City: Mpumalanga
Top Things to do in Mpumalanga
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What to do and see in Mpumalanga, South Africa: The Best Places and Tips
Mpumalanga /əmˌpuːməˈlɑːŋɡə/ ( listen) is a province of South Africa. The name means "east", or literally "the place where the sun rises" in the Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu languages. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area. It shares borders with the South African provinces of Limpopo to the north, Gauteng to the west, the Free State to the southwest, and KwaZulu-Natal to the south. The capital is Nelspruit.
Restaurants in Mpumalanga
1. Kruger National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Sarracenia - Norman, Oklahoma
This is the one park everyone should visit if they are visiting South Africa. It is very large and there are many camps that offer a variety of accommodation at different price ranges. The quality and maintenance/condition of the accommodation appears to vary from camp to camp. Punda Maria, for example, has very nice Safar tents and the rooms are fine. In general the losing can appear dated and often things may not work properly. Still these accommodation come at a fairly reasonable price considering where you are. Many camps offer cottages with cooking facilities even though there are restaurants in all the camps. I noticed that there are many more luxurious camps inside the park. These are concessions run by private companies and they tend to be expensive. I have not been to any of those, but perhaps paying more would give you nicer accommodation and better guides (usually food and guides are included in the price of these private accommodation).
The campgrounds in general don't look that great. Not much privacy at all and dusty at times.
If staying in the cheaper SANS park accommodation I would recommend that as soon as you check in you inspect your room and if there is a problem (e.g. bat urine/guano on your sheets etc. you may have a chance to change if they have other rooms). Often they will give you another room if they have any available.
The roads are in pretty good shape so you can drive yourself and most roads don't really requiere a high clearance vehicle. The miscellaneous drives offered by the park in open vehicles can be interesting, but we found that many of the drivers (no separate guide) are not that well trained. That can vary depending on who you get. I would recommend a sunset drive since you can then enjoy sunsets and be out there at an ideal time of day to see wildlife and you get to be out there at night too.
All camps have good restaurants and reasonably well stocked shops (food and souvenirs as well as books). Be sure and buy the excellent 2015 "Kruger self-drive routes, roads and ratings". You can do that at your first camp at the store. This book has detailed routes, maps and information that will be invaluable when planning your days in Kruger.
Keep in mind that all camps have strict opening and closing gate times. It is important to be aware of those times as they change with the seasons.
For foreigners planning to stay a while in Kruger or planning to visit many national parks while in South Africa purchasing a Wild Card is recommended. They are expensive, but since you have to pay per day per person while visiting the parks and some like Kruger NP are expensive, this will eventually save you money. Again this depends on how many days you will be in the national parks.
Good WiFi is to be found through out the park. One problem that you will find in all the camps are the habituated baboons and vervet monkeys. They are a problem and they can open your refrigerator and steal your food. They can also get into your car or inside your room or cottage in no time if you leave the doors open. They are smart and fast so you really have to take them seriously and keep all doors closed at all times. Trash or food can't be left outside or in the car and if in a tent they recommend you don't leave any food inside the tent either. Monkeys will rip your tent to get in. They have been ripped screens on windows in some camps. Monkeys are a big problem and most camps don't appear to be doing too much to improve this situation. The only place where I saw some action on this was at Punda Maria where they now have a monitor (a live Sans park person) who hangs around the area where the safary tents are. He will deter or scare away any monkeys that try to get inside the tents. This tells you how bad things most have gotten for the camp manager to start doing this. Hopefully all camps will be this proactive in the future
An amazing park, vast and full of roads that you can explore while looking for wildlife. Cooking is a good option if you don't want to eat at the restaurant every day. I would return to Kruger if visiting South Africa again.
2. Elephant Whispers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 777 reviews
For those seeking a unique and memorable wildlife encounter, an Elephant Interaction and Ride at Elephant Whispers is an exciting and touching experience not to be missed. Situated in the Sandford Conservancy on the banks of the Sabie River in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, Elephant Whispers offers an Elephant Experience of a lifetime which will leave you with a renewed respect and admiration for these gentle giants of Africa.
Reviewed By lindymiles - San Diego, California
At this elephant rescue organization, we spent around 3 hours learning about African elephants and efforts to protect them. This organization has a small herd of adults that were rescued from a culling project in Kruger National Park a few years ago. The elephants have been gently trained to move right, left, etc., Using treats and other rewards. Petting the biggest male elephant there was the experience of a lifetime. We felt his leathery, sensitive ears and scratched behind them. We caressed his side and dropped treats into hid soft trunk which immediately conveyed them to his mouth. We felt the thick wiry hairs at the end of his tail. I loved hugging a front leg and giving him a good scratch behind it. The love for their elephants was obvious in the caretakers' actions. The owner of the site gave us an excellent lecture about elephant anatomy and conservation efforts. He told us about the overpopulation of elephants in the park and that the trees and other foliage are being severely damaged. It is difficult to sterilize wild elephants and track them. Better birth control methods must be developed.
