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!
Jun 2, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
When on holiday or just away for the weekend nobody want to think of illness or accidents. But accidents happen and people do get sick so it’s good to know where to go for the best medical care. Nelspruit has several emergency services centres to choose from, all offering super care. And the town also has a number of ambulance services available.
At Nelspruit Lodge, we have a list of all of Nelspruit’s emergency services and to give you a little more insight into where you can medical assistance when you are new to the town.
Urgent Care
Urgent Care opened its doors in 2014 and is centrally located. It was opened in conjunction with an Urgent Care run ER facility at Medi-Clinic. The idea of Urgent Care is to handle all kinds of non-life threatening illness or injuries. The facility is open between 8h00 am and 8h30 pm every day, and that includes weekend and public holidays. The facility is easily accessible for both patients and emergency vehicles. The medical facility is accessible for young and old, and it caters to patients in wheelchairs. The facility provides the convenience of a pharmacy, x-ray rooms and a laboratory in the same building. The general practitioners at Urgent Care are proficient in handling most cases that are not life-threatening. At this facility, there is no need for appointments.
Nelmed Medi-Cross
Nelmed Group Practice is part of the Medi-Cross Group and offers non-stop medical services. At Nelmed they offer services by appointment and they also assist walk in illness or emergency patients. The doctors at this facility also do not offer life threatening services but are equipped to assist with lacerations, illnesses and fractures. The facility has a pharmacy on the premises, a laboratory, as well as an x-ray department. Nelmed is open seven days a week from 7h00 in the morning to 8h00 at night. They have their own parking area which includes parking for the disabled as well as ambulances. In the same building, there is a dentist, optician, orthopaedic surgeon and ear institute. These facilities are open from Monday to Friday only.
WeCare
WeCare is another modern medical facility in Nelspruit that offers excellent medical services. Their facility is conveniently situated in the Busamed Lowveld Hospital. They established the care centre in 2012. The practice is open 08h00 to 18h00 from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 8h00 to 12h00. The patients visiting this facility need to make appointments unless it is an emergency consultation. WeCare has a laboratory and orthotist on the premises and an x-ray department and pharmacy is within walking distance. At WeCare they are capable of taking care of minor lacerations and fractures as well as doing child immunizations. They also offer diabetic management at their facility.
When staying at Nelspruit Lodge, you’ll be treated to the very best accommodation in Nelspruit, while there are shops, restaurants and other exciting things to do within walking distance. Contact us today for more information or to book your stay.
May 5, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
When staying at Nelspruit Lodge, there is so much to see and do in the area. A trip to the rock garden at Revolve Creek is one such adventure that you should do.
During the late 1960s travellers between Barberton and Kaapmuiden were astounded as they came across a sea of beautifully painted rocks. The owner of this stunning sight was Nukain Mabuza, a farm worker from one of the nearby farms. His origins are a mystery and while the people who knew him said he was a Shangaan or Swazi, it was unknown even to them from where he came.
When Nukain was questioned as to why he painted the rocks, he replied that “his head told him too”. He strictly used yellow, black, white and red paint in his garden. He cleared the veld grass and any other vegetation in a triangular area on the slope and marked it off with small rocks. Like most peoples gardens, he had delineated paths. The area outside his rock garden was full of indigenous plants including aloes and wild dagga. While Mabuza painted all sorts of designs, he never once painted a flower on his rocks.
Over the years many people started to donate paint, but any other colours were used between the road and his fence, not in his garden. He painted mostly spots and stripes but there were also paintings of dogs, rabbits, elephant and birds among his art. This certain style he kept up for many years. He painted rocks and also large embedded boulders on the hillside that surrounded his humble hut. A distinctive boulder at the bottom of his garden was said to be his throne. From this “Throne” like boulder, Mabuza could sit and gaze up at his garden. Mabuza used to tell people his garden was the most beautiful garden in the universe. His hut too was painted in a similar fashion, inside and out. Many articles were written about his art and he kept these clippings on the inside walls of his home.
Two books were written about his life and work, “The Home Of Nukain Mabuza” and “The Painted Stone Garden of Nukain Mabuza”.
Nukain Mabuza’s rock art was a tourist attraction during his life but he was never recognised as an artist. Athol Fugard did, however, make a play about his life, “The Painted Rocks At Revolver Creek” and in 2015 the play enjoyed a highly acclaimed debut season in New York. The play was later done at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. Like any good story, there is a sad end to this one. Nukain Mabuza was an eccentric man in every aspect. One day in 1981, he dug a hole at the top of his painted mountain and buried himself alive.
His body was removed and today he lies in an unmarked grave in the Barberton Cemetary, identifiable only by a reference number. Like Mozart, his life and brilliance were only recognised after his death and both have ended in paupers graves.
Neglected and forgotten for thirty years, this spectacular garden has faded; it’s peeling and overgrown. Although there are only a few photographic records of the site, attempts to restore it are being made.
When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, you can visit his rock garden and learn more about this mysterious artist.
