Dec 15, 2021 | Nelspruit Accommodation
Do you feel that? We are painfully close to the end of the year, and since the end of this year is shaping up to be much like the last (hello travel bans), this is the perfect opportunity to again support the local tourism industry, while also getting to explore everything that our lovely local community has to offer.
The Lowveld is spectacular. Are we biased? Of course. But when you visit the Lowveld in the summer months, you will see just why we use spectacular as the word to describe our beautiful part of the world. Beyond the beauty you will come across when travelling through our area, there is just so much to do here, and it won’t eat up your holiday budget.
A quick little bit of housekeeping before we get into things. If the Lowveld is your holiday destination, then you should think about making Nelspruit Lodge your preferred place to stay. Why? Because we have everything that you need in order to make your holiday both a relaxed experience as well as something that you will remember for years to come. We are also in a fantastic central location which means we can really be your home away from home while you are exploring all of the great activities that you can do while here. And finally, there is that price. We are affordable accommodation in Nelspruit.
Our Bucket List Suggestions
To get a real taste of what our corner of the world has to offer, this is what we suggest you add to your 2021 Lowveld Adventure!
- Fishing at Silwer Rots
The Lowveld is an outdoorsy destination, and when you spot our rolling hills and gorgeous greenery, you can easily see why. So, one of the things we suggest you do here is a spot of fishing at Silwer Rots, a beautiful location out on the Uitkyk Road (we’ll help you find it on a map). And if fishing is not your jam, don’t worry, you can always instead go there and enjoy a picnic or a bite to eat at the bar.
- Hiking at Tomjachu
A bush retreat that offers so much outdoor fun, at a really small fee (but you will have to make a reservation), Tomjachu is a great place to go hiking, enjoy a picnic, or even go on a real life safari. The retreat is home to all sorts of wildlife, which makes any time you spend here incredibly special. There is also the occasional sky gazing workshop hosted here, but to take part in that you will have to check what they have available.
- Dinner at The Jock
Honestly, a Nelspruit staple, if you have been to the town before and you have not visited The Jock, you are missing out! Quite inexpensive (considering the current climate) and offering some delicious food, an evening spent here means you are supporting local while also really indulging your taste buds.
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.
Jun 21, 2021 | Accommodation in Nelspruit
Given the events of the past year and the accompanying upset of the tourism industry, the small towns around Nelspruit can really do with a few more visitors this year. Using Nelspruit Lodge and our stunning accommodation in Nelspruit as your starting point, and as the place to return to after a fun day of exploring, here are our 5 Must Visit Scenic Towns.
- Sabie
Winter is here in full force, and the small town of Sabie takes on a whole new character at this time of the year. As the winter cold descends and the mists settle, sometimes staying throughout the colder days, there is no better place to embrace the season and enjoy every moment of it.In the winter months, Sabie is every outdoor adventurer’s ultimate destination. The leaves are falling and crackle underfoot as you explore the various hiking trails, some of which go through forests and pass waterfalls.
Sabie is also the best place for a bit of winter fishing.
- Pilgrim’s Rest
Since this ancient gold mining town is a bit out of the way, and has in recent years suffered a few setbacks, tourists sometimes miss out on a visit here. But Pilgrim’s Rest is full of amazing things to do as well as places to see.The local cemetery is one such place that you should take a walk around and there are also a few hiking trails to take a walk on.
When you are in the town, make sure to drop in at the Royal Hotel. This 127 year old place is in dire need of visitors and even if you just stop here for a bite to eat, you will be helping the 55 employees to hold onto their jobs as they fight to keep the doors open.
- Barberton
Another gold mining town, Barberton is not at all on the tourist trail but it really deserves to be. A visit here should be spent exploring the mountains, which you can visit as a part of a 4×4 tour or they can be explored on foot, a journey that is far more rewarding.There are many museums to visit, and many of them have been remodelled to represent how the houses looked when they were still lived in over 100 years ago.
- Dullstroom
It might not exactly be a part of the Lowveld, and it is a bit of drive from Nelspruit, but a visit here can still quite easily be done within a day.Dullstroom went from being a small, unassuming village which used to only be attractive to those visiting the town for a spot of fly fishing, to one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations. If you are travelling to Nelspruit from Johannesburg, a stop at Dullstroom is both easy and a must, since it is literally along the way.
- White River
It is the town that went from being just another small town, to being one of the most exciting places to visit. White River is seemingly two towns. One part of it is the old town that is still the business hub, while the other part of it is a beautiful, bustling, tourist driven area.Most who visit Nelspruit, with the goal of paying a visit to the Kruger National Park, will pass through White River to get there. While passing through, stopping at one or two local shops or having lunch at one of the up and coming local restaurants is a must.
Apr 29, 2021 | Nelspruit Accommodation, Things to in and around Nelspruit
Giraffe
Giraffe (genus Giraffa) is a genus of four long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals native to Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest land animals, with males (bulls) reaching heights of over 5.5 meters (18 feet) and females (cows) reaching about 4.5 meters.
