Places to Stay in Nelspruit

One of the 2010 World Cup’s minor venues, Nelspruit plays host to 4 group games only and plays no part in the latter stages of the competition, so if you’re here, it’s likely to be for one game only. Although Nelspruit itself is a pleasant enough place, with attractive botanical gardens, shopping malls and even a casino, if you’re here for a few days you’ll want to be jumping in a car to investigate the surrounding area. That’s because Nelspruit is ideally located for exploring the most game-rich part of Kruger National Park, driving along the precipitous drops of the Bylde River Canyon (the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon and Fish River Canyon in Namibia for you canyon anoraks) or venturing across the border to Swaziland or even up into Mozambique.

View Larger Map

Stadium

Mbombela Stadium (capacity: 46,000)

World Cup Games in Nelspruit

Wednesday, 16th June 1.30pm, Game 15 - Group H, Honduras vs. Chile

Sunday, 20th June 4pm, Game 28 - Group F, Italy vs. New Zealand

Wednesday, 23rd June 8.30pm, Game 40 - Group D, Australia vs. Serbia

Friday, 25th June 4pm, Game 46 - Group G, Korea DPR vs. Cote d'Ivoire

Weather in Nelspruit

It’s a pity you probably won’t be spending much time here as the climate in this part of the country is decidedly pleasant at this time of year. The daytime temperatures are likely to climb into the early 20s although they’re likely to dip to around 5 or 6 °C at night. Winter also sees very little rainfall so if you are venturing into nearby Kruger, your chances of spotting game are higher as they’ll congregate around the remaining waterholes.

Things to do in Nelspruit

World famous Kruger National Park (6am to 5.30pm, R160) is home to the Big Five - Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhino. Covering an impressive 2 million acres, Kruger is a must for one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa. There are so many animals to see, you are virtually guaranteed to spot at least one of the Big 5 or a rare species. For those interested in birds (of the feathered variety), there are over 500 species including the 'Birding Big Six'. If you fancy a bit of culture, head to the historic archaeological sites of Masorini and Thulamela and keep your eyes peeled for bushman rock paintings. Visit for the day or spend a few days on safari as there is plenty of accommodation in the park ranging from camp sites to permanent tents right up to luxury lodges.

Anyone can go and see the 1st and 2nd largest canyons in the world but it takes a a real canyon connoisseur to visit the 3rd largest, the Blyde River Canyon, the cliffs of which tower up to 800m above the river below. Waterfalls plummeting down the cliff walls, rock formations such as 'The Pinnacle', 'Gods Window' and 'Bourke's Luck Potholes' and awesome viewpoints such as the 'The Three Rondavels' will reward the visitor. You can either hire a car and drive along the aptly named 'Panorama Route' or become more intimately acquainted by embarking on one of the hiking trails available.

Your are in the Lowveld so might as well getting yourself familiar with the local flora by visiting the Lowveld Botanical Gardens (8am to 5pm, R17). Two Rivers, the Nels and the rather alarmingly named Crocodile, define the park, the former entering via a cascading waterfall, the latter through a rocky, potholed canyon. Despite their equally dramatic entrances, they combine to form a beautiful, serene pool. Evergreen shrubs line the banks of both rivers, so a visit in the Winter is just as good as one in the Summer, and during the drier Winter months, the park hosts open air concerts.

And finally, if you want to add 'visit to the oldest caves in the world' to your South African ticklist, then hire a car and drive out 25km to the 200 million year old Sudwala Caves (8.30am to 4.30pm, tours from R50). The standard tour takes you 600m into the caves, through caverns such as the huge 'Amphitheatre' and past stalagmites and stalagtites applenty but we'd recommend the Crystal Tour. OK, it's more expensive and involves crawling through wet caverns but this 2km jaunt takes you to the outskirts of the crystal chamber with its sparkling array of aragonite crystals.

Nightlife in Nelspruit

For a cultural evening, head for the Barnyard Theatre, in the Casterbridge Centre on the outskirts of the town, which showcases performances by some of the country's best musicians, dancers, comedians and actors. In fact, for beer lovers, Casterbridge is a good place to head as it has its own micro brewery.

The obvious nighlife option is the Emnotweni Casino Resort (emnotweni is zulu slang for 'where the money is at' apparently). For the slotties, over 300 machines are available and for more serious gamblers there are 10 tables including blackjack and roulette. You can also grab a bite to eat there, and it adjoins the Riverside Mall so you could combine an early evening movie with late night gambling.