Nelspruit is the capital of the province of Mpumalanga. The city lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, 330km (205.06 miles) east of Johannesburg in the hot and humid Lowveld. The Malelane Gate, southern access to the Kruger Park, is about 60km (37.28 miles) away. Nelspruit is the trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing area of Mpumalanga. Fertile soils and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the production of citrus and tropical fruits, mainly mango, banana, avocado, macadamia and pecan nuts.

Nelspruit is beautiful in spring and summer, when innumerable bougainvilleas, bauhinias and other blooming plants transform the town into a sea of colour. The climate and soil are such that this heavenly subtropical garden region grows about one-third of the country’s citrus fruits as well as papaws, litchis, avocado pears, mangoes, bananas, pecan nuts, tobacco and coffee. Roads are lined with lilac jacaranda, purple bourganvillia and other flamboyant shrubs. The town itself is quite large but still very pleasant and forms a road and rail link from Pretoria and Johannesburg to Maputo in Mozambique to the south-east, and the Panorama Route and Kruger National Park to the north and north-east.

History

Nelspruit was previously part of Transvaal province and consequently also part of the Boer Republic before the Anglo-Boer war of 1899. The area also used to be known as the Eastern Transvaal.

When the then Boer Republic president Paul Kruger went into exile the state mint's gold went with him to stop the advancing British from ceasing it.

Commonly referred to as 'the Kruger millions,' the entire contents of the treasury was off loaded in Nelspruit and carried into the bushes never to be seen again. The search for the treasure continues to this day.

The history of this beautiful, fast growing metropolitan area dates back to 1892. It all started off with the construction of a station up the Crocodile river valley, built on a farm owned by the Nel family.

The place Nelspruit (Nels stream) attracted traders and farmers in high profile because of the natural richness of the soil, adequate water for irrigation and a level valley floor.

Scenic Driving Routes

Places to visit in and around Nelspruit and approximate distance from HIPPO WATER FRONT.

	Nelspruit City Centre	10 km
	Lowveld Botanical Gardens	15 km
	Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport	35 km
	Riverside Mall and Casino	15 km
	Sudwala Caves	25 km
	Kaapsehoop Town (wild horses)	35 km
	Kruger National Park	60 – 100 km
	Sabie (waterfalls)	60 km
	Graskop	95 km
	Long Tom Pass	70 km
	Pilgrims Rest	90 km
	Gods Window	100 km
	Bourkes Luck Potholes	120 km
	Blyde River Canyon	150 km
	Maputo (Mozambique)	190 km
	Swaziland	100 – 150 km