Things to do near
White River
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Nelspruit (15 km from White River) The Lowveld National Botanical Garden is divided into eight sections with the Crocodile and Nels rivers surging through the riparian forest. The garden has a tropical African rainforest section, with approximately six hundred indigenous plant species.
The other seven sections are the bulb garden, the South African rainforest, dry bushveld, corkwoods and cabbage trees, cycads, baobabs and wild figs. The 158-hectare escarpment boasts rugged, rocky river scenery with Sour Lowveld Bushveld vegetation on either side of the river banks.
The garden is a floral haven with masses of clivia miniata, snow-white pear blossoms and kigelia africana flowers scattered all around. Visitors can find birds feeding off the nectar of the magnificent flowers that attract birds from dawn to dusk, or enjoy a picnic on the lawn.
Four By Four Trails
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Nelspruit (18.5 km from White River) Bushlane 4x4 Trail is a guided trail 23 km from Nelspruit. The trail is 14 km long and takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete. This trail can be done as a weekend adventure to reinforce skills learnt. The difficulty grading is 4 and passes around rocky outcrops. A high clearance 4x4 vehicle is required to go on this adventure. The exact coordinates are unknown so please phone to enquire.
Popular Attractions
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Nelspruit (18.5 km from White River) Go crawling down in the gold mines where gold is still visible in the walls. Experience the history of the old mine shaft deep in Komatieland Forest, Coetzeestroom. Enjoy the untamed beauty of the surrounding landscape with spectacular views.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Nelspruit (18.8 km from White River) The Mbombela Stadium is one of the new stadiums constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The elevated stadium can comfortably seat 40,000 people and has excellent views from all positions. Situated eight kilometres north of Nelspruit, it is the closest venue to the hugely popular Kruger National Park.
The bustling boom town of Nelspruit is the gateway to Kruger National Park. This busy commercial centre has excellent facilities, shopping malls and air links with Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Maputo.
Nelspruit is also a major stopover for motorists travelling on the N4 en route to Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Mozambique. It is situated really close to Malelane Gate and Crocodile Bridge Gate, entrances to the Kruger National Park.
Animal Parks
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Nelspruit (23.1 km from White River) If you have visited Chimpanzee Eden it will be an experience you will always talk about. It started about 2-3 year ago, and named " The Jane Goodall Intitude". Chimps get rescued from all over the world specially from Angola. They actully buy and spends thousands of Rands to get these poor chimps that gets beaten, locked up in very small cages and just neglected back to South Africa where they are kept in safe big/huge forest enclosures in Nelspruit. It takes them sometimes weeks to months to get just one chimpanzee out of the country where they went to rescue the chimp or chimps. They do wonderful work and each any every one that visit Nelspruit should support them by visiting the sanctuary. "COSY" a rescued chimp is my favourite. He was kept in a very small cage for many years and could hardly walk when rescued. Today he is the main attraction at the sanctury. Then we must not forget about Suzie a little female who were scared to death for a long time after she was rescued. Then there is also ABU and AMADUES whom everybody would like. It is an experience to listen to the guides about every chimps history. Cruelty is what each and everyone of them had to face before they got rescued. Please support Chimpanzee Eden.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Nelspruit (25.6 km from White River) Alkmaar Raceway is a world class Motocross venue hosting national and international events. The 2008 World Motocross Grand Prix took place here.
Four By Four Trails
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Nelspruit (26.8 km from White River) The Alkmaar 4x4 Trail is a medium challenging course where one can do some birdwatching and game viewing. Participants can partake in the obstacle course before heading out on the 7 km trail. After the obstacle course is completed, drivers receive a certificate – great techniques are learned.
The 7 km trail takes approximately 2 to 3 hours and is graded between 2 and 3. This self-drive trail requires a 4x4, high clearance, low range vehicle. The route is open all year round.
For accommodation and bookings contact Alkmaar Farmstay.
