Komatipoort Overview

The Crocodile River reaches the end of its course when it becomes a tributary of the Komati River. At the confluence of the Komati and Crocodile Rivers is the town of Komatipoort.

The word Komati comes from the Swazi word, "Nkhomati", which means "river of cows".Komatipoort is situated near the Kruger National Park, on the Western slopes of the Lebombo Mountains. The Lebombo mountains form a natural barrier between South Africa and Mozambique.

Today, Komatipoort is a quiet, sedate town. Malaria is under control, but it remains one of the hottest places in South Africa, with summer temperatures averaging about 33 degrees celcius, and balmy winter temperatures of around 26 degrees celcius.

Komatipoort is a railway and customs centre as well as producing agricultural products like vegetables and subtropical fruits.

This quaint town is only 8km from Crocodile Bridge Gate and 50km from Malalane Gate, two of the well known gates of the Kruger Park. The town is only 3 km from the Lebombo Border Post.



History

Komatipoort, in the 1890's was hot and fevorous and Malaria was endemic.The Komatipoort of those days was a wild and uproarious construction camp for the railway being built from Lourenco Marques (now called Maputo). During the Anglo/Boer War, the town was used as a base by Lieutenant-Colonal Steinaecker and his "Forty Thieves". This group was later enlarged to become "Steinaecker's Horse". They were a bunch of mercenaries and bushwackers and were recruited by the British in order to fight Boer guerillas in the bushveld.

Must See

There is an excellent 9-hole golf course in Komatipoort with a magnificent view of the adjacent Kruger National Park. The natural habitat of a variety of monkeys and birds with magnificent plumage, antelope and hippopotami forms part of this golf course. 

Other activities may include packing a picnic basket and setting of on one of the many hiking trails, trying tiger-fishing or watching birds.