White River (Witrivier) is a leafy farming and residential town in the Mpumalanga Lowveld, about 20 km north of Mbombel…
- Do Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre
- Do Gin & Co tasting room
- Do Golf at White River Country Club
- Do Klipkoppie Dam
- Do Longmere Dam
Mbombela
Formerly Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga and a gateway to the Kruger National Park.
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.
Close by Mbombela
More to do and see in towns a short drive awayA historic gold-rush town in the Makhonjwa Mountains, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the oldest rock…
- Do Barberton Heritage Walk
- Do Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail
- Do Barberton-Bulembu-Badplaas scenic route
- Do Gold panning
- Do Old mine tunnel walk
Businesses in Mbombela
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Accommodation (123)Agriculture (1)Automotive (10)Business Services (59)Community & Government (10)Education (10)Food & Drink (36)Health & Wellness (20)Home & Building (11)IT & Electronics (16)Shopping (67)Tourism & Leisure (11)Transport & Logistics (6)
MTEK Panelbeaters
Panel beater in Riverside Park, voted Best Panel Beater in the Best of Mbombela 2024 awards.
Panel Beaters
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
MTN Store Riverside Mall
MTN mobile and data store in Riverside Mall.
Internet & Fibre
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
MUD Studio Mbombela
Make-up and beauty studio in i'langa Mall.
Spas & Beauty
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Mugg & Bean i'langa Mall
Mugg & Bean café in i'langa Mall.
Coffee Shops
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nando's i'langa Mall
Nando's restaurant in i'langa Mall.
Restaurants
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nando's Riverside Mall
Nando's restaurant in Riverside Mall.
Restaurants
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nedbank Riverside Mall
Nedbank branch in Riverside Mall.
Financial Services
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Batteries
Battery supply, testing and fitment centre.
Mechanics & Services
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Golf Club
Golf course lined with indigenous Lowveld trees, known for its birdlife.
Golf Courses
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Guesthouse
Guest accommodation in Mbombela, Mbombela, listed on a booking platform.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Hospice
Hospice serving the Mbombela region.
NGOs & Charities
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Lodge
Lodge voted Best Lodge in the Best of Mbombela 2024 awards.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit Private College
Secondary school mentioned among Mbombela's matric results awards schools.
Schools
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nelspruit SAPS
Nelspruit police station.
Police & Emergency
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
New Heights Development and Training
Training provider including occupational health and safety courses.
Training & Short Courses
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nhongo Safaris
Safari operator based in Nelspruit.
Tour Operators
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
NK Makhaya Attorneys
Law firm that took part in the Law Society's National Wills Week 2025.
Legal & Attorneys
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nomndeni View Lodge
Lodge in The Rest, Mbombela, listed on a booking platform.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nova Fire
Fire protection equipment supply and servicing.
Builders & Renovations
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nu Metro Riverside Mall
Cinema in Riverside Mall.
Casinos & Entertainment
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Number Worx
Accounting firm.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nutting House
Accommodation, conference and function venue on the N4 at Burnside.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Nyota Guesthouse
Guesthouse in West Acres.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
OCTOPi Smart Solutions
Office automation, telecoms, connectivity, security and IT services.
IT Support & Systems Administration
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Property in Mbombela
No property listed in Mbombela yet. List a property.