What to do, where to stay, where the games are being played and which ones to watch.

By Joseph Jones with contributors Vanessa Macpherson, Shelley Woode-Smith, Wendy Lötter, Angie Whatmore, Lara Sage, Verne Maree and Rebecca Bisset.
Issue 92 - March 2010

Other Cities: South Africa 2010 World Cup Guide

NELSPRUIT

Where to stay:
There’s a host of accommodation around Nelspruit, as most of the game parks have lodges within them, such as Simbambili Savannah Lodge (www.savannalodge.com).

Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa, White River
A lovely mix of wilderness cottages and suites set amidst 300 acres of forests and mountains.
www.cybele.co.za  

Timamoon Lodge, Sabie
A seductive jungle retreat for couples, near Kruger Park and the Blyde River Canyon.
www.timamoon.co.za

What to do:
Nelspruit is justly famous as the launching point for safaris in some of the best game reserves in the world. Close by are:

Lion Sands: A private family-owned reserve. www.lionsands.com

Leopard Hills: Safari in luxury. www.leopardhills.com

Londolozi: Private reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park. www.londolozi.com

Simbambili: Five-star lodge with spa and conference facilities. www.thornybush.co.za

Where it’s being played:
Newly built for 2010, the Mbombela Stadium can hold 46,000 spectators.

Games to watch:
Serbia and Australia on 23 June might prove tasty given the Croatian links of a number of Aussie players. Also intriguing is the prospect of North Korea emerging from behind the bamboo curtain against Ivory Coast two days later.


For accommodation and other travel arrangements, especially tailor-made safaris in South Africa and neighbouring countries:

Africa Bound Safaris www.africaboundsafaris.com
Asia to Africa Safaris www.atoasafaris.com
The General Safari Company www.gensaf.co.za