Overview
#Mpumulanga Mpumalanga is an African word, which means "the place where the sun rises", an apt name for this province lying in the (north-) eastern parts of South Africa. It is home to various cultures, tourist attractions and places of significant historical interest.
The province covers 6.5% of South Africa's surface area, which makes it larger than the Netherlands and Belgium combined. Although it features one or two small cities, it has a relatively small population of ± 4 million people (2011). Most live in rural areas. Nelspruit is the provincial capital.
Mpumalanga's population is largely SiSwati or isiNdebele speaking, but it also has sizeable communities of Xitsonga, SeSotho, isiZulu, Afrikaans and English-speaking people. Most people in the province can speak English and foreigners should not experience problems in communicating with the locals (in the outlying rural areas this may be less true).
In the tourism sphere Mpumalanga offers something for everyone. It has vast stretches of unspoilt nature and wilderness. Some of the more popular and better known attractions include the world renowned Kruger National Park and a variety of private game reserves. Towns in the Highland region include Belfast, Dullstroom & Lydenburg; the gold rush village of Pilgrim's Rest and the very scenic Panorama Route.
Tours that visit Mpumalanga
popular
Scheduled tours
16Day Highlights of South Africa Southbound
On this tour you journey through the most popular areas of South Africa, following the most-travelled, tried and tested route for first time visitors to the country. The tour provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people.
from R20,910
popular
Scheduled tours
Scenic and Wildlife Tour
On this tour you will view scenic Panorama Route sites, experience local culture, stay at a private game reserve, do game viewing in search of the big five, learn more about Bushmen paintings, interact with elephants and travel via Kaapsehoop with its population of wild horses.
from R11,350
popular
Scheduled tours
Wildlife Experience Tour
This tour will give you the opportunity to experience African wildlife in its natural surroundings. Apart from the four star hotels, you will also stay at two private game lodges and discover excellent South African cuisine. The tour will take you from Johannesburg into the scenic Mpumalanga province with its abundance of game reserves. Next you travel through the kingdom of Swaziland to KwaZulu Natal with different eco systems and game viewing. The tour ends at Durban, the holiday capital of South Africa.
from R12,315
Things to see
Game or nature reserve
Kruger National Park
##Kruger National Park The Kruger National Park in South Africa is internationally renowned as a world leader in conservation policies, practices and techniques. This Park stretches over 20,000 square kilometers (2 million hectares) and is home to an incredible variety of plant, bird and animal species, with the “big five” included (elephant, lion, rhinoceros, leopard and buffalo).
6 tours visit here
Attraction
Panorama Route
##Panorama Route The scenic Panorama Route, with various viewpoints, runs along the top of a section of the escarpment between the Mpumalanga Highveld and Lowveld. It offers incredible views, we strongly recommend it. The Route may be approached from Ohrigstad or from the logging town of Graskop.
5 tours visit here
Town
Pilgrim's Rest
##Pilgrim's Rest The village of Pilgrim's Rest in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa exists because of the discovery of alluvial gold in the small stream in the valley where the village was later founded. The discovery was made in 1873 by Alex 'Wheelbarrow' Patterson. He was a gold prospector (panner) and arrived in the area with all his belongings on a single wheelbarrow.
2 tours visit here
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