Things to do in Mpumalanga
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4WD Trails
The longest and most established of Kruger's 4WD trails is the Lebombo Motorised Eco Trail, a rough, rugged 500km 4WD route along the eastern boundary of the park, departing from Crocodile Bridge and ending at Pafuri. The trail lasts five days and costs around R4900 per vehicle (maximum of four people per vehicle). You'll need to provide your own vehicle, food and drink (it's completely self-catering).
Only five vehicles are permitted at a time on the trail (plus the vehicle of the ranger who accompanies you). Book well in advance through central reservations. There are also four shorter trails, all averaging about four hours, and costing around R460 per vehicle plus an a…
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Wilderness Trails
Kruger's wilderness walking trails are one of the park's highlights, and a major attraction of the Southern African safari experience. They are done in small groups (maximum eight people), guided by highly knowledgeable armed guides and offer a superb opportunity to get a much more intimate sense of the bush than would ever be possible in a vehicle. The walks are not particularly strenuous, covering about 20km per day at a modest pace, and are appropriate for anyone who is reasonably fit.
The itinerary of each walk is determined by the interests of the group, the time of year and the disposition of the wildlife. Most wilderness trail walks last two days and three nights, …
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Bird-watching
There is excellent bird-watching throughout Kruger National Park, with the far north (from Punda Maria Gate up past Pafuri Gate) arguably one of the best birding areas on the continent. There are a handful of hides scattered throughout the park; see the birding pages on the website for SAN Parks (www.parks-sa.co.za) for a listing of their locations. Several of the bushveld camps also have their own hides, and some of the larger camps run bird-watching excursions on request.
There is also an annual 24-hour Birding Big Day in January. For information on this, and other birding activities in the park, contact SAN Parks Honorary Rangers.
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Wildlife Drives
Early morning, sunset and night Wildlife Drives depart from Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Mata Mata and Kalahari Tented Camp. These can be booked at the lodges, and are the only guided drives in the park. We recommend trying at least one of the wildlife drives when visiting the park. They take place in 20-seater open vehicles and you have a better chance of spotting animals, especially the big cats, when accompanied by a trained ranger. At least four people are needed for a tour to depart.
Tours that include wildlife drives can be organised from Upington.
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Songimvelo Game Reserve
This beautiful 56,000-hectare reserve sits in lowveld country south of Barberton, with high-altitude grassland areas on its eastern edge along the mountainous Swaziland border. There are no lions, but there are numerous other introduced species, including elephants, zebras, giraffes and various antelopes, and both walking and horse riding are popular. (Note that walking is limited to certain areas, and walkers must be accompanied by a guide.) Songimvelo is also home to some of the earth’s oldest rocks – perhaps dating to four billion years ago – and some interesting archaeological sites. You can stay overnight at Kromdraai Camp, with simple, self-catering, six-person wood…
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Lebombo Motorised Eco Trail
Kruger has several 4WD trails, the longest of which is the Lebombo Motorised Eco Trail, a rugged 500km, five-day route along the Kruger National Park’s eastern boundary, departing from Crocodile Bridge and ending at Pafuri. You’ll need to provide your own vehicle, food and drink (ie it’s completely self-catering). Only five vehicles are permitted at a time on the trail (plus the accompanying ranger’s vehicle). Book a place well in advance through central reservations.
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Northern Plains Adventure Trail
A 4WD trail through Kruger National Park, averaging about four hours, and costing around R460 per vehicle plus an around R100 refundable deposit. It's closed after rains, and can only be booked on the morning of the day that you want to drive, with a maximum of six vehicles per trail per day. There are no facilities (including ablutions) along any of the trails, so bring whatever you'll need, plus ideally a global positioning system (GPS) handset.
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Mananga Adventure Trail
A 4WD trail through Kruger National Park, averaging about four hours, and costing around R460 per vehicle plus an around R100 refundable deposit. It's closed after rains, and can only be booked on the morning of the day that you want to drive, with a maximum of six vehicles per trail per day. There are no facilities (including ablutions) along any of the trails, so bring whatever you'll need, plus ideally a global positioning system (GPS) handset.
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Madlabantu Adventure Trail
A 4WD trail through Kruger National Park, averaging about four hours, and costing around R460 per vehicle plus an around R100 refundable deposit. It's closed after rains, and can only be booked on the morning of the day that you want to drive, with a maximum of six vehicles per trail per day. There are no facilities (including ablutions) along any of the trails, so bring whatever you'll need, plus ideally a global positioning system (GPS) handset.
