The city of Nelspruit lies 330 km east of Johannesburg and is situated only 50 km from the Kruger National Park. Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga (previously Eastern Transvaal) and was one of the Host cities for the World Cup Soccer 2010. Matches will be played at the Mbombela stadium with a capacity of a bit more than 40,000.
Nelspruit is the centre of trade for the surrounding fruit growing areas of Mpumalanga and has a large industrial area with timber mills and manufacturers of paper and furniture as well as the canning of fruit.
Visitors to the city have a variety of interesting places to see. Not only is it within easy reach of the Kruger Park but also close to the Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama route as well as the borders of Mozambique and Swaziland.
One of the great attractions of Nelspruit and situated on the outskirts of the city is the Lowveld Botanical Gardens stretching over 160 hectares and includes more than 2000 species of plants. But the heart of this beautiful area is the stunning waterfalls and cascades of the Crocodile and Nels rivers.
About 35 km from Nelspruit on the Sabie Road are the magnificent Sudwala Caves about 2 million years and amongst the oldest in the world, with stunning stalagmites and stalactite formations.
Activities in and around Nelspruit are many and varied, you can go on a hot air ballooning adventure, prospect for gold, go cave climbing or white water rafting. For the less adventurous you can visit the croc River Enviro Park to see crocodiles as well as reptiles and spiders from around the world., or if you prefer, just shop at Nelspruit’s popular shopping mall.
Accommodation in Nelspruit and surrounding areas is varied, with excellent Guest Houses, Lodges, and B&B’s to choose from.
Nelspruit is a good choice actually to spend some some days in South Africa. Also all the centre of attractions are at a close proximity and transportation is frequently available.