Jan 26, 2022 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Accommodation, Nelspruit Lodge
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Nov 18, 2021 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Lodge
With the December holiday’s knocking at the door after what can only be described as another hard and uncertain year, treating yourself and your family to a happy getaway, even if it is just for a weekend, is something that should be as jam packed as possible.
The Nelspruit area is an absolutely perfect place to have a holiday. Not only is the weather exquisite but when you are looking for accommodation in Nelspruit, you have an array of fantastic options, of which a stay at Nelspruit Lodge should be at the very top of your list.
At Nelspruit Lodge, we are a centrally located place to stay, and we have some of the most comfortable, family friendly rooms and amenities. When at our lodge, you will have every expectation met and because of where we are, you can plan to do all sorts of activities, many of which are so close to the lodge that you can easily go out for a day of fun before returning to the comfort of the lodge in the evening.
Things to do closer to town
You don’t have to travel hours away from Nelspruit in order to get to some of the best activities. When planning your activities, these are just some of the things that you can enjoy doing closer to town:
- The Market Scene
The market culture in Nelspruit has enjoyed something of a revival in the past 2 years and this means visitors can get a taste of all things local when they spend some time exploring the market scene.
The market will play host to countless small businesses and is the perfect place to do a little early Christmas shopping.
- A Walk in the Gardens
Getting out in nature is one way to overcome the year’s troubles and make the most of the summer heat. The Lowveld Botanical Gardens used to be well out of town, but these days the town is growing around the gardens. If you want to spend some time in the gardens, why not pack a picnic basket and make a day of it?
- Dinner in Mozambik
Not the country, the restaurant! Situated in Ferreira Street, Mozambik is an up and coming place to eat and they are known for serving up a range of delicious Mozambique inspired meals.
Things to do further from Nelspruit
If you are able to travel a little further, head to these places.
- Barberton
Go for a historical walk through Barberton and fall back in love with the small town living and the vibrant surrounding nature. The historical walk will cost you just the petrol it takes to get there.
- Go to the Kruger
If you haven’t been able to indulge in a self-drive safari lately, then now is the perfect time to go on a Kruger Park safari.
- Head to Kaapsehoop
To escape from the suffocating heat and to enjoy a walk in the mountains, you can head up to Kaapsehoop for the day.
Aug 31, 2021 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Accommodation, Nelspruit Lodge
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Jul 23, 2021 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Accommodation, Nelspruit Lodge
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Nov 27, 2020 | Nelspruit Accommodation, Nelspruit Lodge, Things to in and around Nelspruit
The holidays are only a few weeks away and if there was ever a time to treat yourself to a holiday in Mpumalanga, it is now.
2020 has taken been one for the history books. To recharge from this most intense year, we invite you to bring yourself and your family to our beautiful province where you can embark on exciting day trips that will take you to the most unforgettable places. From weekend getaways to full week holidays, our province is that perfect, refreshing escape.
Hiking, historical tours, trips to waterfalls and nature reserves, and simply walking through nature and enjoying the clear skies and warm air, are all on the cards. And since our province is but a short drive from the cities, there is no need to worry about travelling too far from home.
A world of adventure is right on your doorstep and when you choose to stay at Nelspruit Lodge, you can look forward to the best accommodation in Mpumalanga, as well as our assistance when it comes to booking your days’ adventure!
What to do on your holiday?
If you are not yet sure where you can go and what the best things to do are, in this blog we are going to share some of the must see places and experiences.
The Barberton area, with its rich history and exemplary geological wonders, is the perfect starting point. The town is just a 30 minute scenic drive from nearby Nelspruit, and there is plenty to do here. Ideally, you should start at the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountainland. This is a World Heritage Site and it has various rock structures which date back some 3.5 billion years. The best way to see the area is to visit the geotrail. On this easy to navigate route, which can be travelled in any kind of vehicle, you will have a real view of what the world looked like before the time of the dinosaurs. And the spectacular rocks found here are only found in one other place in the world!
Pilgrim’s Rest is another off the beaten track place worth visiting. This ancient town still has the homes and buildings that were built during the gold rush era, although most have now been transformed into shops and restaurants.
Close to Pilgrim’s Rest is another must-visit place, Graskop. During the lockdown, this small town, which relies heavily on tourism, was severely rocked and now that we can travel again, making a turn here won’t only be a fantastic holiday experience, it will be directly helping the local economy get back on its feet. While here, make sure you visit The Graskop Gorge Lift. The only one of its kind in Mpumalanga, the lift is designed to take tourists to the bottom of the gorge and into the natural forest below. Visitors walk the wooden walkways and the suspension bridge as they make their way through the woods.
Other Notable Attractions
- The Kruger National Park. Since it is a mere 45 or so minutes away, a day trip into the world’s oldest conservation effort, especially if you haven’t been there before is a must.
- Adam’s Calendar. Up above Nelspruit lies the village of Kaapsehoop. Home to the wild horses, this place is also where you will see what is considered to be one of the oldest man-made structures on earth, known as Adam’s Calendar.
- Okay, it’s not all that close to Nelspruit, but it is well-worth the visit. Chrissiesmeer is South Africa’s version of the Lake District and its beautiful attractions make it the perfect getaway.
Sep 11, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge, News
Snakes have gotten a somewhat bad reputation for being all dangerous, deadly and downright terrifying. Unfortunately, this causes many people to develop a fear for these reptiles and antagonizing any snake they come across. There are however, many snakes that are quite harmless and are non-venomous and do not provide any threat to anyone when bitten. Many snakes are actually quite passive and avoid any conflict with people, only resulting to biting when there is no other option.
Here are however some snakes that are harmless and snakes whose bites do not cause any necessary medical attention.
Brown House Snake
Surely the most common snake that can be found in urban areas. The brown house snake is very popular with pet owners who are thinking of taking on a snake. They are primarily a light brown red colour with faint dark brown markings along its body. When bitten by a House snake, you will only feel the pain of the bite and that’s about it. Those who are more susceptible to allergies may feel a slight reaction but nothing more.
Olive Grass Snake
The Olive Grass Snake is a solitary snake that is mildly venomous but do not require any medical attention. The Olive Grass Snake is a dark brown snake that has two pale yellow lines stretching from its head to its tail. They have a darker diamond pattern under the yellow stripes with a white underside. These are usually the snakes that are seen killed on roads as they frequently cross to get to the other side.
Karoo Sand Snake
The Karoo Sand Snake is a light brown, sandy coloured snake with darker brown top and much paler sides. These snakes are also venomous but their bites do not require any medical attention if the case arises. The Karoo Sand Snake is a very active snake that is active during the hottest parts of the day, chasing down its prey. These snakes are somewhat aggressive and will not hesitate to bite when
Rhombic Egg Eater
The Rhombic Egg Eater is a roughly scaled snake that has a similar appearance to a Puff adder with a few noticeable differences. The Rhombic Egg Eater is a dusty brown snake with dark diamond shaped patterns and stripes along its back. It has grey brown underside and a round, stumpy head. This snake is non venomous and mainly avoids interacting with people. They are relatively active during birding season and can go months without feeding.
Mole Snake
The Mole Snake is a rather beautiful snake that has a caramel colour that has brown and white bars along its back. Its underside is a pale caramel colour and has brown red eyes as an adult and goes completely brown when an adult. These snakes are non-venomous as they are constrictors that will not hesitate to bite when handles.
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