Fruit put Nelspruit on the map in the 1890s, and fruit has always played a vital role in the town's development. Nelspruit is the trading centre for the surrounding area of Mpumalanga. Fertile soils and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the production of citrus and tropical fruits, mainly mango, banana, avocado, macadamia and pecan nuts.

Nelspruit is very pretty in spring and summer, when innumerable bougainvilleas, bauhinias and other blooming plants transform the town into a sea of colour.

Nelspruit has a train station and a modern airport, which is serviced several times a day.

Worth seeing is the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in the west of the town at the banks of the Crocodile river. Right next door is a crocodile farm.

 The fertile Crocodile River Valley, in which the town lies, is also notable for its tobacco and timber industries.

The streets of Nelspruit are lined with jacaranda and flamboyant trees and impeccably tended suburban gardens abound, flaunting flowering subtropical plants and shrubs.

From Nelspruit, good roads radiate to many of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the lowveld, including game sanctuaries, mountains and historic towns. Curio shops and wayside stalls offer excellent hand-woven rugs, carvings, leather goods and fresh farm produce. Hotels and caravan parks in town and the vicinity are convenient for stopovers, and several days can be profitably spent exploring the surrounding countryside. Hiking trails crisscross this scenic area in every direction making Nelspriut a great place to base yourself while visiting the area.

Accommodation in Nelspruit

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merle offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Mpumalanga including Nelspruit.
  
• Accommodation in Nelspruit
  This website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and the entire booking is carried out online.
  
• La Roca Guest House
  In the quiet suburbs of Nelspruit, La Roca is an ideal base for business or leisure travellers. Newly decorated and tastefully appointed bedrooms each with their own balcony or patio have televsion, mini bar and tea tray. Tours arranged to Panaram Route, Kruger Park or Mosabique.
  
• Loeries Call
  Set in Nelspruit, Loeries Call has unrivaled views over the crocodile river valley. Luxurious bedrooms are set in a beautifully landscaped garden and each has its own entrance.