Jun 15, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
The Lowveld is a place that has plenty of stunning wildlife, from majestic felines like the Lion, powerful giants like the Elephant, beautiful birds like the African Fish Eagle and mysterious predators like the Crocodile. The Lowveld is also known for a large variety of plantlife and beautiful trees. Trees Decorate the landscape with a variety of different sizes and colours. Trees can be iconic to an area and can provide a very unique feel to an area.
The Baobab
The Baobab is by far South Africa’s most iconic and distinctive tree. The Baobab is known worldwide for its very wide, fleshy trunk and a crown that spreads very widely at the top. There is an African legend that says that a giant child of the gods had once pulled a baobab out of the ground at put it back upside down which defines the root like appearance of the crown. The Baobab can grow up to 25m tall and can live astoundingly long, some being up to 4 000 years old.
Kiaat
Kiaats are beautiful trees that are mainly limited in the Pretoriuskop area, where they grow quite predominantly in the area. Kiaats are rather slow growers and prefer very sandy areas. Elephants love the Kiaat tree. Kiaat trees have a very beautiful and deep colour that is used a lot for wood sculptures that can be seen in the Kruger National Park. Kiaats have iconic roundish pods and beautiful yellow flowers, which bloom in the summer.
Knob Thorn
The Knob Thorn is the third most common tree in the Kruger Park but also the Lowveld, although they are rarer in the Lowveld. The Knob Thorn is a medium sized tree that has a wide spreading crown, growing up to 16m tall. The Knob thorn is easily recognizable by its Bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer Months. The Tree’s iconic feature is the knob shaped thorns that are a bit more conspicuous in younger trees. The pods of the Knob Thorn turns black during the winter
Red Bushwillow
The Red Bushwillow is a very unique and beautiful tree and is a staple favourite for browsers. Many animals in the Kruger National Park that browse can mostly be seen near these trees. Red Bushwillow trees are very beautiful and can be seen in a large variety of areas in and around the lowveld. These trees are so beautiful and can decorate an area beautifully. The trees got its name from the reddish colour the leaves turn during the winter months. These trees are very drought resistant and are seen as a main source of food for browsers during droughts. The leaves of a Red Bushwillow are actually mildly poisonous that can cause prolonged hiccupping The Red Bushwillow is the second most popular and common tree in the Kruger National Park as well. The fruits of a Red Bushwillow grow in bunches of small winged clusters that ripen during the late summer months.
May 6, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
Nature has an awesome and shocking method of surprizing us and indicating the quality and strength of getting by in an automated world. There are troops of monkeys and primates that watch the avenues and huge prides of lions that standard the Kruger to different types of eland that can be found in the mountains and valleys of the Lowveld and surprize creatures, for example, the wild ox, the panther, zebra and giraffe. There are likewise a great deal of ruthless winged creatures that movement around in the skies of the Lowveld following their prey and ambushing them from above
African Goshawk
The African Goshawk is one of the most well-known and famous raptors in South Africa. These winged creatures have seen a decrease in their populace on the grounds that their natural surroundings have been on the decay as of later. The African Goshawk likes to live in increasingly lush territories rather than open fields as they discover more assurance in the trees. They go after littler prey like reptiles, fowls, rodents and bats. Goshawks don’t go a long way from their homes and rather chase around their homes for simple access. The female is somewhat bigger in size than the male is, yet her plumes are not as rufous.
African Fish Eagle
The African Fish Eagle is one of the most notable creatures in the lowveld as well as the entire of Africa. The African Fish Eagle is regularly heard some time before it is spotted on account of its notable and acclaimed cluck/whistle. The African Fish Eagle has a white neck and head with a brilliant yellow snout. The remainder of the body has earthy colored promotion dark plumes and has long and sharp claws. These astonishing flying creatures live near water sources that give them a lot of food and water and frequently fabricate their homes in trees near the water. These feathered creatures mate forever and frequently has different homes they travel between.
White Headed Vulture
The White Headed Vulture is one of the most seasoned endemic winged creature species in Africa. They have rather low populace numbers in view of overwhelming natural surroundings constraints. These, in the same way as other different vultures, feed on corpses of creatures left over from a chase. They can frequently benefit from littler creatures like mongoose, reptiles, rabbits and furthermore littler feathered creatures. These flying creatures have the famous Bleach white head and dusty earthy colored quills that make them mix into their sandy surroundings.
