Mpmumalanga Province in South Africa The Best Parts

Located in the northeast of the country, Mpumalanga is home to close to three million people along with the most famous safari park in the world; the Kruger National Park. However, there is always much more to Mpumalanga than the Kruger National Park.

The province is truly a striking landlocked province offering magnificent panoramas and its fair share of wildlife. This is the heart of South Africa’s safari territory and is part of the Lowveld and Highveld.

Lowveld is the region below 1,000 m above sea level. It is basically open woodland interspersed with tall grass and abundant game. Both broadleaf and spiny trees are present in this low-lying subtropical environment.

In the far north of Mpumalanga, the legendary Baobab trees reign above the sky line. Long, slow-moving rivers reduce to isolated ponds in the dry season, which is certainly when wildlife gathers, making it a perfect time for game viewing.

The Highveld is a bit cooler, with rolling grasslands, wild plants and lots of pine plantations. Trout fishing is excellent from the dams and streams near Dullstroom and Lydenberg.

Mpumalanaga’s number one destination is undoubtedly the Kruger. This vast desert comprises of an area as large as Israel and is also legendary for having the largest variety of wildlife varieties in Africa; 140 species of mammals, 500 types of birds and nearly 300 species of trees. Camping spots and game lodges are available.

Adjacent to the park boundaries are quite a few private game reserves offering 5-star safaris. These hostels provide fantastic accommodation and tend to be much less crowded. Their safari trucks may also go off-road something that is not allowed within the national parks.

The province is also home to a section of the mighty UKlahlamba Mountains and right here you can see the Blyde River Canyon. It is the third largest canyon in the world. The landscapes are impressive with the viewpoint of ‘Gods Window’ being the best place to contemplate this spectacular panorama.

Mpumalanga is probably a place for those seeking the tremendous outdoors with fabulous safaris, stunning scenery, not to mention trekking, biking and fishing.