Big Event Venues
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Nelspruit (29 km from White River) This legendary bushveld concert and party venue is nestled in the hills just 10km south of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. Blue Moon is a unique, custom-built, multi-purpose function venue with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.As a music venue, Blue Moon is not genre specific. Local and international highlights include Seether, Dana Winner, Freshly Ground, Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Malaika, Mafikizolo and Steve Hofmeyr.As a functions venue, Blue Moon is unique and versatile, suitable for hosting corporate end-of-year functions, launches, award dinners, weddings and birthday parties. Blue Moon's multiple stages, decks, bars, kitchen, amphitheatre, chalets, bunkhouse, trees and creative lighting can be adapted to suit just about every need. The small team of three owner-operators is always keen to accommodate exciting and challenging ideas.
Animal Parks
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Hazyview (30.7 km from White River) Meet the Elephant Sanctuary’s gentle giants. During the “Trunk in Hand” programme, an experienced guide introduces visitors to the elephants. Guests are able to touch, feel, feed, interact and walk trunk-in-hand with the elephants.
After the interaction visitors can opt for a short elephant ride – a privilege historically reserved for kings! It is a truly awesome experience to ride these magnificent animals.
This amazing sanctuary provides a halfway house for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. The sanctuary’s vision is to release all their elephants into an environment where they can be more independent when they are mature.
The Elephant Sanctuary is conveniently situated 5 km from Hazyview and 10 km from Kruger National Park’s Phobeni Gate. Facilities include elevated wooden walkways, beautifully constructed decks overlooking the river and a curio shop. View www.elephantsanctuary.co.za for bookings and details of various experiences.
Popular Attractions
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Hazyview (31.8 km from White River) Sabie Valley Coffee has been producing Arabica coffee for over 25 years. The farm grows and produces coffee as well as provides coffee tours, showing the complete method of manufacturing coffee, including the roasting process and allowing a chance to taste the finished product at the Espresso Bar.
The Gift shop has the Sabie Valley Coffee for sale so that guests may purchase this great taste to take home with them.
Four By Four Trails
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Hazyview (31.8 km from White River) White Waters is known as a great 4x4 trail, which ramps up difficulty at varying degrees. The grading can be said to be between 2 and 5. There is plenty of fun to be had. The trail is well maintained and well marked. A really good experience if you're in the area. The exact GPS coordinates are unknown so please call beforehand.
Shopping Malls
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Hazyview (32.3 km from White River) Situated in the centre of Hazyview, the Rendezvous Tourist Centre is a small shopping centre with a convenient mix of amenities ranging from arts and crafts, to restaurants and pubs.
Shopping Malls
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Hazyview (32.8 km from White River) The modern Blue Haze Mall is the biggest shopping centre in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, offering 186 shops.
Key tenants include SuperSpar, Standard Bank, FNB, Pep Stores, Ackermans, Jet, Ellerines, Boxer, Pick n Pay, Edgars, Woolworths, Mr. Price, Foschini, Clicks, ABSA, Nedbank, Truworthsa and KFC.
Need to know?
+27 (0) 82 883 3305
edwaleni@mweb.co.za
www.twincity.co.za
Golf Courses
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Hazyview (32.8 km from White River) The Sabie River golf course near Nelspruit and White River is one of only four 18-hole golf courses Mpumalanga. Water hazards are plentiful so it is wise to bring plenty of balls.
Numerous hippos and crocodiles are permanent residents in the course's main dam (next to the 14th and 15th holes). The course is very popular during winter and spring from July to October. Bring your binoculars if you’re a keen birder.
Bars
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Hazyview (33.1 km from White River) When the summer heat of the Lowveld gets intense, Perry's Bridge Brewery is an awesome spot to visit to quench your thirst.
With their own selection of beers on tap as well as a good selection of imports, it is the ideal place to relax with friends.
For non-beer drinkers there is a range of wines and also a mouth-watering menu.