This scenic village lies at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers with the Kruger National Park and Mozambique as it’s close neighbours. Although Komatipoort is about 100 km from the Indian Ocean, it is not even 200 km above sea level. The town is the main gateway to Mozambique for both road and rail traffic, and before the railway line was built in the late 1800’s, Komatipoort was used as a camping site for transport wagons traveling to and from the coast. The Indian politician, Mahatma Ghandi, was imprisoned here for a time before he escaped and crossed the border into Mozambique. Today Komatipoort is a modern town serving a prosperous sugar farming community. The town offers all modern facilities to visitors and is often used as entry or exit point to the Kruger National Park, Crocodile Bridge being only 9 km away. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899 – 1902) an irregular mounted unit, Steinacker’s Horse, was stationed at Komatipoort. Their leader, one Ludwig Steinacker, who claimed to be a Silesian count, became something of a legend in the Lowveld for his eccentric manner. From the Lebombo Border Post, a road leads to the top of a hill offering panoramic views of the Komati Flats, the town and Mozambique. The plane crash site where Mozambique President Samora Machel died is now a National Monument. The cemetery, alongside the main road into town. Records some fascinating people and past events.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

From Johannesburg and Pretoria travel on the N4 to Nelspruit then through Kaapmuiden, Malelane and Hectorspruit. Komtipoort is situated 200 km from Nelspruit and 3 km from the Lebombo border post. From KwaZulu Natal travel north to Nelspruit then on the N4 eastwards through Kaapmuiden to Komatipoort.

Altitude: 200 m above sea level

Banks

FNB

Rivers

Crocodile, Komati

HISTORICAL VIEW

The eyes of the world were concentrated on Komatipoort in 1984 when PW Botha, Prime Minister of South Africa, and Samora Machel, President of Mozambique, signed the Nkomati Accord. The Accord was signed on no man’s land between South Africa and Mozambique on 16 March 1984, and made provision for the cessation of all forms of violence, terrorism and aggression involving South Africa and Mozambique. Two years later, on Sunday 19 October 1986, at Russian Topulev 134 jet aircraft, with 39 people on board, crashed near Mbuzini, about 52 km from Komatiepoort, President Machel and a group of Russian and Cuban advisers had been on a one day conference to Lusaka, Zambia, and were on their way back to Maputo when the Russian pilot mistook the lights of Mbuzini for those of Matsapa Airport. The aircraft crashed on a hill, 200 m from the border, where it somersaulted and shattered killing 28 people, including Samora Machel. He was buried in Maputo on 28 October 1986.

Lebombo Border Post Building

Has been declared a National Monument. A road leading from the border post to the top of a nearby hill offers spectacular views of the town, the Komati Flats and Mozambique.

Marehall Memorial

Old Railway Museum

Is being developed for visitors and will also house the town’s information centre.

Samora Machel

The site where Mozambique president Samora Machel died in a plane crash has been declared a monument

Steel Railway Bridge

Across the Komati River. Has been in continuous use since 1895 and has been declared a National Monument.

NATURE

Bat Flats

Built to attract bats to the area to reduce the number of mosquitoes and to pollinate banana trees, have been in use for many years.

Grove of Fever Trees

A grove of fever trees a short drive from the town makes an interesting study of colour and light effects and is believed to be one of the largest such groves in South Africa.

Komati Flats

Excellent bird watching spots on the Komati Flats featuring a number of rare species, including the Blue Crane.

Komati Holiday Resort

Enjoy the beautiful Lowveld in the shade of giant fever trees, while listening to the sounds of the bushveld. The swimming pool is surrounded by fully equipped chalets, as well as a comfortable lapa, boma and self catering bar. Alternatively, choose one of the caravan or camp sites on or away from the waterfront. All are shaded and equipped with power points, water and braai facilities. Following the river, a hiking trail meanders in the shade of jakkalsbessie, fever, sycamore and leadwood trees – an ideal activity to enjoy the unspoiled bushveld surroundings which are home to a large variety of bird species. Abundant too, are the resort dam’s tigerfish, bream and carp.

Kruger National Park

Lebombo Tourist Route

An interesting and scenic alternative route to KwaZulu Natal, takes visitors from Komatipoort through Swaziland and Hlane National Park to Pongola Biosphere up to Kosi Bay on the northern KwaZulu Natal coastline. The wetlands area on the Komati flats is an interesting ecosystem for the nature lover, while history buffs will enjoy the Marehall Memorial and nearby historical kraal.

Marloth Park

Habitat of the Marlothii aloe, this resort in the heart of the Lowveld provides a natural environment for the indigenous thorn trees, grassland and flora of the region. In order to maintain the rich wilderness of Marloth, the park has no restrictive fence, and roads maintain untarred. Animals are free to roam over the 1 548 ha of the park, and visitors may spot kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe or over 150 bird species while enjoying this natural paradise on foot or from a vehicle. The camp sites, which ensure privacy and tranquility for visitors, offer no electricity or tarred roads, but amenities are very modern and include two swimming pools, a tennis court and clubhouse with braai facilities.

ACTIVITIES

Hakuna Matata

A curio shop with a different in the heart of Komatipoort, offering a wide selection of souvenirs, African art, ethnic jewellery and more. A tea garden attached to Hakuna Matata sells a variety of light meals from scones to prawns, in a cool, shady atmosphere. Indigenous plants are also on sale.

Kruger National Park

Mozambique Tours

This excellent tourist agency provides a full information service and visa assistance to travelers between Komatipoort, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Winter Taxidermist

Arrange a fascinating visit to one of South Africa’s leading taxidermists at his studio in Komatipoort.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

Bird Watching

Komati Flats is ideal for bird watching, and a number of rare species can be viewed, including the Blue Crane. The wetland area is of particular interest

Fishing

Both the Komati and Crocodile Rivers offers various excellent angling sites for carp, bream and tigerfish. Catching tigerfish is one of the most sought after angling experiences.

Hiking Trails

Mountain Biking

River Rafting

Swimming

Accommodation in and around Kokstad