Apr 17, 2019 | Nelspruit Lodge, Uncategorized
In autumn you will find the Lowveld in bloom with colour. The many beautiful flowers will make your visit to this area abuzz with colour, and when staying at Nelspruit Lodge, you can spend your days in the gardens, enjoying the warm autumn air.
Our Nelspruit accommodation boasts a variety of beautiful flowers and when travelling around town, you can see these flowers and so many more.
- Kudu Lily
This succulent shrub will delight in autumn with its stunning white flowers that appear between the lush green leaves among the spines on the branches. Apart from its sheer beauty, this flower is toxic to humans and livestock. The Kudu Lily is a very slow growing plant and does not adapt readily to new environments making it almost extinct in certain areas.
- Wild Dagga (Lion’s Tail)
Wild Dagga flowers in Autumn and is a true delight as the sunbirds love their nectar. The shrub itself is sparse with 4 angled stems. The leaves of this shrub are hairy and grow in pairs. The flowers, however, are dense and about the size of a golf ball consisting of the tube-like orange flowers. Although the leaves of the Wild Dagga are smoked, they are not a substitute for Dagga. The plant is said to have medicinal qualities and traditionally used as a cure for pain, colds or flu. Certain properties of the plant are said to aid with Type 2 Diabetes, epilepsy or constipation.
- Bougainvillaea
These bushes of colour can be found in just about every garden in the Lowveld. When in bloom this is a truly spectacular spray of flowers. Bougainvillaea comes in a variety of colours, Pink, White, Magenta, Red, Orange or Yellow. These bushes need little water once established and fairly easy to grow. Many people bonsai them from tip cuttings.
- Pride of De Kaap
The main flowering time of the Pride of De Kaap is March and April when they come alive with a flower that ranges in colour from salmon to orange and yellow to white. The petals are oar-shaped and a length of 4cm. When looking at the name you would think it belongs in the Cape but in actual fact, the name comes from the De Kaap Valley in the Barberton area of Mpumalanga. These plants enjoy the bushveld climate.
- Red Hot Poker
Red hot pokers can be seen in bloom late summer to autumn. These flowers have stems of up to 1.5 meters in height before the slender tube-like flower. The flower heads start off a dull red but change in colour to yellow or green-yellow when they open.
- Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum’s bloom in autumn and are one of the prettiest variety of autumn flowers in the Lowveld. A single bush can have multiple flower heads and they come in a variety of colours. These flowers like the sun and require about six hours of sun each day. Once established in your garden these plants are hardy. Remember to cut the dead flowers off and you will be rewarded with double the amount of flowers when it flowers again.
Nelspruit Lodge is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of town, and our gardens are filled with all kinds of plants. Book your Nelspruit accommodation today.
Feb 8, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit, Uncategorized
Not all who visit Nelspruit know exactly what our exciting little city has to offer or why it is firmly on the business map. For many years, Nelspruit was a small, mostly tourist focused town but in recent years, with the many new developments and city wide growth, we are more than the place in which people restock their vehicles when on the road to the Kruger or Mozambique.
Once you’ve planned your trip and booked your Nelspruit accommodation, you might find that there are a few blank spaces in your knowledge of the town that you’d quite like to fill. With this in mind, we have a list of a few of the frequently asked questions that you might find helpful.
- What is Nelspruit known for?
Today, the town of Nelspruit is a business hub in the Lowveld. Nelspruit is best known for being the capital of Mpumalanga. It has a rich and interesting history, while the town itself was founded in 1905, there is plenty of history that predates the buildings which sprung up to form the town we have. The town was named after the Nel Brothers who would bring their cattle to the area during the winter.
- How far is Pretoria from Nelspruit?
For those city slickers heading to our town on business, or for pleasure, knowing the distance will help with planning. Depending on traffic and weather conditions, it can take roughly 3 hours to drive the 319.15km from Pretoria to Nelspruit, if you are travelling at a speed of 110km/p.
- How old is Nelspruit?
