Aug 7, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
“A footpath for the feet, a pathway for the mind.”
One of the best keep secrets of the Genesis Route is without a doubt the Labyrinth at Boondocks. This gem is just 4.3km from Kaapmuiden on the N4 between Nelspruit and Malelane on 2 200 hectares of pristine bushveld that offers stunning valley views. The Boondocks Labyrinth is based on the classic medieval Labyrinth in the Charles Cathedral in France which was built in 1204.
The Labyrinth is said to date back to 2500BC and is said to represent the shape of mother- nature. The single straight entrance and exit point is designed to represent both the umbilical cord and birthing canal, both of which give birth to our soul. Once you have entered the labyrinth you have no choice but to follow the pattern, there is no right or wrong way when it comes to walking the path. Once you get going you will soon find you have lost your sense of direction and forgotten about the buzz of the outside world, which leads to a wonderful quietening of the mind. This serene quiet helps us to reflect on what is important in our lives.
Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice known as “The laying of the feet.” All labyrinths are unicursal which means the path you follow to the centre is the same as the path you follow out. Unlike a maze it does not have dead ends and so you cannot get lost in a labyrinth. These unique paths are said to have healing properties, for your emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
The Boondocks Labyrinth is on top of a mountain and set in a stunning garden. The way up to the labyrinth is a wide path that follows a stream. Overhead you are shaded from the blazing sun by the leaves of ancient trees giving the area a truly mystical atmosphere. Along the hike up the mountain, you will have the company of Baboons, Bushbuck, Impala, Klipspringer, Warthogs and many other wild animals that call the area their home. Birding enthusiasts will find that the Birding Trails in particular have a wide array of birds. There are also several nature trails that have niches nestled into the side of them for quiet meditation or just to take a break and relax.
It makes no difference whether you walk the labyrinth for spiritual reasons or just to say you have done it, the area in which this labyrinth has been built has such a tranquil atmosphere that you will feel rejuvenated after visiting here. Once at the labyrinth, a quick look around will have you looking at some of the most spectacular bushveld in the Lowveld.
If you would like to visit the Labyrinth, take note that it is by appointment only. Day visitors are very welcome and it is a good idea to pack your picnic basket and make a day of it. There is a spa-bath and outdoor shower and no cell phone signal in the area.
And while in the area, why not make your temporary home at Nelspruit Lodge? We are only a short drive away from this spectacular attraction.
Aug 6, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
The Lowveld is rich in its history and we are fortunate that our guests can enjoy exploring this history while they stay at Nelspruit Lodge.
Alec “Wheelbarrow” Patterson was a loner that earned his nickname Wheelbarrow Patterson because he pushed his belongings around in his wheelbarrow after he sold his donkey because it kicked him. There is not much known about this man as he was secretive and preferred panning for gold on his own.
The story goes that after selling his donkey, he then pushed his wheelbarrow from the Cape to Mac Mac to pan for gold. The overcrowding at Mac Mac did not suite Wheelbarrow Patterson and so one morning he packed his sluice box and panning equipment onto his trusty wheelbarrow and merely informed the locals “I’m off!” before heading into the hills. After surveying the Blyde River Valley from the top of the mountains he saw a small stream coming down the mountain and join with the Blyde River. He also noticed that there were peach trees growing on the banks of the Blyde River possibly germinating after hunters had passed and thrown down the pips. After walking about half way down the stream, Wheelbarrow Patterson put his prospectors pan in the stream and found the tell-tail colour in his pan. Being a solitary man, he quietly kept on panning, not registering a claim.
And such was the beginnings of a town that has become a cultural jewel in Mpumalanga.
His secret was soon revealed when a fellow panning struck gold in the same stream and registered a claim. As the news got out the area was soon flooded by many other gold panning enthusiasts creating the biggest gold rush of the time and on the 22nd of September 1873, Pilgrims Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field. Although most of the gold found in the river was alluvial, gold dust, there were also several nuggets found wedged in the boulders of the streams.
Today, a visit to Pilgrims Rest is not complete if you don’t stop in at the Digging Site which is a well-marked turn off just outside the village. A lot of work has been done here to recreate the atmosphere and look of the area so that it represents what it must have looked like in the 1800s when there area was a hive of panning activity.
Included here is the Gold Commissioners Hut, transport wagon, prison tent, sluice box, water wheel, steam engine and stamp battery. Once you have done a tour of the area you will be given a demonstration on how to go about panning for gold and you may even try your hand at panning for gold yourself. It is said that if you simply do as the river would do and rinse the water over the sand in the pan from left to right, the gold that is heavy will stay in the pan and the lighter deposits will be released back into the river. This process has to then be repeated several times until all you have left in your pan is gold.
When staying at Nelspruit Lodge, you too can experience gold panning, with Pilgrim’s Rest being a short drive away. Book your stay today!
Aug 4, 2019 | Accommodation in Nelspruit
At Nelspruit Lodge we offer travellers a wide range of affordable accommodation in Nelspruit. And our guests don’t have to settle for the normal accommodation when they have the option of staying in truly luxurious rooms. Luxury accommodation doesn’t have to be reserved for those special occasions, sometimes you need to give yourself permission to simply treat yourself to the finer things in life.
Guests who are looking for a little luxury will find that there is all kinds of accommodation boasting luxury status, but perhaps you can’t quite tell the difference between that which is luxurious and that accommodation that is actually quite average. Whether you are planning a holiday or find yourself in search of great accommodation while you are in town on business, it’s good to know how to spot the difference between luxury and normal accommodation, and why sometimes luxury is so much better.
Experience better sleep
When booking luxury accommodation the chances of getting a more comfortable bed and bedding is more likely than when booking cheaper accommodation. You will also experience better sleep because you are possibly going to have a room in a more private area. Other factors that might make your sleep far better is temperature and lighting control.
The option of changing rooms
Should you check into your room and find that it really isn’t what you expected, or should it have some sort of issue, you can always ask to change rooms. This is a benefit you wouldn’t generally have at your disposal if you were renting a place or staying at a mediocre guest house.
The location is so much better
The general location in which the more luxury accommodation is built is oftentimes a lot more private and exclusive when compared to other accommodation.
The service is better
You will without a doubt have better service when you choose luxury accommodation over your other options. You’ll get to enjoy a far superior service and everything from the check ins, to the room service and cleaning will be handled in a professional and friendly manner. Staff at these kinds of places are both well trained and they have loads of experience.
Nelspruit Lodge continues to improve the service and the accommodation we provide, and we have been constructing new accommodation while also giving our existing accommodation a stylish makeover. Our guests can look forward to fabulous rooms, kitted out with exactly what it is you need. Guests can self-cater in our luxury rooms, with a kitchenette available, or they can have a meal at our restaurant.
All of our higher end accommodation is well-priced, making it more affordable for just about everyone. You can book your stay at our lodge online or by giving us a call. You will find all of the basic amenities in our rooms and if there is something you need in particular, you can always ask our helpful staff.
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