They can browse vegetation nearly six meters from the ground using prehensile tongues nearly half a meter long. Giraffes can be found in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, among other places in East Africa, where they can be seen in grasslands and open woodlands.
Kudu
Kudu bulls have huge, large, spiral horns that can reach record lengths of up to 1.8 meters, indicating strong sexual dimorphism. At the age of six, horns reach their maximum length. Bulls also grow to be much larger than cows. Bulls can weigh up to 300 kilograms and have a shoulder height of 1.4 meters, while cows weigh 210 kilograms and have a shoulder height of 1.25 meters. White stripes on flanks that differ greatly in form, scale, and pattern. Tawny-brown to grey-brown coat. White spots on the cheeks and a V-shaped band on the forehead. Long haired manes can be found all the way from the back of the head to the tail, as well as on the lower neck and belly.
African Buffalo
The African Buffalo is a massive and strong bovine with shoulder heights of up to 1.5 meters and a mass of 750 kilograms. Both sexes have horns, with the bulls’ horns having a heavy boss and upward bent horns.
Buffalo herds may have a big effect on the veld’s ecology. As a bulk grazer, they are in charge of transforming long grasslands into short grassy environments that are more suitable for other browsers with more selective feeding habits.
Lions are the main predators. When one of the herd members is threatened, the rest of the herd will run to its defense. A group of buffalo is more than capable of repelling an assault by an entire pride of lions. Hunters consider a wounded buffalo bull as the most lethal, which is one of the reasons why this species is included in the so-called “big five.” Many hunting adventures, myths, and legends are based on this trait.
Burchells Zebra
The body stripes are less and wider than those of the Cape Mountain Zebra, and they stretch across the belly. Leg striping is not as noticeable. At the hip, he stands 1.3 to 1.4 meters tall and weighs 300-320 kilograms. They have rounded ears that measure 160-170 mm in length. Between the ears, the front part of the mane forms a black tuft.
It is primarily a grazer that feeds in areas with short grass. Zebras have a solid, sensitive upper lip that they use to collect herbage by collecting it between the lip and the lower incisors before plucking it. Burchell’s Zebras live in small groups, usually consisting of one stallion and one mare with their offspring. Bachelor classes are made up of non-breeding stallions. Stallions in the herd range in age from four to twelve years old. Family groups congregate in large numbers around water holes and preferred grazing areas.
They are sometimes seen alongside wildebeest, other plains antelope, and baboons.
You can see these animals while on a safari after your stay with us.
Apr 29, 2021 | Nelspruit Accommodation, Things to in and around Nelspruit
The lion (Panthera leo) is a massive, powerfully built cat in the Felidae family, second only to the tiger in size. The lion, the proverbial “king of beasts,” has long been one of the most well-known wild animals. Lions are most active at night and can be found in a variety of environments, but their preferred habitats are grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland. They used to be found in most of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but now they are mostly found south of the Sahara. In India’s Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, an isolated group of around 650 Asiatic lions form a slightly smaller race that lives under strict security.
General Characteristics
The lion is a tall, muscular cat with short legs and a long neck. The size and appearance of men and women differ significantly. The male’s most distinguishing feature is his mane, which differs between individuals and populations. It may be completely absent, fringed around the ears, or full and shaggy, covering the back of the head, neck, and shoulders and extending onto the throat and chest to join a fringe around the belly. The mane and fringe of some lions are very dark, almost black, giving the cat a majestic look. Males with manes seem larger, which can be used to threaten rivals or attract a potential partner.
A fully grown male is about 1.8–2.1 metres (6–7 feet) long, except the 1-metre tail, and stands about 1.2 metres tall at the hip, weighing 170–230 kg (370–500 pounds). With a body length of 1.5 meters, a shoulder height of 0.9–1.1 meters, and a weight of 120–180 kilograms, the female, or lioness, is the smaller of the two. The lion’s coat is short and ranges in color from buff yellow to orange-brown to silvery gray to dark brown, with a darker tuft on the tail tip than the rest of the coat.
Prides
Lions are the only cats that live in groups called prides. A pride’s members usually spend the day in several dispersed groups that can come together to hunt or share a meal. A pride is made up of several generations of lionesses, some of whom are related, a few breeding males, and their cubs. The group may have as few as four members or as many as 37, but the average size is about 15. Each pride has a well-defined territory that includes a core area that is strictly protected from intruding lions and a fringe area that allows for some overlap.
When prey is plentiful, a territory can be as small as 20 square kilometers (8 square miles), but when game is scarce, it can be as large as 400 square kilometers. Some prides are known to use the same territory for decades, handing it on from female to female. Lions mark their territories by roaring and smelling it. Their distinctive roar is usually heard in the evening before a night of hunting and again in the morning before waking up. Males often make their presence known by urinating on bushes, trees, or the ground, leaving a pungent smell in their wake. Different scent marks are left by defecation and rubbing against bushes.
You can see these animals while on a safari after your stay with us.
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