The town is dated according to when the rail line from Lorenco Marques (Maputo) reached Nelspruit. It took roughly a year for the railway line to reach the town in 1892. This line went further on, connecting all of the small towns between Maputo and Pretoria, breathing new life into the area. So you can say that Nelspruit is well over 100 years old.
- How big is Nelspruit?
We refer to Nelspruit as a city, but when you can get to practically any area of the city within 15 minutes driving, it’s hardly right to call it a city. That being said, Nelspruit is about 72,63 square kilometres and each year that area grows.
- Does Nelspruit have an airport?
Nelspruit has two airports although the smaller one, the Nelspruit Airport, which once served as the only airport, is now used by hobby pilots and stores smaller aircrafts. The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which is a 30 minute drive from the town was opened a few years ago. Flights to cities all throughout the country can be embarked on from this airport, while it also offers international flights to nearby countries.
Nelspruit Lodge is one of the best Nelspruit hotels to book your stay in. You can enquire or make your booking online.
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!
Oct 12, 2018 | Things to in and around Nelspruit, Uncategorized
The Lowveld is a glorious place to explore and when you are staying at our comfortable, Nelspruit accommodation for your December holidays, exploring is the one thing you have to do!
The absolute best way to take in all of the sights is to embark on the Panorama Route. And in this 2 part blog, we’ll guide you to some of the route’s famous attractions.
The Start of the Panorama Route
Heading out early in the morning on the R40 towards White River, you can choose one of two ways to get to Sabie, one of the first towns on this Route. You can turn left onto the Brondal road just before you get to Riverside or you can head straight past Riverside to White River. The Brondal route will take you through beautiful mountains until you get to a T-junction. From there you can go right at the T-junction wind down off the mountain and into picture-perfect Sabie.
Alternatively, you can head straight to White River and just before entering White River turn left onto the Sabie road. This route will take you through the third largest man-made pine forest before you once again get to a T-junction, turn left and enter into Sabie from the other side of this picture perfect little town.
This entrance to the town will take you past the famous Woodsman Pub and Restaurant. This character filled restaurant is a huge log cabin with a deck overlooking the hills. The Woodsman Restaurant is a popular hang-out for breakfast bike runners. Another highlight of the town is the train diner aptly named The Smokey while the Sabie Brewing Company is also a treat. Small shops line the streets and there is also a popular must-visit second-hand bookshop. If you want to experience something a little more rustic, you can always enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Sabie river at the Merry Pebbles Resort.
Moving Onward
Head north out of Sabie towards Graskop and to the famous Mac Mac Pools. This is the next stop on your Panorama Route. Named by Scottish miners who panned for gold in the gorge, Mac Mac Pools is now an essential stop along the way, where visitors can enjoy a picnic and even take a swim in the chilly waters of the rock pool.
Getting back on the road and turning right you will come to the first of many waterfalls on this route. The Mac Mac Falls can be heard well before they are seen as you wind your way along the walkway past the locals selling their wares, to the viewpoint of the falls. At the viewpoint, you will get to see not one but two waterfalls as they fall 70 meters before meeting in a single pool with a terrific crash.
Head north again leaving the Mac Mac Falls past the Jock Of The Bushveld Memorial and the Maria Shrines Waterfall which are both worth a stop off, before heading left to Pilgrims Rest.
The 8 kilometres to Pilgrim’s Rest is well worth the drive. The road winds through the wilderness until the village comes to view tucked into the mountainside. Pilgrim’s Rest will make you feel like you have taken a step back into the past. The town consists of buildings kept as they were a hundred years ago. Lose yourself in the past as you take a walk through the towns many shops, many filled with items from a by-gone era. Drop in The Diggings Site and try your hand at panning for gold or take a walk through the historical graveyard. Be sure to have a drink at the legendary Royal Hotel before having your photo taking is a vintage dress at the Drezden Shop. If you feeling peckish there are a variety of coffee shops in the town to grab a snack before heading on to your next exciting stop.
This is trip can take around a day or so to complete if you are in a hurry, and in the evening there is more than enough time for you to return to the Nelspruit Lodge. Read part two to find out about the other interesting places you can see.
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