Bateleur Eagle
The Bateleur falcon is a famous winged creature that can basically be found in the Kruger National Park and with scarcely any sightings of them around the Park. The Bateleur has multi shaded plumes of red, dim, earthy colored and dark. Bateleurs incline toward the drier and sandy regions with where it is hot. Bateleurs are ground-breaking winged creatures that can chase impala, reptiles, snakes, remains and rodents. These flying creatures invest a lot of energy noticeable all around, as long as 9 hours noticeable all around. These winged animals have been known to chase prey that are marginally bigger than them
May 6, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
Nelspruit is located in a beautiful area of the Lowveld. The Area surrounding Nelspruit, and the roads to Nelspruit, are some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in South Africa. There are beautiful forests, views, valleys and mountains with so many animals and beautiful plantlife. Because there are so many beautiful natural places to visit in the lowveld, It is a great idea to talk about some of the great and memorable hiking trails you can visit so you can experience nature uninterrupted and untouched.
Beestekraalspruit
The Beestekraalspruit Hiking Trail is a beautiful trail that takes you through plantations right at the start. You travel through the plantation and through the indigenous forests until you reach the the edge of the Beestekraalspruit cliff. From the cliff, you travel down the cliff and criss cross through the spruit crossing multiple bridges that that span over tiny rivers and small gaps. The bridges make up about 4km of the total trail length. After crossing the Stream you will slowly start making your way back to the start of the trail. There are plenty of beautiful sights from the green valleys to the amazing views from the top of the trail.
Berlin Trail
One of the most beautiful trails in the Loweveld, The Berlin trail is located near Kaapschehoop. Kaapschehoop is already a beautiful place with stunning views. The trail is a rather long one that takes you up the mountain, weaving through the plantation to a breath taking sight. The top of the trail gives you an unbelievable view of the Lowveld down below. The top of the trail is very high up and has a sheer drop, but what you see from the top is something you will not easily forget. The Trail is a rather tough trail but the payoff is more than worth it.
Zongororo Trail
The Zongororo trail is a beautiful trail that is located about 5km from Waterval-Boven. The trail is a rather short trail that is only 7km in length. Though the trail is so short, you have plenty of beautiful things to see. You will make your way through the mountains and through plains where you have amazing views of the Elands Valley. You will be crossing perennial streams while traveling the trail and up through the indigenous mountains. The trail is a rather tricky trail but there are plenty of worthwhile and memorable sights
Houtbosloop Trail
The Houtbosloop Trail is a wonderful two day trail that takes you through stunning foothills and through plateaus. There are plenty of streams before reaching your overnight stay at Lisabon. The Second day of this amazing trail will take you through the Houtbosloop Valley. As you make your way through the tour, you will be surrounded by indigenous forests. Passing through the forests you will make your way to the Sour Bushveld and the very rare Northern-Eastern Mountain Sourveld. There are plenty of amazing sights to behold while travelling on this amazing route.
May 6, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
Mpumalanga is known for many things, from amazing tourist attractions like God’s Window, Kaapchehoop, Sabie and Chip Eden to natural sights like Mac Mac Falls, Lisabon falls and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The Lowveld has also got plenty of beautiful trees and plants. The plants in the Lowveld are stunning and very colourful, decorating the landscape with stunning colours. Lets talk about some of the beautiful flowers that can be found decorating the Lowveld with their stunning colours
The Flame Lily
The Flame Lily is a very unique and stunning flower that is classified as a climbing herb. The Flame lily has very glossy leaves that also curl around at the tip. The Flame Lily supports its growth by climbing up hedges and fences. The Flame lily has beautifully coloured petals that represent flames, with colours like red, yellow and orange. Flame lilies can be seen growing in dry areas and sprawls across rocks, bushes and thickets. The Flame Lily is the National Flower of Zimbabwe. The Flame Lily, with its upwards growing leaves and the flame colours makes it look like a flame, which is also how the flower got its name.
River Crinum
The River Crinum is a strange flower that grows from a long dark green and robust tree like stem. The flowers erupt from the top of this robust stem like water spraying from a fountain. The Flowers of the River Crinum are bell shaped and droop down from the large stem. The colour of the flower petals are a snowy white or a pale pink, with tiny brown stems protruding from the middle of each flower. When budding, the flower buds are a beautiful pink. The River Crinum is a very common flower that grows in a variety of different environments. The River Crinum is also used in the medical industry but care must be taken as the plat may contain toxins.
Wild Hibiscus
The Wild Hibiscus is one of the most common and popular flowers in South Africa. The Wild Hibiscus is one of many yellow, five petal plants I the large hibiscus family. Wild Hibiscuses grow in large treelike bushes with leaves that are covered in fine, star shaped hairs. The Colour of the Wild Hibiscus is a beautiful yellow on the rim of the leaves and a stunning pink in the middle.
Water Hyacinth
The Water Hyacinth is a beautiful and fleshy plant that lives and grows on the surface of water and near water sources. It is a highly invasive alien species with origins in South America. The Water Hyacinth is a beautiful bright purple flower that grows from very fleshy stems. This plant one of the most devastating invasive plants in the country and is known to completely absorb nutrience from water sources and other organisms as well as suffocating water waterways. All attempts to eradicate these persistent plants have brought very little rewards. These plants can often be seen in large patches on the surface of the water.
