- Barberton
Once a gold mining town, Barberton has a colourful past.
- Ermelo
A good stopover between Zululand and the interior.
- 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.”
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…
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 are an infinite number of miracles to savour…
Yummy, yummy, yummy.
The quiet graciousness of a lone antelope nibbling on a new shoot, the shuddering flick of a rump getting rid of flies, the strangeness of a giraffe, the gentle eyes that know no harm.
Spend a few days here and I can’t fathom mankind. Or is that mancruel, womankind?
The Kruger National Park is undoubtedly the jewel in the Crown of South Africa.
Take time for the small things, the brilliance of a lilac-breasted roller, the grace of an impala, the silence of an elephant, the stretch of a giraffe, the mass of a buffalo, the trot of a warthog, the magnificence of a kudu, the life support of water, the sounds, the silence.
Sightings of the Big Five will etch themselves onto your brain. But be warned, there’s a Big Six. The dreaded Mozzie. Take precautions, however, and you’ll be fine.
What to do
- Acacia Kruger Adventure Holidays
4 departures a week to the Kruger mean you can fit this one in for sure.
- Livingstone Trails
Years of experience and 24 trips that last from 3 to 16 days.
- Viva Safaris
Sleep in a tree house surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Kruger Inn Backpackers is a community inside a nature reserve, on the border of the Kruger National Park.
(Marloth Park,Mpumalanga)
Wild Spirit backpackers lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay, is a wonderful place to stay at.
(Nature's Valley,Garden Route)
Horse trails in the eastern Free State.
(Clarens Eastern Free State,Free State)
A quiet beach with warm water year round, thumping surf and safe swimming is just a 2 minute walk away. Most mornings see dolphins cruising around the point.
(Umzumbe KZN,South Coast)
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding offers Backpackers the unique experience of flying off Table Mountain
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A backpackers lodge in Swaziland that is home to an adventurous ancestral spirit and other adventurous types of earthly people.
(Lobamba,Swaziland)
Established in 1994, Bundu has now joined Intrepid Travel and offers safaris and tours worldwide.
(Various,)
The ultimate thrill for Backpackers. Mossel Bay offers the highest skydives in South Africa.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
A smaller lodge with a friendly owner - all rooms ensuite
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
The Tube ’n Axe is just 300m away from the Stormsriver Adventure Centre - this is Wild Adventure Frontier Territory.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
