White River (Mpumalanga) Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

White River (Mpumalanga) is in Mpumalanga.

White River in Mpumalanga province, is a small farming and holiday town. For international travellers it is mainly interesting as a base of stepping stone for visits to the Kruger National Park, Panorama Route and Eswatini (Swaziland).

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP ^IATA), 15km from White River, is served by South African Airways with flights to O.R. Tambo Johannesburg (JNB ^IATA), Cape Town (CPT ^IATA) and Durban (DUR ^IATA). There is no public transport to and from the airport, but private transfers can be organised.

Several bus shuttles service White River from Johannesburg, including O.R. Tambo International Airport:

• Lowveld Link [1] has daily minibus shuttles departing from White River Lodge (Arrivals: M-Sa 18:35, Sa 16:30, Su 15:00 and Departures: M-Sa 07:00, Su 11:00) stopping in Mbombela, Pretoria, OR Tambo International Airport, Sandton, Hatfield Gautrain Station and Lanseria Airport. Shuttle to OR Tambo cost R410.
• LimeTime Shuttle [2] has two daily minibus shuttles to and from OR Tambo International Airport departing at 05:15 and 10:15, arriving at 09:20 and 14:30. From OR Tambo shuttles leaves at 10:15 and 15:45, and arrive at 14:00 and 19:30. Shuttles cost R410.
• Translux [3] ^{[formerly dead link]} (+27 861 589-282) has weekly transfers from Johannesburg to White River (Caltex Garage) every Friday. Departure 08:00, arrival 15:10 for R190.

Shuttles from Johannesburg to Mbombela:

• Greyhound [4] (+27 13 753-2100)has daily buses from Johannesburg to Mbombela, departing at 09:00 and arriving at 15:30. Another Greyhound line connects leaves Maputo (Cotur) at 07:00 and arrives in Mbombela at R10h45.
• Intercape [5] (+27 21 380-4400) has two daily buses from Johannesburg to Mbombela, departing at 07:30 (R330) and 22:00 (R410), arriving 12:25 and 02:50 respectively.
• Citybug [6] (+27 861 33-4433) has six daily shuttles (R440) from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg to Mbombela, departing and arrival times are 08:00-11:30, 10:45-14:30, 12:30-16:00, 14:00-17:00, 15:30-19:00 and 18:00-21:30.

To and from Hoedspruit:

Thula Seats [7] ( +27 13 751-1553) provides shuttles from Mbombela (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) to Hoedspruit (R400) with stops in White River and Hazyview (R250). Departure between 13:00 and 13:30.

The N12 and N4 motorways are the main access from Johannesburg to Mbombela (340km, approximately three hours and a half). White River is then an easy 20km drive on the R40.

Public transport is limited to minibus taxis which are unpractical for most travellers. The best option is to organise a rental car from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Mbombela.

• Kruger National Park, Numbi Gate, Kruger National Park, ☏ +27 12 482-9111, [email protected]. Seek the charismatic African wildlife in South Africa’s largest park. South Africans R70, SADC National R140, International travellers R280. Children under 12 years pay 50%. 
• Sudwala Caves, R539, ☏ +27 83 446 0228. 08:30-16:30. Large limestone caves. Adults R90, Children <16 R45. 

• White River Gallery, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 83 675-8833, [email protected]. W-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Local contemporary art. 
• Casterbridge Cinema, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 13 751-3894, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 18:00. 
• -25.21695430.9957631 MTO Trails, Klipkopjes Dam, R40 Hazyview road, White River, 1200, ☏ +27 82 458-5359, [email protected]. Mountain Biking & Trail Running Trails 

• Africa Joy, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 83 675-8833, [email protected]. M-Sa 09:00-16:30, Su 10:00-15:00. South African products, good for souvenir hunting. Range includes home ware, decoration, fashion jewellery and items for kids. 

• Gum Treez Pub & Grill, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 13 750-0334. M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa-Su 09:00-21:00. South African and home-cooking type food. Includes secure playground area for children. 
• Magnolia Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 13 751-1947. Daily 07:00-22:00. Starters R55-70, Mains R60-160, Desserts R35-55. 
• Picasso’s Mexican Taqueria Restaurant, Hazyview Road, Bagdad Centre, ☏ +27 13 750-0300, [email protected]. 12:00-21:00. Good Mexican food and drinks. Mains R59-120. 
• -25.30149830.9975551 64 Coolmore, Drakensberg Street, ☏ +27 82 896-4646. Fine dining restaurant 

• -25.3288531.00281 Ambience Inn, ☏ +27 13 751-1951, [email protected]. R725 single occupancy, R1,100 double occupancy. 
• -25.31344331.0082752 ilanda Guest House, 66 The Oaks Rd, ☏ +27 82 560-5073, [email protected]. R580 single, ZAR730 double occupancy and above. 
• Nut Grove Manor, Plot 55, Old Plaston Road, ☏ +27 76 697-4886, [email protected]. R995 single, R1,250 double occupancy and above. 
• Oliver’s Restaurant and Lodge, Pine Lake Drive, White River Country Estate, ☏ +27 13 750-0479, [email protected]. R1,590 single, R2,470 double occupancy and above. 
• -25.31374731.0066343 Halleria Self Catering, The Oaks Road 66, White River, ☏ +27 66 290-1541, [email protected]. Budget self catering accommodation R450 single, R550 double occupancy and above.