3. Dullstroom Bird Of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
The Dullstroom Bird Of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre strives to educate the public on the plight of raptors. We provide flying demonstrations, handling and photographic days to the public as part of our educational drive. We rehabilitate injured wildlife and also breed and release raptors back into the wild. Our centre is a worthwhile visit.
Reviewed By Matt R
On altitude training camp in Dullstroom and we went to the 2:30 bird display one afternoon. It was a quality show and the staff / birds where amazing. Highlight was seeing the peregrine falcon. Simply awesome.Thank you for taking time out of your training schedule to come visit. We are glad you enjoyed yourself. Hope to see you again next year.
4. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
The 33 km long spectacular gorge has an abundance of wildlife.
Reviewed By Mono_Jockos - Barcelona, Spain
As it was only our second day in SA, and the first day of the tour, we were both a little jet lagged and clueless about what we would see after we left Johannesburg, but this place - slightly grim weather notwithstanding - was mind-blowing and in a dim way, even more so as we didn't really register where we would be going.
The canyon is incredibly scenic - more like New Zealand than Africa despite having never gone to New Zealand.
The little African huts/shops selling trinkets etc nearby were more in keeping with the place, but the vendors never hassled us into looking or buying, unlike many other places we visited.
A truly amazing natural spectacle!
5. Three Roundavels
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By ihabelghazzawi - London, United Kingdom
During our Panoramic safari, our guide brought us to The Three Roundavels. We stopped here for about 30 minutes. It was really amazing scenery. A few locals selling souvenirs to the tourist (very polite and welcoming) were there. There are a few viewing areas and you can go fo a lovely short walk. The second one was just stunning ...
Make sure you stay within the safe areas as it can get quite windy and you have to be careful up there.
Perfect stop over - 30 minutes were perfect.
6. Panoramic Route Mpumalanga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Reviewed By christojdejager d - Brakpan
The panoramic route in Mpumalanga must be one of the most beautiful routes in the world!On this route we find Mountains, Valleys , Waterfalls,and some of the most beautiful nature scenes in the world!Tourists from overseas cant stop talking about the wonderful nature scenes they find on this route!
7. Panorama Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 868 reviews
Reviewed By Fisovee - Mbabane, Swaziland
If you want to just forget about the hustle and bustle of the city, take a drive on this route. The views are amazing, you will breath all negativity out of your body. I need this often in my life. There are also plenty of things to do and places to visit on the route
8. South African National Parks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By Mono_Jockos - Barcelona, Spain
Excuse the title - how could visiting Kruger National Park be anything other than amazing? I just feel I use these adjectives too often as I have been lucky enough to experience such wonderful/amazing things...
We were picked up before dawn from Ingwenyama in the howling wind and driving rain and were driven for more than an hour in these weather conditions - knee blankets were provided.
Before you think it was horrible, it wasn't. If it had been super-sunny at 7am there would have been no animals to see as they would have been hiding in the shade, so the seemingly terrible weather for us resulted in better weather for the critters and so we had an amazing time seeing them in their natural habitat.
The entrance situation was sorted out for us as we were with an organised tour, but it may take ages for individuals, as it wasn't a very timely process for us. However, once into the park our driver took us along well established routes (no alternatives) but we were lucky enough to see a spotted hyena and nobody in any other
vehicle comprising our group managed to see one!
We saw loads of elephants which makes me feel really positive about their conservation efforts in the face of constant poaching - they 'might' even have more than legally allowed, based on hectares necessary per animal - but I heard this from a bloke in the bar so don't read too much into it ;-)
After two hours of extensive looking we saw many different kinds of animals and some pretty amazing rock structures.
The café/restaurant where we ate was good - it could have been a lot worse and a lot more expensive, but it was pretty much burgers...
Another thing ticked off my 'bucket list' - it would be incredibly rubbish for anyone visiting SA not to visit Kruger, and all money goes to conserving this wonderful park and its inhabitants!
9. Lone Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By sfuhere - uk
Well worth the trip from Sabie to see these - despite the numerous potholes which made it an awkward drive. I found it amusing that Mpumalanga roads department have an office on this road - maybe they could start their work right here! Nonetheless, when you get there it is a splendid spot - really high Waterfalls and a peaceful feeling. You feel like you’ve got away from it all. Well worth making the effort for. About a 15 minute drive from Sabie town.
10. Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
The Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit, ‘grows’ magically out of the confluence of the Crocodile and Nels Rivers and offers up a magnificent array of nature’s treasures. The two rivers create spectacular Waterfalls which give this Garden its visually spectacular character.
Reviewed By skippie1973 - Krugersdorp, South Africa
On our way to visit family we stopped over for lunch at the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens in Nelspruit one very hot afternoon. They have a beautiful restaurant with a MIST cooling system in the outside Seating area that helps with keeping the insects at bay and to cool down. The food was great and my daughter enjoyed her milkshake. We went for a quick walk to view the waterfall but unfortunately could not stay longer to explore the rest of the Gardens which is impressive. We definitely will be back with more time on our hands to experience more of this wonderful place. TIP: Come prepared with good walking shoes, a water bottle, hat, sunblock and insect repellent.
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