Ehlanzeni: Landscape, Wildlife and History

Ehlanzeni encompasses very different natural and cultural landscapes. When planning your trip, you can therefore start by considering which themes interest you most: bushveld and wildlife, striking landscapes, or geological and historical connections.

Canyon and protected areas

The Blyde River Canyon is 26 kilometres long and averages about 800 metres in depth. It is considered the world’s third-largest canyon and the largest “green canyon.” Its length, depth and this distinctive description convey different aspects of the landscape: its extent, its dimensions and its green character.

The protected areas also differ in the experiences described. Manyeleti Game Reserve offers a bushveld experience with the Big Five. The name Manyeleti means “place of the stars” in the local Shangaan language. At Manyeleti Nature Reserve, visitors can drive themselves on the 200-kilometre network of park roads. The road network in Andover Nature Reserve is suitable for all vehicles—a practical point of reference when comparing conditions at the different natural areas.

Kruger National Park lies within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Drives in the park last three to three and a half hours; visitors may see the sunrise over unspoilt bushveld. The duration is a useful guide for planning your time, while the possible sunrise experience adds its own distinctive touch. A drive of this length and self-driving on Manyeleti’s road network are different options, each of which may suit a different day’s itinerary.

Landscape and geological history

Barberton Nature Reserve covers 27,541 hectares. The Noord-Kaap River runs through the area in a broad valley, with a steep slope to the north and lower hills to the south. This description highlights the shape of the terrain; the area figure also gives an idea of the size of the protected area.

Part of the Makhonjwa Mountain World Heritage Site is located in the city of Mbombela. The Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela has a man-made rainforest. In the travel themes provided, Mbombela therefore combines geological heritage with a specially created landscape feature.

In the wider destination of Mpumalanga, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains are a World Heritage Site. They encompass 40 percent of the Barberton Greenstone Belt; their volcanic and sedimentary rocks are between 3.6 and 3.25 billion years old. This regional context complements the local view of Mbombela without attributing the entire World Heritage Site to Ehlanzeni.

Getting around and culture

The Nkomazi Municipality is connected to Eswatini by two provincial roads. Connections to Mozambique are provided by a railway line and the N4 national highway. The Malalane Gate to Kruger National Park is also in Nkomazi Municipality.

Another point of interest is Mthethomusha Nature Reserve. It is in the Ehlanzeni South region and is one of three Community Conservation Areas managed by the MTPA. Together with the World Heritage Site in Mbombela and the geological context of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, this place shows that the district’s cultural and protected-area themes take different forms.

If you are looking for hotels in Ehlanzeni, first decide which of these themes you want to prioritise on your trip. Whether you focus on the protected areas, the canyon, Mbombela’s geological heritage or the connections in Nkomazi, the differences described here offer practical points of reference for planning. Check each hotel’s details against the specific offer.

Discover more destinations: Manyeleti Camp, Kiepersol, Kruger Park, Blyde, White River, Bushbuckridge, Emoyeni, Mbombela, Alkmaar, Sabie Park, Schoemanskloof, Steenbok, Louw's Creek, Weimershoek, Kaapschehoop.

For the broader travel overview: Mpumalanga.