Feb 10, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
Nelspruit and its natural surrounding areas are filled to the brim with natural attractions of all kinds. When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, guests are in the perfect place from which to explore mountains, hiking trails, dams and caves.
If caving is your thing, a day trip on the Panorama Route will bring you to the famous Echo Caves. This National Monument can be found in the Molopong valley which is situated near Ohrigstad.
The Echo caves were discovered in the 1920’s, by the owner of the farm Klipfontein, while he was searching for water in the area. After searching the land in and around his farm extensively, he came upon the caves and saw that his cattle had already found the caves and the water source. The caves are among some of the oldest of their type in the world and are now a Historical Monument.
The best, and safest, way to explore the caves are by signing up for a guided day trip. Of all the limestone caves, the Echo caves are not that well known, so a visit there is rather a personal affair, sometimes making it just you and the guide on the tour.
Early History and Cave Features
The Echo Caves have been a shelter for humans since the Middle Stone Age. San rock engravings can still be viewed within the caves and can be seen alongside beautiful, ancient rock formations which have taken centauries to form.
The caves were given their name by the local people who used to use the stalactites as a drum which served as an early warning system when Swazi tribes were approaching. The caves are about 40km in depth, and the sound from drumming on the stalactites can be heard throughout the caves. The caves have an eerily feel when the stalactites are drummed and your guide will give the experience.
Today the stalactites and stalagmites can be comfortably viewed from walkways with staircases where needed as well as railings for your safety. Electric lights are fitted throughout the guided tour areas.
The height in one of the rooms is an amazing 60 meters and the caves also boast a chamber 100 meters long. Guides will take you 2 km into the caves and en route you will have the opportunity to view the stunning cave features of stalagmites, stalactites, columns and flowstones.
The Echo Caves have not been thoroughly walked through as yet and so we can only surmise where they end. Some think it ends close to the Strijdom Tunnel, but that is just a calculated guess. For those of us that are not claustrophobic, special tours can be arranged to go deeper into the caves.
When you have absorbed all there is to see inside the caves, be sure to take a look at the various shops close to the area and buy a few keepsakes to remember your time in the area.
Nelspruit Lodge has a number of superb rooms for you to choose from. When staying in Nelspruit, our accommodation offers all of the creature comforts you could want. Book your stay today.
Feb 8, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit, Uncategorized
Not all who visit Nelspruit know exactly what our exciting little city has to offer or why it is firmly on the business map. For many years, Nelspruit was a small, mostly tourist focused town but in recent years, with the many new developments and city wide growth, we are more than the place in which people restock their vehicles when on the road to the Kruger or Mozambique.
Once you’ve planned your trip and booked your Nelspruit accommodation, you might find that there are a few blank spaces in your knowledge of the town that you’d quite like to fill. With this in mind, we have a list of a few of the frequently asked questions that you might find helpful.
- What is Nelspruit known for?
Today, the town of Nelspruit is a business hub in the Lowveld. Nelspruit is best known for being the capital of Mpumalanga. It has a rich and interesting history, while the town itself was founded in 1905, there is plenty of history that predates the buildings which sprung up to form the town we have. The town was named after the Nel Brothers who would bring their cattle to the area during the winter.
- How far is Pretoria from Nelspruit?
For those city slickers heading to our town on business, or for pleasure, knowing the distance will help with planning. Depending on traffic and weather conditions, it can take roughly 3 hours to drive the 319.15km from Pretoria to Nelspruit, if you are travelling at a speed of 110km/p.
- How old is Nelspruit?
The town is dated according to when the rail line from Lorenco Marques (Maputo) reached Nelspruit. It took roughly a year for the railway line to reach the town in 1892. This line went further on, connecting all of the small towns between Maputo and Pretoria, breathing new life into the area. So you can say that Nelspruit is well over 100 years old.
- How big is Nelspruit?
We refer to Nelspruit as a city, but when you can get to practically any area of the city within 15 minutes driving, it’s hardly right to call it a city. That being said, Nelspruit is about 72,63 square kilometres and each year that area grows.
- Does Nelspruit have an airport?
Nelspruit has two airports although the smaller one, the Nelspruit Airport, which once served as the only airport, is now used by hobby pilots and stores smaller aircrafts. The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which is a 30 minute drive from the town was opened a few years ago. Flights to cities all throughout the country can be embarked on from this airport, while it also offers international flights to nearby countries.
Nelspruit Lodge is one of the best Nelspruit hotels to book your stay in. You can enquire or make your booking online.
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