- Barberton
Once a gold mining town, Barberton has a colourful past.
- The Kruger National Park
It’s world famous. Maybe even more famous than Mr Mandela. Spend some time in the bush with animals. Get up at sunrise, drive slowly and discover nature the way God meant it to be. Whether it’s a gecko sunbathing on a rock or a lion sleeping belly-up in the sun, there is an infinite world of moments to savour…
- Nelspruit
This is the capital of Mpumalanga and the centre of an extremely fertile and beautiful agricultural region.
- Komatipoort
This town marks the border between Mozambique and South Africa.
- Hazyview
Lying on the banks of the Sabie River, Hazyview is only 16km from the Numbi Gate to the Kruger National Park, so it makes an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area.
- Sabie Mpumalanga
Sabie is close to the Sudwala and Echo Caves, God's Window, Graskop, Borkes Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, a reptile park, forest museum and Pilgrim's Rest.
- Graskop
This scenic little town lies in the heart of Mpumalanga's natural wonders and makes a good base from which to explore the area.
- White River
This is one of the entry towns for the Kruger National Park.
- Kaapsehoop
Wild horses roam here.
- Pilgrim's Rest
Don’t leave the area without dropping into Pilgrim's Rest. There are no backpackers here though.
- Hectorspruit
Situated on Southern Side of Kruger Park
- Waterval Boven
This town marks one of the points where the mountains of the escarpment descend into the Lowveld. The Eland River Falls drop 228m into the valley below – hence the name Waterval Onder, which means ”under the waterfall.”
Ermelo
A good stopover between Zululand and the interior.
There's lots to see in Ermelo
Bursting at its seams with fishing holes, Ermelo has 277 lakes of varying sizes within a 20km radius of the town (which explains why the area ranks highly amongst frogging fans). Other big crowd pullers are the flamingos and flowers.
More mainstream attractions include Stone Age corbelled huts, the source of the Vaal River, Anglo Boer war sites and Goliath’s footprint.
Places to Stay
- Gateway Backpackers
A good overnight stop.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Ex Sleek Hostel, they've re-created the whole place from the ground up and are huge fans of live music (it's all soundproofed, don’t fret).
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
A perfectly peaceful position - with mountains all around.
(Kestell,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
This Johannesburg Backpackers is set on a large property.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Shonalanga lodge in St Lucia is in the centre of town and more of a lodge than a backpackers.
(St Lucia,Zululand)
The most perfect of settings for any of the Dakensberg Backpackers and community run.
(Matatiele,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Help research the movements of lions in the Addo.
(Addo Elephant Park,Sunshine Coast)
Swing into this jungle-side playground
(Hoedspruit,Limpopo)
This Johannesburg backpackers is close to Malls and the CBD. They offer a free airport pick-up.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
“Please come and experience what life is like for my brothers and sisters in the township and I will describe to you what has changed in recent years since democracy.”
(Scarborough and Kommetjie,Cape Town)
A Johannesburg backpackers which is where it’s rumoured that Ghandi stayed here 100 years ago.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
