Nov 28, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Uncategorized
A lot of our visitors ask us about Nelspruit’s nightlight. It’s only natural that when visiting a new town, or revisiting it for that matter, that you will want to spend at least one night out on the town!
Now, Nelspruit has never been overly well known for having much of an exciting nightlife. In fact, many a young person would describe the town as quite dull. But we disagree. There is plenty to do in the evenings when in Nelspruit and the surrounding areas, especially if you are a foodie.
So, to help you guide yourself around our ever growing little city, we are going to share some of the best places to spend an evening out.
- Picasso’s
Okay, so it’s not in Nelspruit. It’s a 25 minute drive away in the chic town of White River, just up the mountain in the cooler, fresh air. But Picasso’s is an amazing place to spend your evening. The vibe is jumping, the people are friendly and the food is Mexican. What more could you ask for? Picasso’s has been able to perfectly balance that city feeling with the laidback Lowveld atmosphere to create a relaxed eatery that is unique to our part of the world. The menu is flavourful and affordable, making it the perfect place to relax and grab a spicy bite.
3. Gumtreez
While in White River, let’s stay there for a bit. Just across the road from Picasso’s, you’ll find Gumtreez. Aptly named after the stunning Blue Gum Trees that sway in the breeze, sheltering the outdoor dining area, this eatery is more of a bar than a restaurant but the food is to die for. Instead of visiting in the evening, it might be best to pop in on a Saturday afternoon, and just soak up that quiet, relaxed feeling you’ll enjoy the moment you walk in.
4. Kuzuri
Just down the road from Nelspruit Lodge lies the upmarket, fashionable restaurant Kuzuri. Known for its stylish ambience and exciting menu, Kuzuri has been a favourite among many a local diner looking for a more formal and romantic atmosphere. It’s literally a walk away although we suggest driving as you’ll be so full of good food, walking back won’t sound like such a romantic option!
5. The Jock
This pub and grill will come up time and again on all sorts of lists. It is a much-loved Lowveld favourite and its location, as well as its chilled vibe, makes it incredibly popular among both young and old locals. The menu here is hearty and you can never think that they are anything but over generous with their portions. It’s a great place to treat yourself to lunch while at night it’s the best place to have a drink.
We might not be the biggest city in the country, but we know how to entertain…and how to prepare some amazing food.
And after all of your adventuring, you can retire to the comfort of your Nelspruit accommodation and unwind.
Nov 25, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Uncategorized
Summers in Nelspruit are truly something else. They provide the perfect beach weather, without the beach. We have the humidity, the blazing sunlit days and even the palm trees. The only thing we lack is the sea. But that aside, summer is without a doubt our favourite season and one that brings a lot of business to our city!
When the summer break comes, the best place to book your Nelspruit accommodation is at Nelspruit Lodge. We have air conditioned bedrooms and a swimming pool. Outdoor meals and cool evening breezes. We have everything you could need to stay cool and relaxed during your summer holiday in Nelspruit.
Temperatures
We have the pleasure of enjoying a far longer summer than most parts of South Africa. While many parts of the country have only 3 months out of the year that can be called summer, we have up to 6 months of delightful heat (delightful depending on who you ask).
The summer temperatures often soar to 35 degrees Celsius or more. And this is not your average kind of heat. Instead, it is accompanied by humidity that will make you want to spend each afternoon lazing in our pool. When the sun sets each evening, the temperature tends to stay toasty and you can expect the temperatures to remain in the high 20’s.
Rainfall
We live in a summer rainfall region. Summers in our part of the world also often end with quick and temperamental thundershowers. The clouds can be seen forming early in the afternoon and they are quite incredible to watch. On average our part of the world receives 780 mm of rain each year.
Into January, one of our hottest months, the local rivers will often flood. Seeing the roaring Crocodile River in flood is quite a sight. Guests to the town can visit the Lowveld Botanical Gardens to get the best sights of this raging river. A visit to the gardens is a must for anyone interested in seeing the indigenous plants in full bloom.
