Aug 27, 2020 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
Nelspruit is a beautiful town located in the middle of the Lowveld. Nelspruit is one of the busiest towns to be found in Mpumalanga and is popular with a variety of people of people young and old. The location for Nelspruit is prime as it lies conveniently near a lot of the popular attractions as well as near small towns. Mbombela is the Capital city of Mpumalanga and is known worldwide because of its close proximity to the World-famous Kruger National Park.
Nelspruit’s name has been officially renamed to Mbombela. One of the popular reasons why Mbombela is so popular, is because of its sport functions and the varied sport facilities it boasts. There are numerous schools that have frequent sporting events that vary from rugby and hockey to tennis and netball and many other sports. Mbombela is also known for its great golfing facilities as the golf course is one of the best in the region. Town Rugby tournaments are also held frequently and there are also a couple of Lawn Bowl greens for those who prefer a slower pace.
Mbombela is renowned for its possession and close proximity to popular tourist attractions. Some of the more popular tourist attractions that make people flock to Mbombela include the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden, the Kruger National Park, Sudwala Caves and Kaapschehoop. Many people visit these amazing tourist destinations and then spend some time in the town, taking in the sights. Because of the close proximity to all these tourist attractions many tourists or visitors from afar will stay over in the town because of convenience.
Mbombela is a town that is diverse in the amount of commerce it provides. Mbombela has two spacious malls that is guaranteed to check off a few of your necessities. Riverside Mall was the First mall built in Mbombela and was the go-to place in the town. Ilanga was then built on the opposite side of the town, near the homes and residential areas for greater ease of access for many residents. Mbombela also has 3 popular shopping centres in the form of Crossings, The Grove and Sonpark that each contain a sizeable Spar with a variety of take away and ease of life shops. Many of these shopping centres are spread out nicely throughout the town to provide residents with the most convenient way to fulfil their shopping needs.
Mbombela is not just shops and businesses, there are various recreational locations in Nelspruit and the surrounding areas that will keep everyone entertained from young to old. Ilanga Mall is a hotspot as visitors can go ice skating, watch a movie or have some fun at the Fun Company Arcade. For those really hot Nelspruit days, the Riverside Waterpark, Mafunyane, is a perfect place to spend the day and cool off in the process. Riverside Mall also has a few fun and exciting things to do to keep visitors busy, like enjoying the cinema and browsing the shops while you wait.
Sep 22, 2019 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Accommodation, Things to in and around Nelspruit
All Lowvelder’s are spoilt by the weather. Although the summers can get swelteringly hot, the winters are mild and whether its summer or winter, it is always picnic weather in our part of the world.
Best Place for a Picnic
A favourite picnic spot for locals has got to be the Lowveld Botanical Gardens. The Crocodile River is at the entrance to the gardens bringing an air of coolness with it. The eastern bank of the Crocodile River is home to a tropical rainforest. The gardens are always well maintained and alive with over 600 indigenous trees. The Lowveld Botanical Gardens also have cycads and a wide variety of shrubs and plants. And nestled amongst the vegetation are some of the most tranquil picnic spots.
Just outside of Sabie is a well-known landmark; the Lone Creek. An easy 200 meter walk from the parking area is a waterfall that will truly take your breath away. The waterfall is 68 meters high and falls in into a tranquil pool at the bottom. After viewing these spectacular falls there is a beautiful picnic spot. The falls have been declared a National Monument.
For the more adventurous, there is the option of spending a day at the Mafunyane Riverside Water Park. Here the outdoor enthusiast will have 7 water attractions to experience. The names Cheetah Callenge, Leaping Leopard and Boomslang Bungee are bound to bring out the child in most adults. Here are super slides and sparkling pools to satisfy adults and children. Be sure to bring your picnic basket to enjoy on the lawns, as all that swimming will leave you hungry.
If nature’s peace and quiet is more your thing, the Steiltes Nature Reserve is the place for you. Found in town in the suburb of Steiltes, this gem is an undisturbed piece of nature not to be missed. At the centre of this reserve is a massive granite dome. Here the rocky terrain is a haven for all kinds of wildlife, including the klipspringer. On the rocky outcrops, you will see Rock Figs, Stumvrug and a wide variety of aloes. Running through the middle of the reserve is a stream. The stream is lined with gigantic Matumi and Waterberry trees that make it a perfect hunting ground for the Crowned Eagle. For the avid birder, there are a wide variety of birds that nest in the reserve. And adding to the beauty are numerous butterflies. Other trees to be seen are the Kiaat, Silver Cluster Leaf and Marula. A picnic can be enjoyed in the open grassy areas. Baboons can be heard and care should be taken in summer as snakes live in the reserve.
The Horse Shoe Falls are located on the Sabie Rivers. After taking a short walk that is alive with birds and small wildlife you will find this unique cascade. When you see the falls you will know why it was called the “Horseshoe” falls. This exquisite waterfall is in the shape of a horseshoe. These falls are not that high, but their circular appearance makes them quite unusual. The Horseshoe Falls have been declared a national monument. Not to be missed at the falls is the trout fishing. While enjoying the tranquil beauty of the area, you can have a picnic and also a swim in the refreshing pools.
When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, don’t miss out on the opportunity to spend some time enjoying a picnic.
Jun 15, 2018 | Accommodation in Nelspruit, Nelspruit Lodge
Nelspruit is one of those special cities. It is not yet completely urbanised as far as the eye can see, but it is busy and big enough to be considered a city. And every city needs a bit of nature in which citizens can escape for a bit of peace and quiet.
The Lowveld Botanical Gardens is just the place to do that.
The Lowveld is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. Its warm weather makes for a tropical environment in which all kinds of luscious plants grow. As the capital of the Lowveld, and of Mpumalanga as a whole, Nelspruit is home to the Lowveld Botanical Gardens which is one place where you will see just about every type of indigenous plant in the area.
A Day in the Botanical Gardens
The Lowveld Botanical Gardens is shaped by the Nel River and the Crocodile River, both of which cut through the gardens and create natural boundaries. The rivers meet in the gardens and create a
stunning waterfall, which you can see at the Nels and Cascades Viewpoints.
The gardens are one of the 9 National Botanical Gardens of South Africa.
Founded in 1969, after the local Municipality decided that having such a garden would promote tourism, the gardens have become a place of education and conservation. The gardens were officially opened on the 10th of September 1971. The land consists of municipal grounds as well as land donated by the Board of HL Hall and Sons. The gardens cover a total of 165 ha and of all that land, only 30 ha has been carefully cultivated, the rest has been left to grow wild.
The last 40 years have seen many changes to the gardens, which now boasts a tea garden which is ideal for events as well as a children’s play area. But one of the best ways to experience the gardens is to pack a picnic basket and spend your day exploring all the paths before settling down for a snack.
The gardens have a small entrance fee and once inside, visitors have a number of tour options. You can easily spend your whole day enjoying the paths and sights of this beautiful garden.
Along with having a wide variety of plants local to the Lowveld, the gardens also have their very own African Rain Forest. When exploring the forest, you can walk closely along the Crocodile River and across a suspension bridge. This forest is not only filled with local plants, but it also has plants from the Coastal Belt and the Province of Limpopo.
Another interesting attraction is the useful plant’s section. An entire corner of the park is filled with plants that have a particular use, from astringents to plants known to ease pain. With all the information boards, you will learn all about the local plants that can be used as medicine when prepared correctly.
The Lowveld Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to visit when you are in Nelspruit. And the best place to stay in Nelspruit is at our lodge. We have the most comfortable and some of the most affordable accommodation in Nelspruit, and we are just a short drive away from the Botanical Gardens.
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