Situated in the Grass and Wetlands region of the Mpumalanga province lies the town of Ermelo
Ermelo is the crossroads of three national highways, N2, N11and the N17, only Pretoria and Johannesburg are crossed by more. In other words we are situated en route to Kruger National Park from KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Swaziland and Southern Mozambique
If your watch is set right it’s the only town in Southern Africa where it is totally correct. GATEWAY BACKPACKERS and ERMELO is situated at exactly 30deg Eastern Longitude on the international map. Longitude and latitude are the lines by which position, date, and most importantly, time is calculated.
The significance of the 30deg eastern longitude line is that it depicts time for the African continent - Central African Time or CAT.
The area is well known for its excellent horse breeders and small livestock.
Anthracite, coal and torbanite mining also takes place here.
Ermelo boasts magical beauty as it is ideally situated amongst the grass and wetlands region of the Mpumalanga Province.
ERMELO is the Grass & Wetlands' principal city.
Warm to Hot in summer. Mild to cold in winter, but can become very cold in the Highveld areas. The Grass and Wetlands is a summer rainfall area, with occasional snowfalls in winter. The typically cool nights on the grasslands and misty mornings are reminiscent of a European climate. May to September: Ermelo is very chilly this time of year and temperatures can drop well below zero at night.
Operates throughout the region
Major routes and all centres
Visitors will experience country living at its best with numerous restaurants. Well-positioned filling stations, with food courts, are available to travellers throughout the region.
SA Rand
No Malaria
Binoculars, camera and film, sunscreen, strong walking shoes, sun hat, light tropical clothing, warm coat or tracksuit for winter and evenings.
“Mpumalanga’s Mysterious Abondond Village” - Bonnefoi, Carolina Situated: 53km from Ermelo.
The Stone Village and Lake District of South Africa. 277 lakes of various sizes in 20km radius & historic little buildings as well as a bushman heritage site – Chrissiesmeer is a 20minute drive from Ermelo
Mysterious Stone Circles of the Komati and The Komati river / Eye of the Vaal and murder rock originates west of Carolina, rising at an elevation of about 1,800 m near Breyten in the Ermelo district – Situated : 29km from Ermelo
Rock Art Routes – Contact: http://www.explore-mp.com
Goliath’s Footprint – Nu Scotland Area. Situated: 75km From Ermelo
Ratural Erosion Bridge/ Natural Standstone Bridge. Situated between Ermelo and Chrissiesmeer – Contact: http://www.explore-mp.com
The Giant Mushroom Rock – Breyten. Situated: Contact: http://www.explore-mp.com
McCorkindale Cave – Nu Scotland. Situated: 75km from Ermelo. Contact Tereisa at 082 479 4048
Ebutsini for Swazi Cutural Village – Situated along the Swaziland & Oshoek Border post. Contact: http://www.explore-mp.com
Songimvelo Nature Reserve – Situated along the Swaziland & Oshoek Border post Contact: 011 463 3779 / 0724450637
Quad Bike and 4x4 route – Contact Rehan Wassermann 0825431511
Nkomazi Wildernes Cradle of life
Badplaas Contact: sean@cradleoflife.co.za - Situated: 1hr 28min drive from Ermelo
Wakkerstroom
Sandwiched between KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Swaziland with its Wetlands Reserve and Clive Beck Bird Hide, Bird Life SA and more. Situated: 125km from Ermelo
Within +-100 km radius from Ermelo towards Gauteng is Secunda known for its Cosmos festival, yearly Potato festival and Lake Umuzi Waterfront. Piet Retief has its own Cultural Village which also opened recently. Towards the Lowveld the road passes by at the well known Badplaas & Hydro with its hot mineral springs. The Emanzana Game Reserve stretches from Buffels Spruit in the South to the Towering Hlumuhlumu Mountain range in the north. Home to no fewer than 32 mammal species ranging from petite Springbok to white rhino. Not to be forgotten are the 152 bird species and entrancing topography.
For those interested in visiting Swaziland the border to enter at would be Nerston via a lesser known town Amsterdam which is a forestry/farming region. An initiative in 1867 as part of immigration scheme by A. McCorkindale as a Scottish settlement; by name of Roburnia (from Robert Burns). Also known as New Scotland.
Township Tours
A newly established tour of the township near Ermelo introduces visitors to the cultures of the people. For tours contact 0827867959