What to do during the summer
Once the days start slowing down and becoming longer than usual, getting out there and exploring is a must for every holiday maker. Apart from seeing all of the local historical towns or hitting the shops, you might want to soak up some of the precious sunlight and just relax.
There are two ways you can do this. Firstly, our town is surrounded by some of the most picturesque dams. You don’t have to pay a cent to visit certain dams and you can spend the whole day close to the waters edge, swimming, tanning and enjoying a braai. We recommend visiting Witklip dam, which you can easily find out on the Sabie Road.
The other option is to head to the Mafunyane Water Park at Riverside Mall. You can take a dip in the swimming pools or get your heart pumping on the water slides.
Summer is the best time to enjoy a holiday in Nelspruit and the best place to book your comfortable Nelspruit accommodation would be at our lodge. We’ll keep you cool in the heat!
Sep 15, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge
Travelling in and Around Graskop
While visiting Nelspruit, it is well worth your while to take in the beautiful surrounding areas. Graskop is one of those small towns sitting neatly on the Panorama Route. It was once a popular tourist destination, mostly for those passing through, while now it has firmly fixated itself as a must visit place. This small town serves the timber industry, with plantations surrounding the town and back in the day, it was a gold mining camp that dates back to the 1880’s.
The town itself is a great place to stop for lunch and pick up a few souvenirs but most visitors will find the real adventures just outside the town.
The Waterfalls
Scattered around Graskop you will be able to view several waterfalls. Lisbon Falls is said to be one of the most scenic in the area. The Lisbon River separates into three before tumbling 94 meters over a semi-circle rock face, making the Lisbon Falls the highest in the province. The Lisbon Falls are easily accessible for tourists and while you are there why not pack a picnic basket as there are picnic spots available under the shade of lovely trees.
Tumbling down 80 meters from the Sabie River is the Berlin Falls. This waterfall cascades into the most beautiful jade coloured pool below and is surrounded by red cliffs. The Berlin Falls are best observed from the platform above.
Not the highest but by far the most stunning, the Mac Mac Falls plummets 70 meters into a gorge below. Mac Mac Falls is split in two but was not always so. Back in the gold rush days, gold miners actually blasted the rock in an attempt to reach the gold-bearing reef behind the falls thereby splitting the falls into two. During the dry season, you will find that the falls revert back to one stream. Mac Mac Falls has a braai and picnic area as well as several pools where you can cool off after a day of sight-seeing. Mac Mac Falls also has a 3km “Secretary Bird Trail” which offers a delightful walk through the bush.
The Best Views
If you looking for a one of a kind experience, a definite must is a visit to the Graskop Gorge Lift. Guests can hop into this passenger elevator and travel down 51 meters of cliff face into the lush green forest below. Once down in the forest, you will find a massive network of trails made up of suspension bridges and elevated walkways. Also to be seen from the walkways is the Panorama Gorge Falls that stem from the Motitsi River, before crashing down 70 meters into the gorge below. Small retail outlets, a bar and restaurant are balanced on the edge of the cliff and make this an unforgettable experience.
Go Hiking
Finally, you can take a hike on a three-hour circular trail that starts and ends at the Graskop Holiday Resort. This hiking trail is known as the Jock of the Bushveld or Fairyland hike, and is roughly 8km long. Walking along the escapement, you will find yourself overlooking the Pinnacle Gorge. En route you will pass Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s overnight camp as well as pass some oddly shaped rocks known as Fairyland. The only expense you will have on this walk, is the price of your sunscreen, as there is precious little shade.
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Book your stay at Nelspruit Lodge and experience the vibrancy of Mpumalanga. Our Nelspruit accommodation is affordably priced and centrally located, making it ideal for tourists and those visiting on business.
