Badplaas

The small resort town of Badplaas (or Emanzana – the Swazi name) is known for the healing waters of a sulphur spring that pumps out 30 000 litres a day, spectacular views, a serene and lovely mountain backdrop (paradoxically named Ndumudlumu – ‘Place of Much Thunder’ in Swazi), and colourful  and prolific bird-life.

Badplaas is situated on the banks of the small Seekoispruit (Hippo Stream) River. The sulphur springs, called Emanzana or ‘Healing Waters’, are situated within a 3-star resort managed by ‘Forever Resorts’, where you can find hotel accommodation, self-catering units as well as camping and caravan spots, conference facitities, a Waterpark and full resort facilities and activities, and which is also open to day-visitors.

The area around this award-winning resort features a private game reserve which is home to White Rhino and a variety of antelope, and activities offered by the resort in Badplaas include horse riding, 4×4 trails and guided quad-bike safaris in the reserve.

The Num Num Hiking & Slackpacking Trail in the Highlands starts at the Pongola Rest Camp just 40km north of Badplaas on the R541, near Machadorp and Waterval Boven, and at Waterval Boven the Elands River Falls are spectacular and one of Mpumalanga’s best rock-climbing and abseiling spots.

There are a number of country lodges in this beautiful area that make a great base from which to explore both the Grass and Wetlands and the Highlands Meander regions of Mpumalanga.

Getting there: Badplaas is situated just off the R38. From Johannesburg take the N12 east till it merges on to the N4 after about 125km. Take the offramp on to the N11 after about 30km, then turn left on to the R38 after a further 42km. Continue on this road through Carolina. Badplaas is a further 49km past Carolina.