Apr 9, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
While most of the world remains in lockdown and travel is the furthest thing from everyone’s mind, the future seems a little bit uncertain. What is certain however, is that when the storm passes, businesses will open up and we will begin to travel again.
If you’re sitting at home consuming news, and feeling a certain amount of anxiety about the future, why not refocus your energy on something more positive? Like day dreaming about your post COVID-19 holiday.
The tourism industry is without a doubt one of many industries currently taking a huge, possibly long lasting knock from the impact of both the virus and the lockdown, but once the world returns to a new sort of normal, there will never be a better time to see your own country.
South Africa is a beautiful country and is home to all sorts of magnificent attractions that are waiting to be explored. And since money is possibly going to be tight after this virus and this lockdown, not only will we be unlikely to travel abroad (for financial and health reasons), but we should be focusing on putting money back into your economy and supporting local business.
A Proudly South African Bucket List
Local is lekker. Not one South African can deny that. When planning your holiday, you don’t have to go far to have a genuine, relaxing experience. Many of the best destinations are right on your doorstep, all you need to know is where to look.
Go on safari
After so much time being indoors, something that you might argue is so not like us South Africans, one of the first trips that you should plan is a safari. Did you know that we have some of the most magical safari destinations on the planet? And if you plan on travelling to the Lowveld, one destination you need to stop at is of course, the Kruger National Park.
Hike the Drakensberg
There is nothing quite as invigorating as brisk walk through the mountains and there is no range quite as magnificent as the Drakensberg. There are a variety of places you can depart from for a hike in the mountains and numerous places to stay while you are visiting.
Tour Wild Coast
One of the last, hidden treasures in many ways, the Wild Coast, which stretches along South Africa’s Eastern Cape coastline is filled with unbelievable places to explore. While in the area, if you travel just a bit further south, you’ll find the Tsitsikamma National Park, which encompasses mountains, rivers, forests and beaches. It is so easy to fall in love with the Wild Coast and if you haven’t been there before, add it to your list.
Haenertsburg
A quaint village perched on the edge of the escarpment in the Limpopo Province, Haenertsburg is an adventure filled, picturesque escape from the world. With forests and mountains, and so much to keep you occupied, including tours of the forest canopy and all sorts of hiking adventures, this is the perfect destination for South Africans.
If your bucket list brings you close to Nelspruit, let Nelspruit Lodge be your host. We have a selection of beautiful rooms and a vibrantly friendly staff waiting to ensure that you make the most of your next holiday.
Apr 6, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
It’s a strange time to be alive, and while we are all on lockdown, with little more to do than wait it out, there is one way that you can keep yourself and your family entertained, if you have access to the web.
Since we can’t travel right now, many people are turning to the digital world to take part in a virtual tour. From famous destinations to museums and other interesting places, a quick Google search will present you with a range of interesting options that will not only educate you but keep you entertained for hours on end.
To narrow down your list and make your search that little bit easier, we’ve sourced a few of the best virtual tours that you can do today.
- The Louvre
A museum in the heart of Paris, The Louvre is not only world famous but it is also the one place that everyone visiting Paris hopes to visit (although the queue to get in can be off putting). The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and with an online tour, you can visit all sorts of exhibits. See the famous Egyptian Antiquities, which features pieces from the Pharaonic Period, the Galerie d’Apollon, and the Remains of the Louvre’s Moat.
- The Vatican MuseumVisit Italy via the web and see the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Room, and St Peter’s Basilica. Other virtual tours available on the site include the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis, the Excavations of St. John Lateran, and you can view an impressive collection of art.
You will be entertained for hours on end while touring and will learn all sorts of amazing things.
- NASAWe all watched space programmes as children, and we all had day dreams about launching off the planet and exploring the stars. You can revisit your childhood when you explore the virtual tours offered by NASA. The virtual tours are offered by various NASA facilities, including the one in Ohio and the one in Virginia. These tours are free. To find more, you can visit the NASA website.
- Machu PicchuIn Peru, South America, this Inca site draws many people year after year. It was built in AD1450 and it sits on top of a mountain, literally. The amazing thing about this historical site is that it was built without help from wheels or animals. A 360 virtual tour is freely available online and it is immensely enlightening.
- Pyramids of GizaTravel to Cairo and beyond to see the famous Pyramids of Giza. Built more than 4500 years ago as grandiose tombs of the Pharaohs, these structures are almost certainly going to awaken your inner Indiana Jones. This virtual tour will bring the Pyramids into your home and give you the opportunity to see why they are a magnificent testament to mankind’s perseverance and ingenuity.
While you are unable to travel right now, a virtual tour might be just what you need.
Nelspruit Lodge wishes everyone a safe lockdown and we will see everyone very soon. In the meantime, stay safe, stay sane, and stay home.
Recent Comments