Mbombela, formerly known and still often referred to as Nelspruit, is in the Mpumalanga province. Mbombela is a major stopover point for tourists travelling to Kruger National Park and to Mozambique. Other tourism attractions nearby include Sudwala Caves, and God's Window in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, a lookout point which provides a panoramic view over the famous Drakensberg Escarpment.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
In 2020, the city was home to 110,000 people. Mbombela was founded as Nelspruit in 1895 by three brothers of the Nel family who grazed their cattle around the site in the winter months. During the Boer War, Nelspruit served briefly as the seat of government for the South African Republic, an independent Boer republic. The settlement was a key stopover for the Eastern Railway built by the Netherlands-South African Railway Company in the late 19th century which ran from the newly discovered Witwatersrand goldfields to Delagoa Bay in Portuguese East Africa (modern-day Maputo, Mozambique).
Travel around Mbombela by car and get an eyeful of the beautiful scenery and meandering mountain passes. The area is still quite wild and while you are driving around at your leisure, you may view small game and even some vervet monkeys and baboons. Hover Dynamics Mpumalanga, Nelspruit Airport Hanger No. J1-A, ☏ +27 74 231-2964, info@hover.co.za. Offers helicopter tours, rides and trips in the Mbombela and Mpumalanga area, including Kruger Park and other game reserves.
There are few attractions in Mbombela itself, but the surrounding towns and area can make for an interesting drive. 1 Lowveld National Botanical Gardens. It has a tropical atmosphere. It's on the road to White River before you get to the casino. Has several loop walks, bridges and waterfalls with several interpretive signs. There is a cost of admission, and like in many parts of South Africa a tip for the car minders. It can feel quiet and isolated, and there is no real security to speak of. Set in 154 hectares of land along the eastern bank of the Crocodile River, it hosts around 500 species of plant species indigenous to the area. (updated Jul 2018)
1 Mafunyane Waterpark (located adjacent to Riverside Mall and Emnotweni Casino), ☏ +27 81 538 9311. W-Su 10:00-17:00. Water slides and pools to play in. R130, R80 if height under 1.2 m. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Emnotweni Casino, Government Blvd, ☏ +27 13 757 4300. Daily 08:00-21:30. Try your luck at gaming, or there are the Movies at Emnotweni, stores, and restaurants on the premises, too. (updated Aug 2020) Several cultural and agricultural shows are hosted annually, including: The Lowveld Show The Lowveld Agri Show The Innibos Arts Festival The Nelspruit Motor Show The Colour Run
1 The Prego Lady (São's Pregos), 1 Sitrus Cres, Mbombela. 9:30AM to 3PM M-F, 9:30 AM to 1PM Saturdays. This establishment is practically a historical fixture of Nelspruit. Initially operating out of a caravan in the Pick 'n' Pay parking lot in the 90s, now a shopfront, São's pregos will not disappoint for a spicy lunch. Friendly service and reasonable prices. (updated Mar 2024)
It is not safe to walk around Mbombela after dark. There are lots of traffic lights in Mbombela, and vendors and beggars will approach your car when you are stopped. Keep your car doors locked at all times, and consider whether you may find dinner at your accommodation more pleasant than driving a distance through Mbombela after dark.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Nelspruit typically sees ~23°C daytime highs and 3 rainy days.
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