Although Mbombela is quite a strategically important town, it is still very much an overlooked place. Because of its location, the town isn’t often featured on holiday lists or even in the news, and as such the town remains one of South Africa’s “hidden gem” kind of destinations.
Situated in the beautiful Lowveld region, Mbombela is a city with a small-town feel. While the city is marketed as a stop between majestic destinations like the Kruger National Park and Mozambique, there is actually a lot to love and explore when you choose to make the city at the very least a part of your holiday experience. We might not be the sort of city that is a hub of activity, like Johannesburg or Durban, but we are a special place, for different reasons.
At Mbombela Lodge, we’ve seen numerous guests come to the city for the very first time and just fall in love. So much so that the city becomes their go-to holiday destination, or the place that they end up calling home. Because we are in such a unique and privileged position to meet so many people who are just exploring the Lowveld for the first time, we want to share some helpful and perhaps interesting things about Mbombela that you might not have known.
- Mbombela is also called Nelspruit
Although the town’s name changed to Mbombela a couple of years ago, the locals, including the local media, all still call the city Nelspruit. If you see the town’s name changing from Mbombela to Nelspruit and vice versa, just know that one and the same place is being referred to.
- Mbombela still has small town vibes
It only takes between 10 to 20 minutes to get from one side of the town to the other, even during peak time traffic. Unlike the bigger cities, this fact allows the town to hold onto its small town feel. It also means that if you are spending your holiday here you can expect to have a very laidback break.
- Mbombela is still close to nature
A lot of the appeal of the city is that it is close to nature. Not only are a lot of the restaurants and things to do built close to nature, but many of the best things to do are also outdoors. Mbombela residents love to spend their down time outside, and it helps that much of our weather is clear skied, warm and simply beautiful all year round. While the cities have their big and busy malls, Mbombela has its exquisite natural surrounds.
- Mbombela has a brilliant local economy
Although the city is very much on the move, and although it is home to most of the nation’s franchises, the economy is still very much one that has been built on small local businesses and one of the best places to see these businesses is to visit a local farmer’s market.
- Mbombela is peaceful
There is some wild nightlife, but the noise ebbs and flows. For the most part, the city stays quiet and rather peaceful, especially if you are staying on the outskirts of the town.
