Overview
Take a trip to Mpumalanga on your South Africa Vacation
Mpumalanga, “the place where the sun rises” is a province located in eastern South Africa, bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. Internal borders include Limpopo, Gauteng, the Free State and KwaZulu Natal. Prior to the election of 1994 and a reconfiguration of boundaries, Mpumalanga was part of Transvaal province which can be expereinced on South Africa tours.
The Drakensberg Escarpment which exceeds heights of 2,000 m (6,561 ft) divides the province in two. To the west is the high-altitude grassland known as the Highveld while the eastern half is the low altitude subtropical Lowveld/Bushveld. Nelspruit, the capital city, is the commercial and administrative hub of the Lowveld. It is also the centre of a vast citrus-growing region.
Once a gold rush region, towns like Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest celebrate the history of the pioneers and fortune seekers who once called the area home. The streams and rivers that were used for panning gold now offer excellent fishing opportunities on South African vacations.
Encompassing nearly two million hectares and fourteen different ecosystems, part of Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, is located in Mpumalanga. The park boasts “the Big Five”, the lion, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros.
The term “Big Five” was coined by game hunters regarding the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. Kruger is world renowned and is considered the flagship of all South African National Parks.
Encompassing nearly two million hectares and fourteen different ecosystems, part of Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, is located in Mpumalanga. The park boasts “the Big Five”, the lion, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros.
The term “Big Five” was coined by game hunters regarding the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. Kruger is world renowned and is considered the flagship of all South African National Parks.
At a Glance
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Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, EnglishCurrency
South African Rand (ZAR)What do the experts say?
Skip the more commercial wineries and visit artisanal producers—you’ll find sparkling wines and small-batch reds that are absolutely world-class
Djembe drumming at GOLD in Cape Town is an immersive African experience through their 14-dish food safari and unique live entertainment
The game viewing in Kruger and Eastern Cape always draws me back—it’s truly superb
South Africans are famously warm—when you’re new in town, you're often invited to a braai, our way of welcoming people through food
South Africa is a wonderful starting point for Africa. It's got some of the top cities in the world, stunning food and wine, and exceptional value for money
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