Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

The glorious New Year is finally here! And there is certainly an air of travel expectation that has accompanied 2022. Perhaps it is because we’ve all been locked up and uncertain for the last 2 years, but the travel bug is definitely biting many a South African and a trip to the Lowveld area might be just what you need.

The Lowveld remains a stunning place to spend some time, whether it is just for a fun weekend away or if you are looking for a place to spend a week or 2. A destination of fun activities and some truly memorable sightings, when you choose the Lowveld as your holiday destination in 2022, there will be plenty to keep you busy.

And along with having so much to do and see, when you choose our little corner of South Africa as the place to visit this year, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation.

Nelspruit, being the capital city, is often the preferred place to stay in the Lowveld, because it is both affordable and quite central. When staying in Nelspruit, you have the perfect vantage point from which to explore, and no matter what your hotel hopes are, there is something for everyone in our city.

  1. Nelspruit Lodge
    We can’t write a list without including ourselves. This is not a vanity thing, but rather based on the fact that we have time and again been voted as one of the best places to stay in Nelspruit. We have a variety of great rooms and our prices are just about unbeatable. Many holiday makers choose our lodge because of our central location.
  1. Pensao
    For a more guesthouse feel, Pensao is a great place to stay. This accommodation facility has all of the elements of a guesthouse and with limited rooms, guests can enjoy plenty more privacy if that is what they are looking for. The guesthouse is situated in a glowing green suburb.
  1. Tomjachu Bush Retreat
    It is not just a fantastic place to spend a day outdoors, Tomjachu, with all of its incredible activities and game viewing opportunities, is also a fantastic place to stay in Nelspruit. The nature appeal is strong here, and while it is a little more on the pricey side, you won’t mind paying up once you arrive and take in all of the glorious beauty that surrounds your incredible accommodation.
  1. Utopia in Africa
    This Nelspruit lodge certainly lives up to its name and when you first catch sight of its exquisite landscaping and super comfortable rooms, you will understand why. It is the perfect destination for couples seeking privacy and a romantic retreat and since it is a short drive out of the city, it is utterly tranquil.
  1. Chill Pepper Boutique Hotel
    While Nelspruit is for the most part quite conservative, it does have a few quirky places to stay, like the Chill Pepper Boutique. With its artsy feel and its central location, it is definitely a great choice if you are looking for something a little different.
Your 2021 December Lowveld Bucket List

Your 2021 December Lowveld Bucket List

Do you feel that? We are painfully close to the end of the year, and since the end of this year is shaping up to be much like the last (hello travel bans), this is the perfect opportunity to again support the local tourism industry, while also getting to explore everything that our lovely local community has to offer.

The Lowveld is spectacular. Are we biased? Of course. But when you visit the Lowveld in the summer months, you will see just why we use spectacular as the word to describe our beautiful part of the world. Beyond the beauty you will come across when travelling through our area, there is just so much to do here, and it won’t eat up your holiday budget.

A quick little bit of housekeeping before we get into things. If the Lowveld is your holiday destination, then you should think about making Nelspruit Lodge your preferred place to stay. Why? Because we have everything that you need in order to make your holiday both a relaxed experience as well as something that you will remember for years to come. We are also in a fantastic central location which means we can really be your home away from home while you are exploring all of the great activities that you can do while here. And finally, there is that price. We are affordable accommodation in Nelspruit.

Our Bucket List Suggestions

To get a real taste of what our corner of the world has to offer, this is what we suggest you add to your 2021 Lowveld Adventure!

  1. Fishing at Silwer Rots
    The Lowveld is an outdoorsy destination, and when you spot our rolling hills and gorgeous greenery, you can easily see why. So, one of the things we suggest you do here is a spot of fishing at Silwer Rots, a beautiful location out on the Uitkyk Road (we’ll help you find it on a map). And if fishing is not your jam, don’t worry, you can always instead go there and enjoy a picnic or a bite to eat at the bar.
  1. Hiking at Tomjachu
    A bush retreat that offers so much outdoor fun, at a really small fee (but you will have to make a reservation), Tomjachu is a great place to go hiking, enjoy a picnic, or even go on a real life safari. The retreat is home to all sorts of wildlife, which makes any time you spend here incredibly special. There is also the occasional sky gazing workshop hosted here, but to take part in that you will have to check what they have available.
  2. Dinner at The Jock
    Honestly, a Nelspruit staple, if you have been to the town before and you have not visited The Jock, you are missing out! Quite inexpensive (considering the current climate) and offering some delicious food, an evening spent here means you are supporting local while also really indulging your taste buds.
Ways to save on Accommodation in Nelspruit

Ways to save on Accommodation in Nelspruit

For any kind of traveller, whether they are in town for business or for pleasure, finding the right accommodation in Nelspruit, often means finding accommodation that doesn’t break the budget. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation in our small town, and if you want to be certain that you will find the right price for the type of accommodation that will suit both your needs as well as your expectations, then it helps to have a few tips close at hand.

