Travelling around Mpumalanga is made much easier by using one of our many Mpumalanga Highland tours. If you prefer to travel on your own you will find this Mpumalanga Highlands Transportation Guide very useful. Alternatively if you are looking for information regarding transportation in South Africa you can refer our South Africa transportation Guide.
Mpumalanga Highlands Transportation Guide
Getting to Mpumalanga Highlands
By Air
You can reach Mpumalanga by air using the national carrier, South African Airways, or other commercial airlines that land at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). Local travel agents can get you the best deal.
The KMIA started operations from September 30, 2002. It connects all the important South African cities directly with the Kruger National Park and Nelspruit, the provincial capital. It also connects the country with several international destinations.
The smaller cities and game reserves also have domestic airports from where you can take chartered flights. The airports have interesting thatched malls that have all the modern amenities - ticket booking, air charter, curio and theme shopping stores, restaurants, and car rental.
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By Train
Train services are not well developed in this region. They generally run at night and are cheap but very crowded. They run daily between Mozambique, Gauteng and the provincial capital Nelspruit. If you consider this form of transport it is better to book tickets well in advance and opt the first or second-class compartments for privacy.
You can find luxury trains here in South Africa. They ply between Mpumalanga's game reserves and places like KwaZulu Natal, the Cape, Gauteng, Mozambique and Swaziland. These trains mostly depart from Cape Town or Johannesburg and give you a view of the best wildlife reserves from the comfort of five-star suites and glass-walled lounges. Try the shorter day trips on steam trains to fascinating places like Machadodorp and Waterval Onder. Rovos Rail and the Blue Train, the two most luxurious trains in this country, conduct short excursions to historical places on steam trains.
By Bus
Regular bus services connect all major cities. Gauteng, Mozambique and Swaziland are all well connected to the provincial capital, Nelspruit and also to other cities like Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort, Middelburg, Machadodorp, Ermelo and Witbank.
Travelling to the Mpumalanga highlands you can take the ‘express' trip of five hours to cover the distance between Nelspruit and Johannesburg in 40-seater luxury and air-conditioned coaches. To reach the private game reserves, Kruger National Park or the smaller towns the charter coach services are convenient.
BazBus, the only backpacker bus in this country, makes regular halts at Nelspruit, Witbank, Middelburg and other important cities.
By Road
The road conditions in this province are good with the lovely landscape as an added attraction. From Pretoria use the N4 to reach Witbank and beyond, from Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport use N12 to reach Witbank.
On reaching Belfast, if you choose the northern route, it will take you through Dullstroom to Mashishing and further either via R37 or R36, which heads towards Sabie and the lovely Long Tom Pass, or the route to Pilgrim's Rest via R540. The second route from Belfast is to continue on the N4 and reach Nelspruit through the Elands River Valley.
For those visiting Ermelo and destinations south, use the N17 to reach Swaziland through Secunda via Ermelo. You can also connect with the N2 to go to KwaZulu-Natal and Piet Retief.
Road Essentials
Countries like Mozambique and Swaziland border Mpumalanga and the border posts are open daily. To enter these countries you need visas and passports, and the requirements differ according to nationality, so check with your consulate before departure.
The province is well connected by road and you will find service stations equipped with necessary travel requirements at regular intervals. However, do carry a map to find the best routes and the location of the petrol pumps.
Estimate your fuel requirements in Kruger National Park not by the distance travelled but by the time taken due to the frequent stops and speed limits.
Driving at night can be hazardous due to wild animals straying onto the road and causing accidents. They have the right of way. Accidents also occur due to dust, smoke and heavy mist caused by natural grass fires or forest fires. These are a hazard in the dry season and so take care to light fires only in designated areas.
Getting around Mpumalanga Highlands
Minibus Taxi
Minibus taxis are small 18-seater commuter buses that travel to remote corners in the province. They are cheap, fast and extremely popular but most of them are old and overcrowded and not in the best condition. However, they pick up and drop you off wherever you want them to.These taxis are a good way to interact with the locals as they are packed with them.
Metered Taxi
You can use the metered taxis as local transport within the city, as they are not allowed to run between cities. Almost all major cities have them as a means of public transport. They are safe, fast and quite convenient but are considerably more expensive than the others.
Car Hire
The important city centres and prominent airports in this province have offices of the major national and international car hire companies. You can choose vehicles of any size and type as per your budget; they are all insured against accident and theft. Many of these companies are even prepared to deliver and fetch vehicles to your place of accommodation no matter how remote it might be.
Hitch Hiking
It is not advisable to go hitchhiking here. Instead, it would be good to use the existing lift clubs. These clubs offer lifts between cities for a small price as compared to commercial operators and this is ideal for backpackers and budget travellers.
