A wild and rugged province in eastern South Africa, Mpumalanga, is the Zulu name for "the place where the sun rises". Bordering Swaziland and Mozambique, it has a diverse culture, with truly wild terrains and excellent wildlife spotting. One of South Africa’s smallest provinces, Mpumalanga packs a lot in. A land of mountainous landscapes that transform into luscious valleys; arid bushveld interrupted only by the odd sleepy town, Mpumalanga’s natural attractions make it a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts. From rock climbing to cliff jumping; rafting to bouldering; horse riding or hiking there is no shortage of adrenaline-fuelled ways to explore this truly wild province. Our selection of the best places to stay in Mpumalanga showcase five-star luxury lodges, as well as budget-friendly accommodation, ensuring that there is something for every traveller.
Home to the world’s third-largest canyon, the enormous Blyde River Canyon, which carves its way through the Drakensberg mountains, it is one of South Africa’s most iconic sights, and one of those places that photography simply does not do justice. A hike up to its highest point leaves visitors breathless in every sense of the word. It has to be seen to be believed.
Mpumalanga is also prime ‘Big 5’ territory. To the east it borders the southern half of the Kruger Park, as well as the prominent Sabi Sands private game reserve, both boasting an excellent selection of lodges and places to stay, from family-friendly to all-out luxury.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
- Take a drive or a hike up the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third-largest canyon, a truly spectacular sight to behold and Mpumalanga’s most famous attraction.
- Crawl or scramble your way through the Sudwala Caves.
- In 2008, Haute Cuisine route, from Mbombela to Hazyview, was formed. Covering the four top fine dining restaurants the area including Summerfields Kitchen, Oliver’s Restaurant, Orange, and Salt it’s a great route to follow for those exploring by car.
- From mountain biking, quad biking, bungee jumping, and river rafting there is no shortage of outdoor pursuits to entertain travellers to this truly wild corner of Africa.
- Head out in search of ‘The Big 5’. All of South Africa’s most famous animals can be found in Mpumalanga, with the Kruger Park and the Sabi Sands being the most prominent reserve in the province.
Our selection of the best places to stay in Mpumalanga showcase the best that this area of pristine beauty and uninterrupted nature has to offer.
