Fully-catered Country House close to Kruger National Park

Rural

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South Africa is often described as ‘a world in one country’ as it offers the visitor a breathtaking variety of scenery, from desert and lush forest, to soaring mountains and vast empty plains.

Culturally as diverse as the landscape, many visitors are drawn to experience for themselves the miracle of the peaceful overthrow of Apartheid. Others are attracted by endless golden beaches, big game, diving, snorkelling or bird watching. Whatever their reasons, visitors will find South Africa positively inviting with world-class infrastructure, transport and accommodation.

umSisi House is situated in Mpumalanga (‘the place where the sun rises’) which is South Africa’s most easterly province bordered by Mozambique to the east and the Kingdom of Swaziland to the south.

Mpumalanga is a lush, land-locked province, filled with deep ravines, verdant valleys, crystal-clear streams, magnificent waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. It is considered to be the heartland of South Africa’s classic safari territory. Mpumalanga enjoys a subtropical climate and is very fertile. There are many huge plantations growing produce ranging from avocado pears to bananas to pecan nuts to citrus as well as hundreds of thousands of hectares of timber plantations.

umSisi House is a mere 15 minutes away from the Kruger National Park and 20 minutes away from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which is the main destination for visitors flying into the Kruger Lowveld area. The airport offers numerous car rental options.

White River, the nearest town to umSisi House (15 minutes away), is the pretty floral gateway to the Kruger Lowveld region and can be found just north of Nelspruit (the provincial capital of Mpumalanga).

Nelspruit offers all the modern amenities of a first world city from shopping malls, family entertainment, medical facilities and banking to tourism services.

Looking slightly further afield Maputo, the buzzing capital of Mozambique, is only two hours drive from Nelspruit and is en route to the many pristine beach destinations that the country has to offer. The beautiful kingdom of Swaziland is approximately three hours drive from Nelspruit and offers a world of bygone African traditions and culture.

It is recommended that you hire a car when staying with us for longer than three nights. On shorter stays, we are happy to arrange your transfers and Kruger Park activities as we know you won’t have time to experience the region’s many other highlights.

The Kruger Lowveld region is as well known for its spectacular beauty and adventure activities as it is for its game viewing potential. The area abounds with things to do and you can spend days exploring this magical part of the world. Historical sites and villages, old wagon routes and monuments mark the lives of the characters that came to Mpumalanga seeking their fortune. Jock of the Bushveld, the mining towns of Pilgrim’s Rest and Barberton - with Africa’s first stock exchange – are just some of the picturesque and colourful chunks of history to learn about and experience. In Mpumalanga, you will find something to appeal to everyone in your party - regardless of age and fitness levels. Kruger National Park Safaris umSisi House is located only 15 minutes drive from Numbi Gate – the first, and most appealing entrance into the Kruger National Park. Numbi Gate is located in the south-western section of the park and its higher altitude provides a sweeping vista over the Lowveld to the east and granite foothills to the north and south. This is a high rainfall area allowing for a particularly high diversity of plant and animal species. Kruger is the best-known game reserve in Africa. The park draws over a million visitors a year and the area hosts tremendous bio-diversity including 147 species of mammals, 507 bird species, 114 reptile species, 34 amphibian species, 49 fish species and approximately 336 tree species within 4,5 million acres (2 million hectares) of natural bush - an area that could easily accommodate Wales. The Kruger National Park was proclaimed in 1926 with Numbi Gate as the official entrance charging an admittance fee of £1! We are delighted to be able to offer a safari solution for the entire family (some age restrictions may apply) that allows you to enjoy the Kruger National Park on a series of day trips while still returning to the privacy and comfort of your exclusive African villa at the end of each day. We have teamed up with local operators, and their experienced guides, to provide you with the option of exploring the Kruger in an open game viewer should you not wish to self-drive. These vehicles are hired on a daily basis and the guides are trained to identify everything from the smallest dung beetle to the great African Elephant. Due to our close proximity to Numbi Gate, you will be collected and returned to umSisi at the end of each day. Please contact us directly for rates. Panorama Route The magnificent Panorama Route is best known for its secret history, cultural heritage and dramatic landscapes as it passes through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon (proclaimed as a nature reserve in 2004) with its dramatic mountain scenery and panoramic views over the escarpment. The 25,000 hectare Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve starts at ‘The Pinnacle’ and follows a winding path for 26 kilometers via ‘God’s Window’ and ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ to the ‘Three Rondawels’. It is the third largest canyon in the world with a drop of 800m, the second largest canyon in Africa and the only green canyon in the world boasting a rich diversity of plants. Golf The Kruger Lowveld region in Mpumalanga province boasts some of the finest golf courses in the southern hemisphere. If you are a golfer visiting this region, you will have a choice of the follwing courses: White River Golf Course, Sabie River Golf Course, Nelspruit Golf Course, Skukuza Golf Course and Leopard Creek Golf Course. The Lucky Bean Kids' Club For guests with children, umSisi House has created the ‘Lucky Bean Kids’ Club’ which welcomes children of all ages. All children will be included in the daily itinerary from sunrise to sunset and will be delighted to find that a whole host of kid friendly ‘stuff’ is available to keep them occupied when ‘at home’. Responsible Tourism umSisi House is privy to an African village called Masoyi where guests will be invited to experience the true essence of Africa, and its people. This ability to interact with the local community, and support projects that benefit them directly, will satisfy the needs of those wishing to promote the principles of ‘responsible tourism’. Please visit our website or contact us directly for more information on activities available in the area.

Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Fishing, Swimming pool, Golf, Tennis, Horse riding, Walking, Extreme sports

• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Airport) - 20.0km / 12.4miles
• Maputo (Ferry port) - 200.0km / 124.3miles
• Train: Nelspruit (Public Transport) - 35.0km / 21.7miles
• N4 Nelspruit (Motorway junction) - 35.0km / 21.7miles
• Mozambique (Beach) - 950.0km / 590.3miles
• Nearest Barpub: Casterbridge Farm (Other) - 15.0km / 9.3miles
• Nearest Golf: White River Golf Course (Other) - 20.0km / 12.4miles
• Nearest Restaurant: Magnolia (Other) - 15.0km / 9.3miles