The Lowveld is home to the seat of the provincial administration in Nelspruit, wild horse town of Kaapsehoop, creative and eccentric White River, and vibey Hazyview.
Here you will find the oldest dolomite caves the world - Sudwala Caves - a mesmerising butterfly garden and a botanical garden with an enormous collection of cycads and African rainforest. There's also a mall with an eight-theatre cinema complex, casino and entertainment centre.
The region borders Mozambique, Swaziland and the southern tip of the Kruger National Park and takes visitors to the historic towns of Barberton, Komatipoort and Kaapmuiden. Barberton was the centre of the local gold rush and the façade of Africa's first stock exchange, which was built in 1887, still stands.
The Greater Kruger Park is blessed with the world's leading safari lodges, where your every whim is fulfilled. You can enjoy stunning cuisine or cutting-edge spa treatments whilst Big Five sightings are orchestrated on your behalf by rangers tacking the bush from before dawn until after dusk
Large herds of antelope (bushbuck) decided that the grassy ridges surrounding this trading centre were ideal for grazing, and the town derived its name from their presence. Begun as a trading store opened in 1884, the town grew as a result of its position in a generous countryside of tobacco, cotton and vegetable farming.
Originally there were five large ranches in the area, used mainly for hunting. These farms were bought by the South African government and in 1967 were opened as a game reserve for African people, now open to everyone. The 20,000 hectare reserve is densely bushed and provides a sanctuary for a great variety of game. Visitors to the reserve may enter the Kruger National Park through a border gate.
Spring in Barberton
Copyright: South African Tourism
Apart from being home to some of the oldest rocks and first life forms on the planet, Barberton has a rich cultural background with gold pioneering history and Swazi pastoralists playing a major part. The richest gold discoveries ever have been made at places like Eurika City and the Golden Quarry. The Victorian heritage is omnipresent in the town with several architectural examples of the lifestyle of the 19th century open to the public.
Although most of the smaller towns in this part of Mpumalanga are close to the Kruger National Park, Hazyview is the closest – just a short hop to the Phabeni, Numbi and Kruger Gates. It’s a pretty little town with some lovely guest houses on the outskirts, and a couple of good restaurants.
Marloth Park is a holiday town situated next to the Crocodile River, which forms part of the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park. There are no fences in Marloth Park allowing wild animals such as kudu, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, zebra, nyala, buffalo, giraffe and many more to roam about freely.
Situated only 8 km from the Crocodile Bride Gate into the Kruger Park, and just 5 km from the Mozambique border and 65 km from the Swazi border, it is an important holiday destination town, offering day trips into the Kruger Park or to a neighbouring country, plus golf, fishing, elephant back safaris too (near by). There is much tourist accommodation available at all levels. The town is probably most famous for the Nkomati Accord that was signed here in 1984.
The little farming town of Malelane lies on the N4 national road just outside the Kruger National Park. The Malelane gate is one of the main entrances into the Kruger National Park, which means that the little town, and the farms that surround it, cater for visitors to the park, and there are some excellent lodges and Bed & Breakfasts - even the major supermarket players like Spar and Pick ‘n Pay have moved into the area, so you are assured of being able to stock up before entering the park.
Nelspruit Botanical Gardens
Copyright: South African Tourism
Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga and the commercial and administrative hub of the Lowveld. The Nelspruit Historical Trail is an hour-long route stretching from the Promenade Centre to the Civic Centre. The Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Nelspruit from May to September on a trip called the Lowveld Experience. Rovos Rails' trains also visit Nelspruit. The Green Heritage Hiking Trail in the Nelspruit Nature Reserve is one of several walks in the Reserve and one of many in the Nelspruit region. Not to be missed when in Nelspruit is the world-famous Lowveld Botanical Garden, as well as the Reptile Park, both situated near the Emnothweni Casino. The Lowveld National Botanical Garden features many rare Lowveld species which include the country's best collection of indigenous ferns, 500 tree species and the famous rare cycads.
Pine Lake near White River
Copyright: South African Tourism
White River is just north of Nelspruit only a few kilometers from the border of the Kruger National Park. A little vilage with stunning establishments in an area of scenic beauty. White River is well placed for visiting the rest of the Panorama Route and Kruger National Park.
There are excellent guest houses and lodges in this area.