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Nonokani Adventure Trail
A 4WD trail through Kruger National Park, averaging about four hours, and costing around R460 per vehicle plus an around R100 refundable deposit. It's closed after rains, and can only be booked on the morning of the day that you want to drive, with a maximum of six vehicles per trail per day. There are no facilities (including ablutions) along any of the trails, so bring whatever you'll need, plus ideally a global positioning system (GPS) handset.
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Jock & Java
The newest hit on the Nelspruit scene at the time of research, this rambling ‘outback style’ pub and separate tearoom set in large grassy lawns is a ‘great place to bring the kids’ with ‘a girly dining room’ and a revolving cake trolley that’s ‘bad for the hips‘. The whimsical explosion of reds, creams and gingham, and tea served in dainty floral cups, impressed us too.
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Bush Walks
Guided morning and afternoon Bush Walksare possible at all the larger camps, including Satara, Skukuza, Lower Sabie and Pretoriuskop, and many smaller ones as well. These are highly popular and a fine way to experience Kruger at close range. All walks are accompanied by armed rangers. The morning walk – when you’ll have a better chance of seeing wildlife on the move – is particularly recommended.
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Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
Together with Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park, Kruger forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park – a vast area that ultimately will encompass 35,000 sq km. Gonarezhou connections are still in the future, but Kruger and Limpopo are linked via two fully functioning border posts.
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Wolhuter Trail
Based in southern Kruger near the Bushman Trail, in an area inhabited by lions and white rhinos, the name commemorates legendary father and son rangers, Harry and Henry Wolhuter. You can find out more about Harry's exploits, including the time when he wrestled a lion, at the Stevenson-Hamilton Museum in Skukuza rest camp.
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Metsimetsi Trail
Midway between Lower Sabie and Satara Rest Camps on the eastern border of the park, the terrain consists of undulating savannah, ravines and the rocky gorge of the N’waswitsontso River. Because the river flows year-round, the surrounding area is noted for its abundant wildlife, including elephants and black rhinos.
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Elephant Hall Museum
The Elephant Hall museum at Letaba Rest Camp focuses on the elephant and includes mounted tusks of the big bulls (Mafunyane, Dzombo, Shingwedzi and Shawu) that have died in the park. There are sections on poaching, the illegal ivory trade, geomorphology and biology, plus descriptions of elephant habits.
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Mountain-Bike Trails
There are currently three Mountain-Bike Trails, ranging from 12km to 24km. Full-day trails can also be arranged. All are based out of Olifants Rest Camp, and all are limited to a maximum of six participants per trail. Book at least several days in advance directly through the camp, or through central reservations.
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Napi Trail
Running through mixed bushveld, midway between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop Rest Camps, this area is home to white and black rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, buffaloes and elephants. The trail is known for its Big Five sightings and its excellent birding.
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Nyalaland Trail
In the far north of the park near the Luvuvhu River, in a region of strikingly diverse ecosystems, this trail is most memorable for its beauty, its wilderness ambience and its birding.
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Orange Restaurant
At the top of a hill, this place has ‘unbelievable views’ and ‘the most sophisticated food you’ll get in Nelspruit’. It’s true: think artful plates of guinea fowl, brazed ox cheek, escargot and a fine selection of cocktails.
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Sweni Trail
A highly rewarding trail near Satara rest camp, many lions are attracted to the herds of wildebeests, zebras and buffaloes here - all against a highly evocative backdrop of vast grassy plains.
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Bushman Trail
Near the Berg-en-dal Rest Camp in the southwestern corner of the park, this trail features treks to San rock paintings, plus the chance to see white rhinos, lions and large antelope herds.
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Golf Course
There’s a nine-hole golf course at Skukuza; bring your own clubs. Tee-off times (which must be booked in advance) are between 7am and 11am Sunday to Friday.
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Skyway Trails
Based at Gecko Lodge, this is ‘Africa’s longest Aerial Cable Trail’ – a fun three hours flying through the forest while clipped to a wire.
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Echo Caves
Echo Caves are off Rte 36, where Stone Age relics have been found. The caves get their name from dripstone formations that echo when tapped.
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