Nelspruit

Nelspruit is the Gateway to Mpumalanga and the Kruger Nation

Nelspruit is the gateway to Mpumalanga. With its sub-tropical climate and abundant sunshine and lush covered hills and valleys it forms the ideal base to explore Mpumalanga.

Nelspruit is the trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing area of Mpumalanga. Fertile soils and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the production of citrus and tropical fruits, mainly mango, banana, avocado, macadamia and pecan nuts.

Attractions in Nelspruit

The lowveld botanical gardens just outside of Nelspruit town boast a rare collection of plant species and the first man-made rain forests.

Nearby Sudwala caves, dinosaur park and cultural centre expose your senses to the primitive Africa.

A short distance away above Nelspruit is the gold mining town of Kaapsehoop where the mist filled evenings and a herd of wild horses grazing in the town transport you into a world of yesterday.

Many beautiful nature and hiking trails are in the vicinity of Nelspruit and a 1-hour historical trail acquaints you with the architectural and cultural history of the town.

Visits to the crocodile farm, ostrich farm and Halls estate (one of the largest subtropical fruit production farms in the area) give some idea of the variety and beauty of this area.

Nelspruit also boasts a mall with an eight-theatre cinema complex, casino and entertainment centre.

In the past Nelspruit’s ‘vacation’ potential was limited to the image of a drive through the centre en route to other tourist attractions. Hotel accommodation was aimed at the businessman staying over for a night and the tourist industry battled to bloom. This has all changed in the space of a few years. With Nelspruit now the capital of Mpumalanga, business is booming and this historical town has started to recognize it’s own tourism value. It is perfectly situated as a base for visits to the Kruger National Park, Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, Barberton, Sabie and Maputo. Families vaccinating here will find all the holiday spots within a few hour’s drive. Nelspruit is very much a small town with a big city mentality. The cultural mix of people found in Nelspruit is not surprising considering that the town developed around the railway and became a centre for trade. Nelspruit was named by engineers of the Eastern Line after the Nel brothers Gert, Louis and Andrè, who used the land on which the town was established for winter gazing. Later the area was used as a forward depot for the construction crews who needed a Lowveld base while building the difficult rail section westward to Waterval Boven. The town developed around the railhead and became a centre for trade as the need for a direct wagon route to the coast diminished. Nelspruit was proclaimed a town in 1905. It was also a crossover point for travel between the gold diggings of Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest in the Lowveld’s ‘Wild West’ era.

Nelspruit is situated on the Crocodile River. The climate is subtropical with hot summer days, and has the best winter climate in the country. Nelspruit has a lot to offer the visitors, including no less than six historical sites, the Nelspruit Nature Reserve, Bongani Nature Reserve and the Lowveld Botanical Gardens. Linked with the gardens is the Crocodile River Trail and a South African indigenous rain forest. The Croc River Reptile Park, located close to the Botanical Gardens features a variety of reptiles, birds, animal farm and butterfly collection. For the ‘not-so-nature-lovers’ there is the Nu Metro movie theatre as well as the Nelspruit Civic Theatre with top class performances. With four hotels in town and more than 40 guest houses, accommodation is not a problem. There is also the Nelspruit Resort Caravan Park, as well as the Rockery Hill and Lowveld Accommodation for backpackers. The town’s location, only 330 km from the Gauteng area, makes it an ideal base from which to explore the wonders of the Lowveld.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Altitude: 716 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 620 mm per annum

Average Temperatures

Summer 30°c; Winter 24°c

Banks

Absa 4 (ATM’s 17), Fnb 3 (ATM’s 5), Nedbank 2 (ATM’s 2), Standard 2 (ATM’s 14)

Car Rental

Avis, Budget, Imperial, Mashona Camper 4x4

Rivers

Crocodile River

HISTORICAL VIEW

Nelspruit Historical Trail

A short one hour route leads the visitor through the interesting facets of Nelspruit’s history.

NATURE

Bongani Nature Reserve

Kruger National Park

Nelspruit is an ideal base from which to visit this 2000 000 ha national park.

Lowveld National Botanical Gardens

Set out on the Crocodile River, the garden lies just a short distance from the city, on the White River Road (R40). This unique garden has been described as one of the finest botanical gardens in South Africa. Collections of indigenous and other plants, particularly the many lowveld species such as cycads, aloes and ferns have been blended along a superb riverine environment of pools, rapids and waterfalls. Other major attractions include a South African indigenous rain forest featuring a superb collection of fig trees for which the garden is famous. A self guided trail through the garden makes this an ideal day trip. A colony of hippo lives close to the garden where they manage to survive in close proximity to man. The Cascades Café offers a full range of refreshments.

Nelspruit Nature Reserve

ATTRACTIONS

Croc River Reptile Park

The tour takes the viewer through two impressive rooms, the first being a desert scenic complete with lizards scurrying across the pathway. The second room is the tropical room, complete with snapping crocodiles and dense bush. Vine snakes, spitting cobras and other fearsome creatures can then be viewed from up close in the main hall, each snake having it’s own glass fronted tank. Behind the scenes through, is one of the most complete herpetological laboratories in South Africa where snakes can be sorted, researched and nursed back to health if they are injured. Croc River also gives the area an all hours snake removal service.

Crocgrove Crocodile Farm

Visit this crocodile farm for a unforgettable experience.

De Brug Ostrich Farm

This farm offers one hour tours covering every aspect of ostrich farming. It was established in January 1994 with just seven ostriches which were purchased in the area. There are now 65 breeding ostriches (53 laying females) of which 10 were raised on the farm and 120 young ostriches. This breeding farm is unique in that it provides a glimpse into the complete breeding cycle of an ostrich. The guided tour starts promptly at 10:00 daily and includes a look at the incubators, the hatchery, chicks, three to nine months old ostriches for slaughter and a visit to the well stocked curio shop.

De Gama Dam Avocado Oil Factory

Tours through the avo factory and refinery can be arranged.

Mingerhout Verdite

Crafters of exceptional verdite sculpture, a country factory located on the R40 to Barberton.

Mizzi Dannerer

Manufacturers of fine leatherwork, exhibited at the studio 14 km from Nelspruit on the N4 towards Johannesburg.

Sudwala Caves and Dinosaur Park

Situated in the Mankelekele Mountains, the Sudwala Caves offer an unique experience to the visitor. The sheer size and extent of this natural network of caves allows for tours of up to six hours in duration. Next door, the Sudwala Dinosaur Park offers a Jurassic Park like experience to visitors, with life sized models of dinosaurs greeting you as you wander along the pathways. It hosts the main representative of different Dinosaur families in a lush sub-tropical garden. Also on exhibit are prehistoric reptiles, mammal like reptiles, ancient birds, extinct mammals, prehistoric man, Stone Age artifacts and live crocodiles, turtles and tortoises. Sudwala also boasts a newly opened Cultural Village and a curio centre complete with restaurant. Concentrating on the cultural theme, the curio centre is called Sudwala Kraal.

Tours & Safaris

Hamba Kahle Tours, Lowveld Tours, Marabu Safaris, Maurest in Africa Safaris, Safaris Siligato, Solitaire Tours and Safaris, Swaziland Tours.

Umbalal Glass Studio

Manufactures of jewellery, lamps and gifts in glass, 20 km from Nelspruit on the N4 west.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Crocodile River Trail

In the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, two hours. Elandshoogte Nature Trails, Kalkoenkrans, Mashonamin Trail, Shonalanga

Horse Riding

Hawkshead, Kaapschehoop

Accommodation in and around Nelspruit