The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) — situated just 25km from Nelspruit — has opened up this historic town to a host of local and international tourism and investment projects which have pushed up property prices close to those in Gauteng.

Craig McFadyen of Sotheby’s International Realty, operated by Lew Geffen says: "The KMI airport as well as the relatively new N4 or 'Maputo Corridor', which links Nelspruit directly to Gauteng and Maputo has resulted in a booming city. Now the largest CBD along South Africa’s major eco-tourism belt, there is huge development in both residential and commercial sectors."

He says the CBD is expanding to such an extent that many residences on its outskirts are being rezoned for commercial use, which is pushing up the prices of residential properties closer to town. The CBD is however still comfortably populated and definitely not as crowded as the central areas of Gauteng.

"The improved road networks and air links have allowed for more effective transportation of fresh produce which has made the prospect of farming in the area all that more appealing and profitable.

"There is huge buyer interest in 'eco-estate' type developments which draw on and preserve the natural beauty in the area. The aim of these developments is to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible therefore there are large restrictions on what one is able to build and limited numbers of stands. These are fenced estates where small game wander freely.”

"We have found there is strong demand for properties between R600 000 and R950 000 where we have seen the greatest movement, although the market is not as buoyant as it was a year ago. We expect to see prices rising by 17-18 percent over the next year in the area.

"Nelspruit is a trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing areas in greater Mpumalanga where the sub tropical climate provides optimal growing conditions for citrus and tropical fruits including mangoes and bananas.

"The weather in Nelspruit typically consists of mild winters with temperatures of between 22 -25°C and summer temperatures soaring into the high 30s, which is why there is a focus on outdoor living and most properties have swimming pools.”

Often a base for tourists and holidaymakers, Nelspruit is 60 km from the Kruger National Park, 1.5 hours drive from the beaches of Mozambique and 40 minutes from Swaziland. It is also on the door step of the Sudwala caves, said to be the some of the oldest in the world.