Nelspruit Lodge, is a centrally located lodge that has become greatly popular among those who are looking for a budget friendly option that is comfortable and has everything one could expect. At our lodge, we have designed a space that is meant to feel like your home away from home. Nelspruit Lodge is the place to relax and within our rooms, you will find a wide range of amenities to enjoy, each of which is there to make your stay with us that little bit more pleasant. And on top of all of this, our accommodation in Nelspruit is well-priced and can fit in with just about every budget.

Money saving tips

There is no point in looking for accommodation on the basis of price alone. To make the most of your accommodation, you will need to keep a few factors in mind:

  • The destination is important
  • Have an idea about the style and the comforts that you wish to have
  • Keep in mind the number of people that you will be travelling with
  • Know what your overall budget will be

Once you have all of this information, the next step, which is finding the ideal accommodation (at the right price), will be easy.

  1. Make a booking for more than one night
    Generally, the once off stay will be more expensive when compared to the price that you would be paying if you were to book a stay for more than one night. Most lodges tend to drop prices by giving a discount, when they have guests keen on more than a single night’s stay.
  1. Book your stay for during the week
    Mid-week stays are often a lot cheaper than weekend stays. This is because weekend accommodation is in higher demand, as eager families and groups of friends look to have some time away. The weekend demand on accommodation pushes up the prices.
  1. Look for a way to share the costs
    Travelling with a group can lower price as the group can end up sharing the overall costs. And it is not just the accommodation costs that can be cut back when sharing a weekend away. You can also save on food and travel costs when you share.
  2. Opt for self-catering accommodation
    For the most part, any accommodation that falls under the self-catering umbrella is often a lot cheaper than the kind of accommodation that includes meals. If you are happy to make your own meals, then this is a great way to cut back on your budget and save.
Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

5 Things you should do when Staying in a Hotel

Just because you are on holiday does not mean that it is time to throw your manners away. When you are staying in a hotel, there are some things that you should do, and there are plenty of things that you should avoid doing, in order to make your stay, and the stay of your fellow guests as pleasant as possible.

Nelspruit Lodge is a stunning place to escape for a holiday. Whether you choose our accommodation in Nelspruit for your quick weekend getaway, or if you are planning on spending your yearly family holiday with us, you are making a great decision. Not only is your time spent with us relaxing and super comfortable, but we also ensure privacy when you choose to stay with us.

Whether it is your first time at a lodge in Nelspruit or the 50th, when you stay in such accommodation it is important to have some kind of lodge etiquette in mind. These are just 5 things that you should do when you are staying in a hotel.

  1. Keep the noise down
    Even when you are staying in a hotel that promises peace and privacy, you are technically still sharing a space. With this in mind, you can imagine how unpleasant it can be for other guests if you are up late making a noise, or if you are up before the crack of dawn and kicking up a storm. While there might be some cases when you can’t control the noise you make (think about travelling with excited children and babies), you should always consider just how much noise you make when staying at a hotel.
  1. Be kind to staff
    The staff at a hotel play a very special role in making sure that your stay is peaceful and pleasant. So it simply doesn’t do to be rude to hotel staff, no matter how frustrated you might be feeling. Even if you have a complaint, you should be sure to handle it in a polite and professional manner.
  1. Respect the hotel property
    Every part of the hotel, from the telephones to the bedding, is hotel property that you should never damage. You should always treat whatever is in the hotel room as though it is your own which means being very careful with whatever you use. Remember, if you damage property, you could end up literally paying for it.
  1. Hang up towels
    Often towels will be replaced on a daily basis, but this is really unnecessary if you make sure that you hang up the towels after each use so that they can dry out. When you choose to hang up your towels each day, you also won’t be wasting energy, which can then make your stay more eco-friendly.
  2. Check in and out at the right time
    You should never rush the hotel staff to check you in early and you should never check out late either. When you try to check in early or if you check out late, you will be making the life of the hotel staff more difficult than it would otherwise need to be.
5 ways you can become an Eco-Friendly Visitor

5 ways you can become an Eco-Friendly Visitor

To be a part of the “sustainable travel” movement, you need to know what you can do to make your travels eco-friendly.

Sustainable travels are those that take into account the current and the future economic, environmental and social impact that their trip will have.

This practice of travelling is becoming increasingly important as more and more people are able to travel and yet often leave a harmful impact behind them, an impact that they are oblivious to. In order to make sure that the beautiful places we love to visit are able to remain in the best conditions so that future generations can enjoy them, we need to focus on how we can make a difference.

