Getting to Know Nelspruit

Slowveld Seduction 

Travelling to Nelspruit for business or a short break? The sunny "slowveld" capital of Mpumalanga is the gateway to the African bush. Fertile valleys, natural wonders, adventure activities and, of course, the Big Five lie within easy grasp of this small, but bustling city.

The oldest known caves on earth, the first man-made rain forest, and the greatest game reserve in the world are the best examples of what can be found on its doorstep, but you can also head out to God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon, Mac Mac Falls, the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Legogote (“Lion”) Mountain, or view the Barberton daisies.

With enviable subtropical weather all year round, you’re guaranteed warm days during the mild winters and toasty summers in which to enjoy the sights and activities that abound.

The city is full of buzzing activity, and Nelspruit is actually far more advanced than it is given credit for. With large shopping malls, a casino, raceway, and stadium, Nelspruit has all the commercial entertainment elements one could imagine, as well as regular fairs, shows and festivals throughout the year where the town and its talents are put on display.

While Nelspruit itself is sometimes underestimated, every home-grown South African knows that the Mpumalanga province is home to some of the most fantastic nature experiences in South Africa, including the Kruger National Park, where you only need a little luck to catch a glimpse of the Big Five.

A more certain sighting of intriguing animals can be found at the Crocodile River Reptile Park, Elephant Sanctuary, or the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary. After a hard day of wildlife viewing, it might be a good idea to slow the pace a little and visit the Africa Silks Farm, where you can delve into the spinning world of silkworms and silk production, followed by a glass of the farm’s famous homemade ginger beer.

The Sudwala Caves are roughly 35 km outside of Nelspruit, but well worth the trip. At 240 million years old, they are the oldest caves known to man. While the normal tours into the cave begin every 10 minutes during opening hours, it is worth a little more planning to join a crystal tour which, while a little more strenuous, takes you 2,000 m into the caves to view the spectacular array of aragonite crystals.

As much as the area has an abundance of attractions above ground, so too does it below the surface, which is why the mining town of Kaapsehoop was established on the outskirts of Nelspruit. This quaint town seems

to be stuck in the 1800s, and for a moment during your visit you may find yourself wondering why we ever changed from such a blissful way of life! Eagles watch over the buck, baboons and wild horses that roam the area, all while wholesome food is prepared in the wooden farmhouses and guesthouses.

Possibly the most understated attraction in Nelspruit is the Lowveld National Botanical Garden. Here, the Crocodile River meets the Nels River, but not before each flow over spectacular waterfalls within the garden. The enchanting walk through the gardens offers visitors a chance to view a wide range of critically endangered plant species and cycads, as it serves as an important conservation site. Plants have been brought here from across South Africa to be conserved and even from as far north as West and Central Africa.

Nelspruit is not only surrounded by beauty, it is also an important trading city, as many

people from Swaziland and Mozambique travel here to shop. It is one of the largest agricultural centres in South Africa, especially for sweet and juicy mangoes, papayas and citrus, and some of the country’s most delectable avocados, macadamias, and pecans. Sugar, manganese and timber account for much of the rest of the industrial activity.

Despite its size, the small city boasts two airports, offering flights to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Zambia, and Mozambique. If you do plan on flying in, just make sure that you get a ticket that you can extend, because after a few days here you are going to want a few more! And if there’s one thing to top off your visit, make sure you stop in Graskop to indulge in a deliciously filled pancake at the famous Harry’s Pancakes, and then wander through the Sunshine Art Gallery.

For a city with only 60,000 residents, Nelspruit really outdoes itself with one-of-a-kind attractions. It is South Africa at its best, even for South Africans.

<sidebar> Getting There

You can get to Nelspruit by air or road. The main road to Nelspruit is the N4 from Gauteng, which takes about 3½ half hours to drive. You can also access Nelspruit via the N2, N11 or N17 from KwaZulu-Natal, as well as via the R40 from Limpopo. Nelspruit has an international airport, the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

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