Nelspruit: Tourism, shopping and much more!
Mbombela, formerly known as Nelspruit, is located in the north-eastern part of South Africa about 110 km from the Mozambique border and approximately 330 km east of Johannesburg. It is the capital of the Mpumalanga province and was also one of the host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Mbombela has a humid subtropical climate, typical of the Mpumalanga province. Thanks to its altitude, summers are humid yet still cooler than one might expect. High rainfall occurs within the summer months, while dry winters have comparatively warm temperatures by day and cold ones by night.
The location of Mbombela has resulted in the city becoming an important stopover for tourists travelling to and from Kruger National Park and Mozambique. Thus, tourism plays a major role in the economy of the city, with numerous enticing options for locals and visitors. There’s the Sudwala Caves which formed about 240 million years ago (making them the oldest known caves in the world). Thanks to guided tours, one can easily see the famous mineral rock formations displayed as natural works of art.
For a more open-air option, consider The Lowveld Botanical Garden. Located just outside Mbombela, the garden (which is one of nine national botanical gardens in the country) comprises 160 hectares of 600 native plants, 2,000 imported ones, nearly 650 kinds of native tree species, and much more.
And for those who deem a good time as hopping from shop to shop to catch the latest product promotions, Mbombela presents a range of options...
Nelspruit: Map for shopping
No shop-till-you-drop excursion in Mbombela/ Nelspruit can be complete without a visit to Riverside Mall. Comprising 140+ stores, the mall offers a safe and convenient shopping destination not only to Mbombela residents, but also those visiting/shopping from neighbouring countries like Swaziland and Mozambique. Drop in at well-known stores like Cape Union Mart, Gadget Paradise and Steers, and see why Riverside Mall easily draws over 650,000 customers a month.
Over in West Acres awaits i’langa Mall with its 140+ shops. Designed as an enclosed, air-conditioned space, shoppers can enjoy a most pleasant interior climate throughout the year, whether they’re visiting one of the stores or grabbing a bite in the open-air, piazza-style food court. EXACT, Mugg & Bean, and Verimark are just some of the popular stores here awaiting your presence.
Another shopping option is the Crossing Centre, which is conveniently located right on the corner of the busy R40 and Samora Machell Drive. The Crossing Centre opened its doors back in 2003 with a mere 25 shops. 10+ years, 25 more shops, and an additional 3,500 m² later, the centre is regarded as one of the most fitting shopping locations in the city, offering up stores such as Adidas, Mica Home Warehouse, and Toyzone.
For the latest product discounts and store promotions in the Riverside Precinct area, consider The Grove Shopping Centre. Home to a rich collection of stores and eateries (such as Rochester, KFC, and Hi-Fi Corporation), shoppers also have 1,500 free parking bays to pick from!
Valley Hyper Centre is one of Mbombela’s newer shopping malls. Located on the corner of Samora Machel Drive (R104) and Du Preez Street, the mall possesses approximately 16 700m² of shopping potential, including well-loved national stores like PNA, Petzone, and ELMADRé Biltong & Braai.