White River (Mpumalanga)

White River (Mpumalanga) is in Mpumalanga.

Understand

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).

Get in

By plane

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.

By bus

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

• Lowveld Link 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 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 (+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 (+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 (+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 (+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 ( +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.

By car

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.

Get around

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.

See

• Kruger National Park, Numbi Gate, Kruger National Park, ☏ +27 12 482-9111, reservations@sanparks.org. 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. 

Do

• White River Gallery, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 83 675-8833, art@whiterivergallery.co.za. 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, casterbridgecinema@zannas.co.za. Tu-Sa 18:00. 
• 1 MTO Trails, Klipkopjes Dam, R40 Hazyview road, White River, 1200, ☏ +27 82 458-5359, willieve@mto.co.za. Mountain Biking & Trail Running Trails 

Buy

• Africa Joy, Casterbridge Lifestyle Center, Corner Numbi Road and R40 to Hazyview, ☏ +27 83 675-8833, shopping@africajoy.co.za. 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. 

Eat

• 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, lyn@picassoismexican.co.za. 12:00-21:00. Good Mexican food and drinks. Mains R59-120. 
• 1 64 Coolmore, Drakensberg Street, ☏ +27 82 896-4646. Fine dining restaurant 

Sleep

• 1 Ambience Inn, ☏ +27 13 751-1951, info@ambienceinn.co.za. R725 single occupancy, R1,100 double occupancy. 
• 2 ilanda Guest House, 66 The Oaks Rd, ☏ +27 82 560-5073, info@ilandaguesthouse.co.za. R580 single, ZAR730 double occupancy and above. 
• Nut Grove Manor, Plot 55, Old Plaston Road, ☏ +27 76 697-4886, info@nutgrovemanor.co.za. R995 single, R1,250 double occupancy and above. 
• Oliver’s Restaurant and Lodge, Pine Lake Drive, White River Country Estate, ☏ +27 13 750-0479, info@olivers.co.za. R1,590 single, R2,470 double occupancy and above. 
• 3 Halleria Self Catering, The Oaks Road 66, White River, ☏ +27 66 290-1541, halleriawhiteriver@gmail.com. Budget self catering accommodation R450 single, R550 double occupancy and above.