Witbank is a coal mining town in the province of Mpumalanga. It falls within the municipality of eMalahleni. It is on the main route from Johannesburg and Pretoria to the popular Kruger National Park, nearby private game reserves and Mozambique
The name Witbank means “white ridge” and was chosen by early transport riders who used to overnight at a rocky white outcrop situated here. The name eMalahleni means “place of coal”. Witbank has 22 collieries in its municipal area, as well as several power plants that produce electricity from coal. It also has a steel mill that depends on coal. The surrounding farmland is gradually being bought up by investors and coal mining companies.
During the South African War, Winston Churchill, who was a reporter and captured by the Boers, escaped from Pretoria and fled Eastward to the current Mozambique. At one of the collieries in Witbank he was hidden from the Boers by people loyal to the English and assisted on his journey to Mozambique.
The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
Mpumalanga Province lies to the north-east of South Africa. In the Mpumalanga Highveld you’ll find grassland savanna and trout-fishing villages. The Mpumalanga Lowveld is known for fruit farms, game farms, private game reserves and the Kruger National Park. In between lies the spectacular escarpment and Blyde River Canyon.