The Mpumalanga Parks Board administers and manages selected Game reserves and Nature Reserves throughout the province.
The offices of the Mpumalanga Parks Board are situated in Nelspruit. The management team, which controls and manages these parks and reserves, are dedicated to serve both the tourist and local communities in order to enhance and enrich your visit to Mpumalanga.
You will find a warm welcome to this diverse and exciting destination. You will experience something of the great sky and the silence of the African bushveld and the misty highlands. You will sense something of the history that forged this beautiful province.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
The Blyde River Canyon is one of the world’s largest canyons. It encompasses some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa which include God’s window, Pinnacle view point, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Swadini Dam.
Activities: Hiking trails and picnic sites
Accommodation: Belvedere Guest House
Songimvelo Game Reserve
This reserve consists of 49 000 hectares of pristine bushveld, middleveld and Grassland on the Barberton Mountain slopes against the Swaziland border. There is a wide variety of game and birds species which make this reserve a very special destination for local and international tourists.
Activities: Game drives. Rhino and elephant sighting is guaranteed, 4 x 4 trails and picnic sites.
Accommodaion: Kromdraai Camp (self catering)
Barberton Nature Reserve
The reserve hosts various interesting game including Kudu, Klipspringer, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Grey Duiker rare Red duiker and many more.
Activities: It’s a day visitor facility, which offers a picnic site with built-in braai stands and a beautiful stream on sight. Visit the secretive Barberton Sea and wiggle your toes in the sea-like sand.
An ideal place to bring your children to play their little hearts out on the jungle gym.
Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
Situated on the edge of the Greater Drakensberg Escarpment, in majestic mountain scenery, close to the major tourist route to Pilgrim’s Rest and the Lowveld. The Ohrigstad Dam offers exceptional fishing – Yellowtail, Catfish, Tilapia, and Carp. Birdwatching combined with walks along the edge of the dam make this an ideal stopover for visitors to the area, who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busier centre.
Activities: Camping sites are available with rustic facilities. Visitors should bring their own food and supplies. There is a picnic site for day visitors as well as 4x4 trails.
Lydenburg Fisheries and Sterkspruit Nature Reserve
This aquarium, which is situated at the foot of the Long Tom Pass close to the town of Lydenburg, is set to become a major tourist attraction in the area. In the centre we breed the endangered yellow fish.
SS Skosana Nature Reserve
This small but unusual nature reserve is situated north of Bronkhorstspruit within easy reach of both Pretoria and Johannesburg. The area is dominated by unusual outcrops of granitic rock. Large antelope species have been introduced into the reserve which also boasts a wide variety of bushveld birds. Guided bush walks can be arranged under the supervision of experienced game rangers.
Accommodation: The CN Mahlangu Lodge is located within the SS Skosana Nature Reserve and is the main base camp and administrative centre. The camp is set beneath an amphitheatre of granite in spectacular bushveld scenery. The lodge offers accommodation in 16 twin bed cabins, swimming pool and conference centre. The lodge has self-catering facilities.
Mkhombo Nature Reserve
This unique conservation area is the most westward of the Mpumalanga Parks and is unique in that a portion of the reserve is described as Kalahari thorn-veld. The reserve is situated just one hour from Pretoria on the border of the Mdala Reserve and features a large dam. Animal and bird life are typical of the area.
Activities: Fishing.
Accommodation: There is a self-catering tented camp.
Mdala Game Reserve
The Mdala reserve incorporates 8000 hectares of sandy bushveld, and a chain of rocky crops. Many different larger mammals known to have occured in the region in the past have been introduced, with Burchell’s Zebra, Tsessebe, Impala, Kudu, Waterbuck and Red Hartebeest among others herbivores ost often seen.
Mdala has a network of gravel roads which afford good game viewing opportunities. Arrangements may be made by birdwatchers to explore parts of the reserve on foot.
Accommodation: The recently revamped and self-catering Mkholwane lodge
Mabusa Nature Reserve
A reserve of 15 800 hectares situated on the edge of the highveld plateau 60 km north of Bronkhorstspruit and within easy reach of both Johannesburg and Pretoria. The southern section of the reserve features open grassland which breaks into a network of kloofs and valleys further north. A number of antelope, kudu and grey duiker species have been introduced into the reserve. The development of a hiking trail within the park is planned.
Mahushe Shongwe Reserve
A small but extremely interesting game reserve set against the Swaziland border south of Malelane. The reserve is owned by the surrounding community. The area is known for its abundant bird life which includes some rare species from Zululand. Antelope have been re-introduced to the reserve.
Activities: Game drives and bush walks can be arranged. It is also a day visitor facility with a picnic area.
Accommodation: provided at the self-catering camp which takes its name from the Jackalberry trees under which the camp is located. The tents are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, there is a central kitchen and swimming pool.
Verloren Valei Nature Reserve
The Verloren Valei Nature Reserve is situated on 5900 hectares of montane grassland on the Steenkampsberg plateau north-east of the village of Dullstroom.
This reserve is the first Ramsar site in South Africa and the 17th in the world. The area offers exceptional bird watching and plant observation opportunities and is an area of unique environmental diversity. This reserve protects the rare Wattled Crane which breeds in the area.
Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
This is the third largest nature reserve in Mpumalanga Province, situated around the Loskop Dam between Grobblersdal and Middelburg. The reserve lies between the highveld and bushveld systems along the Olifants River Valley and is an ideal getaway for those seeking a break from city life. White rhino, buffalo, sable antelope, giraffe and caracal being just some of the many species.
Activities: Picnic sites, angling on the dam is permitted in boats and at designated points. Bass, Carp, Tilapia, Catfish all occur.
Accommodation: Self-catering huts offer accommodation for overnight visitors.
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve
This highveld grassland reserve is situated 10km from Carolina on the Komati River, within 2 hours drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The reserve is home to a variety of Highveld Antelope, Blesbok, Red Hartebeest and Black Wildebeest.
Activities: Yatching, fishing and camping.
Mthethomusha Game Reserve
This is a unique game park, set in mountainous country north of the Crocodile River. This reserve boasts the big five and is home to the hyena along with numerous other bushveld mammals and birds.