At Nelspruit Lodge, we welcome hundreds of guests into the heart of the Lowveld each year. Some are here on business while others are taking advantage of our warm weather and hospitality while enjoying a fantastic holiday.

If you want to play a part in making sure that your travels are environmentally friendly, then these tips are just for you.

  1. Don’t buy disposable
    There is no doubt that when on the road, or travelling around town, you are going to get thirsty and will end up buying something to drink. But instead of buying plastic water and cold drink bottles, and instead of using paper or plastic coffee cups, you should think about bringing a reusable bottle and a reusable mug.
  1. Support Local
    Every town in South Africa has those small, family owned shops. In Nelspruit, in particular, the economy is largely localised with loads of local brands. Instead of supporting chain stores and chain restaurants, look for the smaller shops and help them stay open by buying from them.
  1. Tour Local
    When you find yourself in the heart of the Lowveld, with the Kruger National Park right on your doorstep, and you are looking for something to do while on your holiday, you can always find a local tour company to take you on a safari or on a tour of a historical town. There are loads of local tour companies in the Nelspruit area, and if you are having trouble finding the right one, you can always ask for our assistance.
  1. Drive don’t fly
    There is no doubt that flying is a lot easier and in some cases safer, but if you were to fly from location to location, then you are leaving a really horrible carbon footprint. Luckily, South Africa has an incredible network of maintained roads that are easy to drive, and then there is always the option of a shared transfer, which can save you loads of money.
  2. Hotel Savings
    Even when you are at the Nelspruit Lodge, there are some things that you can do to ensure that your stay is environmentally friendly. Doing the most basic of things like hanging your towel to dry and then reusing it, not requesting your linen to be changed each morning, and making sure that you bring your own toiletries, can ensure that your travels are more sustainable.
Your 2021 December Lowveld Bucket List

Hoofed Aimals Frequently Seen In The Kruger

Giraffe

Giraffe (genus Giraffa) is a genus of four long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals native to Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest land animals, with males (bulls) reaching heights of over 5.5 meters (18 feet) and females (cows) reaching about 4.5 meters.

They can browse vegetation nearly six meters from the ground using prehensile tongues nearly half a meter long. Giraffes can be found in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, among other places in East Africa, where they can be seen in grasslands and open woodlands.

Kudu

Kudu bulls have huge, large, spiral horns that can reach record lengths of up to 1.8 meters, indicating strong sexual dimorphism. At the age of six, horns reach their maximum length. Bulls also grow to be much larger than cows. Bulls can weigh up to 300 kilograms and have a shoulder height of 1.4 meters, while cows weigh 210 kilograms and have a shoulder height of 1.25 meters. White stripes on flanks that differ greatly in form, scale, and pattern. Tawny-brown to grey-brown coat. White spots on the cheeks and a V-shaped band on the forehead. Long haired manes can be found all the way from the back of the head to the tail, as well as on the lower neck and belly.

African Buffalo

The African Buffalo is a massive and strong bovine with shoulder heights of up to 1.5 meters and a mass of 750 kilograms. Both sexes have horns, with the bulls’ horns having a heavy boss and upward bent horns.

Buffalo herds may have a big effect on the veld’s ecology. As a bulk grazer, they are in charge of transforming long grasslands into short grassy environments that are more suitable for other browsers with more selective feeding habits.

Lions are the main predators. When one of the herd members is threatened, the rest of the herd will run to its defense. A group of buffalo is more than capable of repelling an assault by an entire pride of lions. Hunters consider a wounded buffalo bull as the most lethal, which is one of the reasons why this species is included in the so-called “big five.” Many hunting adventures, myths, and legends are based on this trait.

Burchells Zebra

The body stripes are less and wider than those of the Cape Mountain Zebra, and they stretch across the belly. Leg striping is not as noticeable. At the hip, he stands 1.3 to 1.4 meters tall and weighs 300-320 kilograms. They have rounded ears that measure 160-170 mm in length. Between the ears, the front part of the mane forms a black tuft.

It is primarily a grazer that feeds in areas with short grass. Zebras have a solid, sensitive upper lip that they use to collect herbage by collecting it between the lip and the lower incisors before plucking it. Burchell’s Zebras live in small groups, usually consisting of one stallion and one mare with their offspring. Bachelor classes are made up of non-breeding stallions. Stallions in the herd range in age from four to twelve years old. Family groups congregate in large numbers around water holes and preferred grazing areas.

They are sometimes seen alongside wildebeest, other plains antelope, and baboons.

You can see these animals while on a safari after your stay with us.