nelshoogte and Bothasnek.
Luxury coaches travel the N4 route which connects to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Maputo.
If soccer fixtures dictate that your team is playing consecutively in Polokwane and Nelspruit consider driving north through the Kruger Park to Klaserie, passing Timbavati, home of the white lions, and Hoedspruit, which is also a safari supply centre, and then turn inland to Polokwane, all on very good roads through more wild life parks.

Getting Around

The minibus taxi park is behind Nelspruit Plaza with destinations including White River (20 mins), Barberton (40 mins), Sabie (60 mins), Hazyview (60 mins), Graskop (90 mins) and Komatipoort (2 hours).

Map of Nelspruit - see a scrollable map of Nelspruit showing the location of the soccer stadium.

Security

The South African government are aware that public safety is a major issue and are determined to increase the quantity and proficiency of the police force over the next couple of years.

Car Hire

All the major car hire companies are well represented in all major cities and at the airports. Cheaper less exclusive local companies also offer vehicles for hire.

Rent A Car With Holiday Autos

Rent A Car With Sixt

Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Mercure Nelspruit Hotel - 3 Star Hotel
Southern Sun Emnotweni Hotel - 4 Star Hotel
Town Lodge - 2 Star Hotel

Book Accommodation in Nelspruit

Eating

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Drinking

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Internet Cafes

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Football Teams

The South African professional soccer season runs from September to May. Nelspruit's World Cup Stadium is the 40,000 seat Mbombela Stadium.

Weather

The climate around Nelspruit, in the winter time, is mild with day time temperatures rarely going below 18 degrees Centigrade. There should be no rain at the time of the World Cup.

Kevin Wilyman