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Nelspruit City
Mpumalanga South Africa
Big Aspirations for Big Five Gateway
Named after the Nels River that runs through it, Nelspruit’s
modern layout and wide streets do justice to the fast developing
contemporary culture that the city accommodates.
Here, all roads lead to a host of tourist attractions, including
Kruger National Park (only 40 minutes drive away) a crocodile
farm, elephant sanctuary, the oldest caves on earth and a remarkable
botanical garden.
It is also home to two airports - Nelspruit Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga
International Airport, making the nearby Kruger National Park even
more accessible.
And it’s on route to Mozambique with all
it's beaches and balmy delights.
2010 Dreams Come True
Nelspruit will soon boast a new world-class stadium for the 2010
FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Due for completion in 2009, Mbombela Stadium will have seating capacity
of 40,000 and bring a host of economic and employment benefits to
the city, and its many football-loving citizens.
Ancient Caves to Dinosaurs
There are also spectacular views below the surface. A short drive
from Nelspruit, the Sudwala Caves, at 6000 million years old is
believed to be the oldest in the world. The crystal tour is a must,
as is a visit to the Sudwala dinosaur park that recreates the living
world as it was when the caves were formed.
Laid Back Entertainment
Rated one of Mpumalanga's top courses, Nelspruit Golf Club is scenic
and challenging, with a giant fig tree between the 6th and 18th
fairways to further test your game.
Then there is the city’s abundant nightlife, including Emnotweni
Casino with its vibrant entertainment complex.
Flower Power
Travellers can also recharge in Nelspruit’s exquisite surrounds.
For this the area is jam-packed with accommodation options ranging
from caravan parks, tent camps and backpacker lodges to hotels,
guesthouses, private reserves and luxury lodges.
Those who love the plant world are especially well catered for,
meaning floraphiles can have as much fun as those who are thrilled
by the great diversity of fauna in the region.
The spiritual author, Caitlin Matthews, said people keep their sense
of proportion by regularly visiting the natural world. For this,
the botanical garden is a great place to get in touch with the natural
environment.
Chimpanzee Eden
Neatly tucked in on the fringes of the city is South Africa’s
only Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Institute.
Housed within the Umhloti Lodge estate on the road to Barberton
is the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which opened
its gates for these abused primates nearly 2 years ago.
Because Chimps share 95% of human DNA, it is not hard to believe
that some of the battered animals rescued by the institute were
full-blown alcoholics when they first arrived; having been used
as depraved amusement in bars and restaurants.
But now they are on the road to recovery and visitors can share
an inspirational moment with their closest relatives.
For 20 years Philip Cronje was a curator at the Johannesburg Zoo,
where the chimps were kept in the interim before JGI officially
opened.
When they moved to their present location, he came too. But it was
not plain sailing as there is a heated debate over this haven, with
some arguing that it is not appropriate as chimps are not indigenous
to South Africa. Phillip, however, never backed down as his heart
was set on building on the legacy of Jane Goodall in these exquisite
valleys and hills.
Rottcher Wineries
A few kilometres from the botanical gardens, on the road to nearby White
River is Rottcher Wineries with its range of delicious orange wines.
White River offers an array of wonderment, which is why it is regarded
as the heart of Nelspruit’s arts and culture.
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