Sep 10, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge
(1884 – 1970)
Nelspruit has come a long way, and all of those little bits of interesting history that we come across in the books, have contributed to what the town has become. In this blog, we look back briefly over the history of the town, that has now become Mbombela.
1884
In August 1884 a report was published in the Government Gazette after Railway surveyors met with the Nel Brothers and Nelspruit took its first steps towards becoming a town by being given official recognition.
1889
120 stands are set out around the station for future development.
1892
The railways from Lourenco Marques reaches Nelspruit on the 20 June. In November the Hall family opened its doors to a hotel, mainly to accommodate railway workers. The hotel named “The Figtree Hotel” was to be the first building erected in town.
1905
Nelspruit is proclaimed and the land made available for buyers.
1913
Nelspruit gets its first telephone exchange in February. In August the Lowveld Farmers Association had its first meeting, at the Figtree Hotel.
1916
The first Barclays Bank opens its doors in this year and it is also the year the first school was established in Nelspruit.
1918
In 1918 the first Post Office opened up.
1922
Nelspruit has an upgrade, it is now officially a town.
1925
Following a visit from an American professor, Nelspruit is advised to establish a Research Institute. 300 acres are set aside and the station begins operating in 1926.
Peter Wilhelm, the chair of the Nelspruit Town Council meets the Prince of Wales.
1927
Ivan Solomon is now the sole owner of Crocodile estates, previously owned by British investors, an area consisting of 601 plots, each 5 acres in size. The streets of Nelspruit are lined with freshly planted trees and by July the first motor car is seen in these streets. The road from Johannesburg to Komatipoort is also completed in 1927.
1931
Rio Rita, the first talking movie is screened in Nelspruit at the Farmers Hall. Due to the increase in motor vehicles, a registration system is put into place for local vehicles. Nelspruit now has its own magisterial district and by November a licensing committee is established.
1932
Although the Great Depression is at its worst, Nelspruit got its first truck!
1933
Electricity comes to town, thanks to a hydroelectric dam.
1934
Nelspruit District Publicity Association is established and the motto “Nelspruit, the Hub of the Lowveld” motto is born.
1937
Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden now has a road joining them via Mara.
1939
Although WW2 breaks out this year, Nelspruit’s new hotel the Paragon opens its doors. And even though the Lowveld experiences major floods, the Longmere Dam is completed.
1940
In October the Nelspruit Council is established and its first mayor is elected. This year also sees Nelspruit get its first swimming pool.
1947
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II visits Nelspruit and receives furniture as a gift. Nelspruit extension 2 and West Acres are laid out for housing.
1949
Volkskas Bank now has its first branch in Nelspruit. Hoerskool Nelspruit grounds hosts the first “Nelspruit Show”.
1951
Nelspruit branch of the Land Bank opens in August.
1953
The streets, that previously just had numbers, now get named.
1962
The first hospital in Nelspruit, Rob Ferreira Hospital, is completed.
1964
Nelspruit Laerskool is opened, with 1384 students. The town gets an enlarged police station and Sappi plants its first plantation.
1965
Nelspruit has grown and now sports 1200 homes and 260 registered businesses.
1969
The Botanical Gardens is established as a tourist attraction and also a Scientific Research Station.
1970
The first English High School opens its doors, Lowveld High School.
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And just as the town has grown, Nelspruit Lodge has become the best place to stay in Nelspruit. Our accommodation is both comfortable and affordable, and we welcome guests from all over the country to stay with us the next time they find themselves in town.
Aug 31, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Things to in and around Nelspruit
A small town, nestled in the mountains, well away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Sabie is the place to escape to.
Nelspruit accommodation is generally preferable because it means you get to stay in the perfect central location from which you can visit all of the surrounding towns and interesting areas. Sabie is one of those small towns you have to visit!
Sabie is a forestry town about 40km away from Nelspruit. The drive itself is quite an experience all on its own. Either route you choose to take will present the most stunning landscapes filled with forests and mountains. During the winter months, the mountain route might not be the best of ideas, as the mist is thick and creates a danger for motorists.
