Mpumalanga district, South Africa

Places to visit near Ermelo

Ermelo is a town in Mpumalanga district, South Africa, home to about 41,124 people. Within 50 km by road there are 43 places to visit — 23 churches, 8 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 wildlife, forests & gardens and 6 forts & heritage. The must-see place is Westoe Dam (76 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Ermelo on the map

Ermelo, South Africa
Ermelo, Mpumalanga district, South Africa. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Ermelo at a glance

Location
Mpumalanga district, South Africa
Population
about 41,124
Coordinates
26.5333° S, 29.9833° E
Places within 50 km
43
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Ermelo

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Ermelo: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Ermelo, by type

Churches near Ermelo

83 churches within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Metanoia (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Ermelo

26 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Nooitgedacht Dam (6 km); the best-known is Douglas Dam (10 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Ermelo

24 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Ahlers Private Nature Reserve (10 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Forts & heritage near Ermelo

17 forts & heritage within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Empumelelweni Royal Palace (2 km). Best time: october to february.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Ermelo

9 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Spitskop (51 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Parks near Ermelo

9 parks within 100 km of Ermelo. The closest is Terra Nova Park (94 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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A one-day trip from Ermelo

4 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 167 km on the road.

  1. Start in Ermelo
  2. 10 km Douglas Dam · dam, Mpumalanga
  3. 3 km Willem Brummer Dam · dam, Mpumalanga
  4. 41 km Lake Chrissie · lake, Mpumalanga
  5. 62 km Spitskop · viewpoint, Mpumalanga
  6. 51 km Back to Ermelo

Plan a longer trip from Ermelo — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Ermelo

No traveller has reported from around Ermelo yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Ermelo

    All places near Ermelo by distance

    Within 15 km of Ermelo

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Ermelo by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Churches2383Metanoia (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs826Nooitgedacht Dam (6 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens524Ahlers Private Nature Reserve (10 km)
    Forts & heritage617Empumelelweni Royal Palace (2 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints09Spitskop (51 km)
    Parks09Terra Nova Park (94 km)
    Museums02Randell's Ranch Museum (55 km)
    Other attractions02Bonnefoi Mansion (87 km)
    Temples11Ekwandeni Temple (1 km)
    Mosques & dargahs01Trichardt Mosque (94 km)

    Ermelo: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Ermelo?

    Douglas Dam (dam, about 10 km), Willem Brummer Dam (dam, about 13 km), Metanoia (church, about 1 km), Holy Ethopian Catholic Church in Zion (church, about 1 km), Amadodana Ase Swedish Free Church (church, about 1 km), ECG The Jesus Nation Church Ermelo (church, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Ermelo?

    43 places on Spotwander: 23 churches, 8 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 forts & heritage, 1 temple.

    Which is the nearest church to Ermelo?

    Metanoia, about 1 km by road; Holy Ethopian Catholic Church in Zion (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Ermelo?

    Nooitgedacht Dam, about 6 km by road; Douglas Dam (10 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Ermelo?

    Ahlers Private Nature Reserve, about 10 km by road; Rietvlei Private Nature Reserve (21 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Ermelo?

    Start in Ermelo, visit Douglas Dam, then Willem Brummer Dam, then Lake Chrissie, then Spitskop, and drive back — about 167 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Ermelo?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Ermelo

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Ermelo’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Ermelo on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.