Introducing Nelspruit & Surrounds

The city of Nelspruit is located situated in northeastern part of South Africa in the Mpumalanga Province.   In October 2009, Nelspruit was officially renamed Mbombela by the South African government which is the same name as the local municipality of which it is part. Nelspruit or Mbombela is the capital of the Mpumalanga province.  South Africa's  Mpumalanga province used to be the Eastern Transvaal.  Set on the Crocodile River, Nelspruit / Mbombela lies about 100 kilometres west of Mozambique and 330 kilometres east of Johannesburg.

Manufacture and agricultural in Nelspruit / Mbombela

The surrounding area of Nelspruit is well known for its orange farms.  Nelspruit / Mbombela in Mpumalanga is a key manufacturing and agricultural centre for this region of South Africa.  The main industries found here comprise the canning of citrus fruit, paper production, furniture manufacture and timbermills.  Fertile soils and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the growing of citrus and tropical fruits which include mango, banana, avocado and Macadamia nuts.

Nelspruit / Mbombela is a popular stopover point for tourists travelling to the Kruger National Park and to Mozambique.  Many people from Mozambique and Swaziland travel to Nelspruit / Mbombela for their monthly grocery shopping.  Nelspruit / Mbombela is home to the Emnotweni Casino which is located on the way to White River.  The Government Research Institute for Citrus and Subtropical Fruits and the Lowveld Botanical Gardens are situated in Nelspruit / Mbombela.

History of Nelspruit / Mbombela in Mpumalanga

Nelspruit was founded in 1905 by three brothers of the Nel family who grazed their cattle in this region of Mpumalanga during the winter months ( June to October). During the Boer War, Nelspruit was, for a short time period, the seat of government for the South African Republic.  The leadership of the South African Republic included Paul Kruger.

Transportation and infrastucture of Nelspruit / Mbombela

Nelspruit / Mbombela has two airports which are the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport referred to KMIA which is located in the north east of the city, and the general aviation Nelspruit Airport which can be found in the south west.  The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is used for scheduled flights to Johannesburg and, less frequently, to Cape Town and other cities. The Nelspruit Airport to the South West on the Kaapschehoop road is mainly used by private planes and charter companies. It has its own tower but is controlled from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).