Once you enter the town, you will experience two things: a laid back atmosphere, and depending on when you visit, a town filled with bikers! Because of the stunning roads that make up the Panorama Route, this part of the world is a biker’s paradise and it lures both local bikers and those looking for a weekend escape from Pretoria and Johannesburg.
How to get the most out of your visit
Sabie is a great place to go for lunch but it is also the perfect place to go exploring. The region is well known for its hiking trails and numerous waterfalls.
Stay for the day
You can accomplish a lot in one day. Heading to the town in the early morning will give you enough time to do some hiking, see a few waterfalls and then treat yourself to a late lunch at one of the many eateries before returning to your Nelspruit accommodation. The Woodsman and the Sabie Brewing Company both offer affordable delicious meals and great company. You can also explore the second hand bookshop and fill your bag with a few local curios.
Stay for more than a day
If you are an outdoorsy kind of person, you couldn’t ask for a better place to go exploring. There is a Sabie Waterfall Route that you can follow. It includes a combination of driving and hiking to get you to the various locations, so packing comfortable shoes, drinks and a snack is a must. If you are going to be visiting the waterfalls, you should pack something warm. Even in the middle of summer, the shaded waterfalls beneath a thick canopy of trees can drastically lower the summer temperatures. Now is also a good time to mention that the temperatures of Nelspruit and Sabie differ quite drastically. With Sabie being a mountain town, the humidity that Nelspruit experiences during the summer is virtually non-existent.
Some of the must see waterfalls include the Sabie Falls, the Lone Creek Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls.
Nelspruit Lodge offers some of the finest accommodation in Nelspruit. Plan your stay with us and include a trip to Sabie.
Aug 20, 2018 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Lodge
Planning on a trip to our small city but not quite sure where you will be laying your head?
Nelspruit accommodation comes in all shapes, sizes, and comforts. Not all lodges are made the same, but when you stay in our town you will find all types of interesting places to stay. From upmarket, secluded accommodation with a spectacular view of the city (and with quite the price tag) to comfortable, homely places, with the perfect location, like ours, you will be presented with a list as long as your arm once you start looking online. And let’s face it, looking online makes the search so much easier.
So why choose us?
Our location is without a doubt one of our best qualities. We’re centrally located which means you are close to a few landmarks including Ilanga Mall, Sonpark Center, and the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, as well as medical facilities including Nelmed and Medi-Clinic. Whether you are visiting the town on business or for a holiday, it is good to be staying in a place where you can easily get around.
The other great reason to stay with us is because our accommodation is both comfortable and stylish. In each of our rooms, you will find the most comfortable beds as well as other furniture to make your stay with us a memorable one. Our accommodation is ideal for holidaymakers and business people alike. With affordable prices and a variety of rooms to choose from, you can afford luxury without breaking the bank.
Then there are our other services to consider. 
While we have some of the best rooms in town, we also have other services and facilities that are guaranteed to make your stay all the more relaxing. If you are not keen on hitting the town at night to find a place to eat, you can always dine in at our small restaurant of sorts. We don’t cater to those not staying with us, but we love to spoil our guests with hearty meals!
Our unique set menu serves up the perfect breakfasts between 07:00 and 10:00, while dinner is a home-style meal.
After a busy day exploring the town and surrounding areas, or perhaps stuck in a business meeting negotiating important deals, our hotel in Nelspruit offers the quiet sanctuary in which to retreat. Unwind before dinner by taking a walk around the garden or by taking a dip in the pool.
To make our accommodation in Nelspruit even more comfortable we have free high-speed Wi-Fi, selected DSTV channels in the bedrooms, air-conditioning, free ice, a laundry service and 24 hour security to keep you feeling safe and secure throughout your stay.
So does Nelspruit Lodge sound like the perfect place to stay? Why not book your room today and experience true Nelspruit hospitality?
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