Nelspruit, officially renamed Mbombela, is the capital of the Mpumalanga province. Although the city is a major stopover point for those travelling to the Kruger National Park and to Mozambique, people tend to overlook it as a holiday destination in itself. Here are some exciting things to do while you’re here:

Do a chimp tour

Chimpanzee Eden, situated in the Umhloti Nature Reserve, is a home to chimpanzees that have been removed from their natural habitat. Guided tours are offered daily at 10h00, 12h00, and 14h00. Feeding times are 10h00 and 14h00. The tours cost R120 per adult, R95 per pensioner, and R60 per child. Contact +27 (0)79 777 1514.

Stroll through the Lowveld National Botanical Garden

Lying just outside of Nelspruit, the National Botanical Gardens boasts 159 hectares of stunning scenery, with both the Crocodile River and Nels River running through it. The garden features over 600 naturally occurring plant species and a further 2,000 that have been introduced to the garden.  It is open April to August, from 08h00 – 17h00 and September to March, from 08h00 – 18h00. Contact +27 (0)13 752-5531.

Explore the Sudwala Caves

Explore the Sudwala Caves, the oldest caves on earth, estimated to be over 3, 000 million years old. Rock falls, mud, and underground streams make the exploration of the caves challenging. Guided tours are offered every half hour between 08h30 – 16h30 and cost R80 per adult, R65 per pensioner, and R40 per child. Contact +27 (0)13 733-4152.

Sudwala Dinosaur Park
Located next to Sudwala Caves, the Sudwala Dinosaur Park is home to life-sized models of prehistoric dinosaurs in an outdoor setting that forms part of the PR Owen Museum. Take a leisurely stroll on your own or join an informative guided tour. The tours cost R50 per adult, R30 per child, and are free for children under 5.  The park is open daily from 08h30 – 17h00.

Shop at I’langa Mall

Shop to your heart’s content at Ilanga Mall, which features 110 stores with 45,000m² of retail shops, restaurants, and more. The mall is open Monday to Saturday 09h00 – 18h00 and Sundays and public holidays 09h00 – 15h00.

Dine at Brewer’s Feast

Brewers Feast is an all-day eatery with a laid-back setting and a kid’s playground. The menu offers tasty grills and light meals, including spare ribs, grilled chicken, and toasted sandwiches. Contact +27 (0)13 741-4674.

Hike the Kaapsehoop Escarpment Walk

Hike through a maze of unusual rock formations until you reach the edge of the escarpment. Here, you will enjoy breath-taking views with a 1,000 metre drop into the Barberton Valley. At night, the sparkling lights of Nelspruit and Barberton are visible, while early birds can admire the sunrise over the Swazi mountains.

Browse the Nelspruit Farmers Market

This monthly market takes place from 07h00 – 11h00 at the Nelspruit Show Grounds. Browse the stalls of fresh fruit and veggies, homemade baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Pony rides, jumping castles, and candyfloss are available for the kids! Contact +27 (0)13 752-2801.

Take to the skies

Adventure Skydives, between Nelspruit and Barberton, offers exciting tandem skydives. You will be given a short briefing, suited up with a jumpsuit and harness, and then flown up over 3,000 metres for your jump, attached to a qualified Tandem master. Contact +27 (0)83 949-7894. Bookings are essential.

Visit an orange farm

As you drive between Nelspruit and Johannesburg, you will come across many orange/mandarin farms. Stop off and enjoy delicious fresh orange juice and browse the offerings of oranges, pomegranates, avocados, pecan nuts, and mandarins on offer.

Spend a few days in Nelspruit to experience all that this little town has to offer. Browse our Top 5 accommodations in Nelspruit.