Mbombela, Mpumalanga

History

The town was founded in 1895 on land where three Nel brothers grazed cattle in winter. The name Nelspruit joins the family name to 'spruit', a stream that dries up in summer. The town grew along the Pretoria-Delagoa Bay (Maputo) railway, and during the Second Boer War it briefly served as the seat of the South African Republic's government. It became the capital of Mpumalanga in 1994. In 2009 it was renamed Mbombela, and the High Court upheld the change in 2014.

Getting there

The city lies on the N4 Maputo Corridor toll route (about 330 km east of Pretoria), with a northern bypass. The R40 links it to White River and Barberton, and the R37 links it to Lydenburg. Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is about 27 km north-east and has scheduled flights. The smaller Nelspruit/Mbombela City Airport (about 9 km south-west) handles general aviation. The station is on the Pretoria-Maputo railway line.

Weather & climate

Humid subtropical. Summers (Nov-Mar) are hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, and December-January is the wettest period. Winters are dry with mild sunny days and cool nights. Rainfall is about 767 mm a year, with average daily highs near 27 °C and lows near 13 °C.

Things to do

Alkmaar 4x4 Trail4x4 trail on a farm about 16 km west of the city. alkmaarfarmstay.co.za
Central Park Waterpark (Riverside Mall)Outdoor waterpark outside entrance 2 of Riverside Mall.
Chimp Eden (Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Sanctuary)Sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees in the Umhloti Nature Reserve on the Barberton road, with guided hour-long tours.
Emnotweni CasinoBelle-époque-styled casino and entertainment complex near the Botanical Garden.
Innibos National Arts FestivalAnnual Afrikaans-led national arts festival with music, theatre and craft stalls, held in Mbombela each winter. innibos.co.za
Kruger National Park (via Numbi gate)Mbombela is a main gateway to Kruger, about 50 km away; Numbi gate is the closest south-western entrance.
Nelspruit Farmers MarketMonthly market under a marquee at the show grounds with produce, baking, crafts and kids' activities.
Nelspruit Nature ReserveNature reserve within the suburbs near Sonheuwel, good for walks and birding.
Steiltes Nature ReserveHillside reserve with walking trails above the Steiltes suburb.

Things to see

Kaapsehoop PassScenic mountain road from Mbombela up to Kaapsehoop, an alternative route west.
Lowveld National Botanical GardenGardens along the Crocodile River with waterfalls. sanbi.org
Makhonjwa Mountains (Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site)Part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with some of the oldest exposed rocks on Earth, lies inside the City of Mbombela.
Mbombela StadiumStadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with roof supports shaped like giraffes; home of the Pumas rugby team.
Sudwala CavesAmong the oldest known caves in the world.