Nelspruit is the capital of the province of Mpumalanga. The city lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, 330 kilometres East of Johannesburg in the hot Lowveld.

The Malelane Gate, southern access to the Kruger Park, is about 60 kilometres away. Nelspruit is the trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing 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.