Komatipoort is a small, quiet tourist town located in the lowveld of South Africa. Bordering on the Kruger National Park and Mozambique, this town of 4,700 people (2011) boasts some attractive tree-lined streets.
'Komati' takes its name from the Komati River, whose original native Swazi name is Nkomazi, translated as "river of cows". Komatipoort is situated at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.
A Glimpse into History
In the 1890s, Komatipoort was a wild and uproarious construction camp for the railway being built from Lourenco Marques (modern Maputo). Between 1900 and 1902 during the Anglo/Boer War, the town was used as a base by Major F. Von Steinaecker and his group known as 'Steinaecker's Horse'.
Near Komatipoort is the site where the former Mozambique's President Samora Machel died in a plane crash at Mbuzini village in the Lebombo mountain, the natural barrier between South Africa and Mozambique.
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Getting There and Around
An overnight train service from Johannesburg is provided by Shosholoza Meyl several times per week. A connecting train to and from Maputo is available just across the border in neighboring Ressano Garcia.
Border Information
- Lebombo border post with Mozambique: 3km outside town on the N4.
- Mananga border post with Eswatini: South along the R571 for about 63 km. Open 07:00-18:00.
Weather and Climate
In Komatipoort, the summers are hot, muggy, wet, and partly cloudy, while the winters are short, comfortable, dry, and clear. The best time of year to visit Komatipoort for hot-weather activities is from mid-January to mid-May.
The hot season lasts for 3.5 months, from December 7 to March 25, with an average daily high temperature above 84°F. The hottest month of the year in Komatipoort is January, with an average high of 87°F and low of 71°F.
The cool season lasts for 2.2 months, from June 1 to August 7, with an average daily high temperature below 77°F. The coldest month of the year in Komatipoort is July, with an average low of 57°F and high of 76°F.
Cloud Cover
The clearer part of the year in Komatipoort begins around March 5 and lasts for 7.3 months, ending around October 14. The clearest month of the year in Komatipoort is July, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 93% of the time.
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The cloudier part of the year begins around October 14 and lasts for 4.7 months, ending around March 5. The cloudiest month of the year in Komatipoort is December, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 39% of the time.
Precipitation
The chance of wet days in Komatipoort varies significantly throughout the year. The wetter season lasts 5.3 months, from October 22 to April 1, with a greater than 24% chance of a given day being a wet day. The month with the most wet days in Komatipoort is December, with an average of 13.4 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
The drier season lasts 6.6 months, from April 1 to October 22. The month with the fewest wet days in Komatipoort is July, with an average of 0.8 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
The rainy period of the year lasts for 8.4 months, from September 3 to May 17, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. The month with the most rain in Komatipoort is January, with an average rainfall of 4.2 inches.
The rainless period of the year lasts for 3.6 months, from May 17 to September 3. The month with the least rain in Komatipoort is July, with an average rainfall of 0.2 inches.
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Temperature
Based on the beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Komatipoort for hot-weather activities is from mid-January to mid-May. The tourism score favors clear, rainless days with perceived temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Based on this score, the best time of year to visit Komatipoort for general outdoor tourist activities is from mid-April to late September, with a peak score in the last week of July.
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Things to Do
- Kruger Park.
- Day trips to Maputo or Eswatini (Swaziland).
- Isivuba Tours & Fishing Adventures, ☏ +27 82 887-0666.
Accommodation
- 1 Orchards Farm Cottages, Komatipoort (Off N4, 4km from Mozambique border), ☏ +27 82 495-5466. Self-catering/B&B establishment 12 km from Crocodile Bridge Gate to the Kruger Park and 4 km from the Mozambique border post. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00.
- 2 Tigerfish lodge, 7 Flamingo St, ☏ +27 13 793-7651. Air-conditioned accommodation in 3-star self-catering apartments. Breakfasts, lunch, or dinner available at the on-site restaurant Kitsch-Inn. Secure parking and private braai facilities, and pool.
Essential Tips
- Make sure that you carry an ample supply of water at all times.
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