Mar 4, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
Nothing to do on Sunday while staying in Nelspruit? Bring along your passport and nip across the border to the Sunday Fish Market in Maputo. The scenic drive there alone is well worth the experience, and with Nelspruit Lodge being nearby, you can easily make a day of it!
Sunday in Mozambique is a day to relax and socialize and what better place to meet than at the Fish Market.
The old fish market was a rustic affair, with squid and prawns placed in a bucket of ice to keep fresh and fish placed on newspaper on old wooden tables, with vendors sprinkling their fish with water from plastic bottles with holes in the lids. The new fish market is more upscale with vendors having a cement cubicle and table with running water.
The new Maputo Fish Market is based on the waterfront. This seaside attraction is buzzing on Sundays with both locals and visitors. Local vendors purchase their wares straight from the ocean directly from the fishermen. There is a wide variety of fresh fish, lobsters, crabs, calamari and more, which is sold by the kilogram at very affordable prices. Fish can be cleaned on request for an extra fee. Along with the wide variety of fish, vendors also sell a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, all grown in Mozambique.
Lunch, Snacks and a Drink by the Ocean
After strolling through the market and purchasing your choice of lunch, you can find a place to sit opposite the market where there is the waterfront patio which has umbrella covered tables with seating. For nominal fees, the restaurants on this patio will prepare your purchases to taste, be that your way or the traditional Mozambican way. Although all seafood in Mozambique is delicious, the prawns are a definite must, served grilled or fried either with peri-peri or garlic. Enjoy with rice or fries, and be sure to get some “Pao” bread rolls to soak up every last bit of sauce.
Snacks are a must, especially if you are feeling a bit peckish while waiting. Well known in the area is Rissois de Camarao. This is a crescent-shaped croquette which contains shrimp in either a spicy sauce or a peri-peri sauce. These can be enjoyed hot or cold, but they are always delicious.
At the restaurants, you can select your choice of side dish to enjoy with your fish. These restaurants offer a variety of salads, rice or fries. Matapa is uniquely Mozambican dish that is made from stewed cassava leaves that are blended with ground peanuts, garlic and coconut milk. Locals enjoy it as a side dish with fish and it’s well worth the try while there.
While waiting for your meal, you can enjoy a refreshing soda or alcoholic drink. Tipo Tinto is their national rum, best tried with a mixer, the locals enjoy it with berry flavoured soda. The beer of choice in Mozambique is Laurentina that was first brewed in 1932 and comes in three different flavours, Laurentina Clara, Laurentina Premium and Laurentina Preta.
Service is true “African” time, so sit back and relax with your drink, as the service is slow but the food is worth the wait.
Your stay at Nelspruit Lodge doesn’t have to be confined to Nelspruit, or even South Africa! Book your stay today and start exploring!
Mar 4, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
While taking a break in Nelspruit, and staying at our lazy Nelspruit accommodation, why not take a trip to Kaapsehoop and indulge in a day of horse riding?
The best place to go horse backing riding is at the Kaapsehoop Horse Trails. Situated just 35km from Nelspruit, the Kaapsehoop Horse Trails is a true gem of a retreat for those who enjoy horse riding or while it is also the perfect place for every nature enthusiast. The retreat is situated on the Drakensberg escarpment, about 7km from the village of Kaapsehoop, which is well known for its wild horses.
The horses at the Kaasehoop Horse Trails are well-trained, with a good temperament and they are safe for novice and experienced riders. While out riding you will always be accompanied and guided by a team.
For the less experienced, those who might be a little nervous, there is an hour-long route, while for the more experienced there is the four to six-hour ride. All rides are through the pine forests and rolling mountains of the scenic escarpment.
One hour rides (for beginners) are a fun, laid-back ride, while the two-hour ride is for the more experienced rider. Regular riders can take the four or six-hour rides. This ride includes a stop at one of the great village restaurants, where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading back to the retreat. Or if you prefer, you can take a ride through the plantation and have a packed picnic lunch before heading back to base.
While out there one can enjoy a refreshing drink or nibble at the Gypsy Caravan Café. The café is run by an eccentric Café Keeper who has many years of culinary experience and therefore you can be assured of a scrumptious treat while enjoying the surroundings. The patio is known as a meeting place where friends enjoy a cup of slow percolated coffee.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails also has a shop where you can purchase gifts of crafts, books and even photos are available so that you can take a piece of your experience home with you.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails also offers fun pony camps where you drop your children off for a few days and they can enjoy nature and horses while under constant adult supervision. Daily programmes include horse riding, swimming, hiking and plenty of outdoor fun and fresh air. Three meals a day are included in the package.
Should you be between the ages of 18 and 55, and be physically fit, you can also enjoy a working holiday. Volunteer Programmes are available from one week to twelve weeks. They will teach you basic skills but you are required to have some riding experience. A volunteer will be expected to work from 7-16 daily. Three meals a day are supplied on the working days and you will be allowed to have a day off when required. Accommodation is in the form of a two bedroomed flat for 4 people sharing. Basic laundry and kitchenette facilities are in the flat as well as an en-suite bathroom.
When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, it is easy to spend a day riding horses in the town of Kaapsehoop. Don’t miss out on this exciting activity!
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