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.

THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MPUMALANGA

FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET

• A Spanish themed hotel brought to you by the ever-growing boutique chain aha Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort provides family and budget-friendly accommodation within under an hour’s drive of the southern reaches of the Kruger Park.
• Luxurious lodgings with a tiny price tag, Country Boutique Hotel is a modern, boutique stay under fifty minutes drive from the Kruger Park.
• Boasting far-reaching views and individual cottage accommodation, White House Lodge is a well-priced stay, ideal for those wanting to ‘get away from it all’.
• Beautifully designed rooms, superb dining, not to mention a long list of spa treatments – it’s difficult to fathom the price tag at Unembeza Boutique Hotel & Spa. But who’s complaining!
• Thatched roof, roll-top baths, and just ten minutes from the Kruger Park’s Phabeni gate, Rissington Innis excellent value, starting from under £100 a night.
• With just eight rooms, the ever opulent Belgrace Boutique Hotel provides guests with an indulgent stay (four-poster beds, in-room Jacuzzis and fireplaces) at an enviable price tag.
• You'd be hard-pressed to find a better value stay this close to the Kruger Park than Sabie River Bush Lodge. Great for families, easy on the pocket, this 18-room hotel does not disappoint.
• The ever inviting Hamilton Parks County Lodge, comprised of 14 thatched suites, provides a warm welcome to travellers of all ages, at a truly inviting price. Boasts good sized rooms, characterful bathrooms, plus manicured gardens and a charming outdoor pool.

FOR SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL

• The all-inclusive Lukimbi Safari Lodge offers an indulgent stay within easy reach of both the Kruger Park and an 18-hole golf-course – depending on which you fancy! Restaurant quality dining, spa treatments, plus lavish suites with epic views, it’s an unforgettable experience.
• Dating back to the 1950s, with conservation at the heart of what it’s about since then, King’s Camp provides guests with a very colonial stay. Guests can even get involved with animal tracking and rhino chipping.
• As luxurious as it is wild Tanda Tula provides guests with an authentic stay amidst nature, without compromising on the luxury. Stylish tents are very private (perfect for couples) and surrounded by nothing but wildlife. Alfresco, candlelit dining make it an unforgettable stay.

For families

• Eight private lodges with pools and relaxed indoor-outdoor living, Elephant Point allows families travelling together enough room to spread out and enjoy themselves, amidst the African savannah.
• Child and budget-friendly, and within easy reach of the Kruger Park, Kruger Park Lodge ticks all the boxes.
• Laidback and budget-friendly, Hazy View Cabanas provides individual cottage accommodation geared towards families, with plenty of activities on offer. It’s just a short drive from the Kruger Park.
• More modern and more luxurious than its counterpart, aha Bongani Mountain Lodge is every bit as characterful. A great family stay, within easy reach of the Kruger Park.
• With private cottage accommodation, acres on which to explore, themed dinner nights and a family of elephants to befriend, Hippo Hollow Country Estate is the perfect family stay.
• Running since 1983 Idube Game Reserve demonstrates that a warm welcome and friendly service never goes out of style. Popular amongst families it’s a very comfortable stay.
• Very cool modern-meets-colonial interiors, Nkorho Bush Lodge, located in the heard of the private Sabi Sands Game Reserve ensure excellent wildlife spotting and a very comfortable stay for the entire family.
• An intimate, all-inclusive stay, with just six-rooms Senalala Luxury Safari Camp is perfect for families or larger groups exploring the Kruger Park.
• Nestled amidst 50,000 hectares of private bushland, with just 11 cottages and enough activities to tire even the most active children, Inyati Game Lodge is a great stay for all ages.

For foodies

• Fine dining and the African ‘bushveld’ might not be an obvious partnership, but at Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve they have gone above and beyond to ensure that even the gourmand is catered for at their haute cuisine stay.

Sleep under the stars

• Fancy sleeping under the stars? Well, at Klaserie Sands you can. Not a sleeping bag in sight, spend the night in a four-poster bed with the savannah to serenade you. An unforgettable experience.
• Possibly the most romantic room in all of Mpumalanga, Lion Sands Game Reserve’s treehouse suite is perfect for couples looking for the unforgettable al fresco stay. Sleep amidst the canopies at one of South Africa’s most luxurious reserves.

For a romantic break

• Beautifully designed, Simbambili Game Lodge’s sprawling suites, complete with enormous tubs and the best, private pools, are made for lingering. Spa treatments and superb dining (in-room and alfresco) complete the package.
• Antique leather suitcases, white linen table cloths, and paraffin lamps: Hamiltons Tented Camp is an authentic colonial camping experience one doesn’t often come across – an ‘adults only’ camping trip!
• Family-lodge turnd five-star stay, Motswari Private Game Reserve is a favourite with couples. Superb dining plus interiors by David Strauss and artwork by Marion Geiger-Orengo, it's an interior lover's dream.

For bags of character

• There’s nothing quite like Imbali Safari Lodge. Classic interiors and colonial artwork, are juxtaposed with modern luxuries and private plunge pools. Indulgent dining is the height of opulence.
• Dating back to the 1950s, Elephant Plains Game Lodge is one of the oldest family-run properties in the area – they must have been doing something right to keep it going for all these years!
• Colourful, characterful, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge imbibes the spirit of Africa with its vibrant colour palettes and decorative artwork. All ages will love spending the night in one of their traditional thatched cottages.

Travel Information

• The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (known as KMI Airport) is the gateway to the iconic game reserve, the Kruger National Park.
• With temperatures ranging from as low as 8º C in the winter, to 26º C in the summer, Mpumalanga averages pleasant temperatures within the low to mid-twenties. Experiencing summer rain, the best time to visit is in the drier, winter months.
• Visit between May and September for the coolest weather and the best wildlife spottings.
• Public transport in this area is all but non-existant, and it is best advised that you book transfers through your hotel, or visit our online partners, Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Why not contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Mpumalanga