Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

The glorious New Year is finally here! And there is certainly an air of travel expectation that has accompanied 2022. Perhaps it is because we’ve all been locked up and uncertain for the last 2 years, but the travel bug is definitely biting many a South African and a trip to the Lowveld area might be just what you need.

The Lowveld remains a stunning place to spend some time, whether it is just for a fun weekend away or if you are looking for a place to spend a week or 2. A destination of fun activities and some truly memorable sightings, when you choose the Lowveld as your holiday destination in 2022, there will be plenty to keep you busy.

And along with having so much to do and see, when you choose our little corner of South Africa as the place to visit this year, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation.

Nelspruit, being the capital city, is often the preferred place to stay in the Lowveld, because it is both affordable and quite central. When staying in Nelspruit, you have the perfect vantage point from which to explore, and no matter what your hotel hopes are, there is something for everyone in our city.

  1. Nelspruit Lodge
    We can’t write a list without including ourselves. This is not a vanity thing, but rather based on the fact that we have time and again been voted as one of the best places to stay in Nelspruit. We have a variety of great rooms and our prices are just about unbeatable. Many holiday makers choose our lodge because of our central location.
  1. Pensao
    For a more guesthouse feel, Pensao is a great place to stay. This accommodation facility has all of the elements of a guesthouse and with limited rooms, guests can enjoy plenty more privacy if that is what they are looking for. The guesthouse is situated in a glowing green suburb.
  1. Tomjachu Bush Retreat
    It is not just a fantastic place to spend a day outdoors, Tomjachu, with all of its incredible activities and game viewing opportunities, is also a fantastic place to stay in Nelspruit. The nature appeal is strong here, and while it is a little more on the pricey side, you won’t mind paying up once you arrive and take in all of the glorious beauty that surrounds your incredible accommodation.
  1. Utopia in Africa
    This Nelspruit lodge certainly lives up to its name and when you first catch sight of its exquisite landscaping and super comfortable rooms, you will understand why. It is the perfect destination for couples seeking privacy and a romantic retreat and since it is a short drive out of the city, it is utterly tranquil.
  1. Chill Pepper Boutique Hotel
    While Nelspruit is for the most part quite conservative, it does have a few quirky places to stay, like the Chill Pepper Boutique. With its artsy feel and its central location, it is definitely a great choice if you are looking for something a little different.
The Different Types of Accommodation in Nelspruit

The Different Types of Accommodation in Nelspruit

Looking for a place to stay in our sunny city? Well, with the array of incredible options available, if you are looking for a certain type of accommodation in Nelspruit, you are most definitely going to be able to find the right option to suit both your needs and your expectations.

Nelspruit is not the biggest of cities, but as a city on the tourist trail, the accommodation options range from the budget establishments to the upper end accommodation that offers guests a more luxurious experience.

Usually, the accommodation that you choose will be determined by a few factors such as the amount of money you are willing and able to spend, the destination you are heading to, your accommodation expectations, and the general vibe you are going for.

So when you are travelling to Nelspruit, whether on an epic adventure or on business, these are the types of accommodation you can look forward to.

  1. Hotels and Lodges
    The most conventional type of place to stay in Nelspruit, a hotel is generally the top choice for holiday makers and business people alike. Hotels come in all shapes and sizes and they are often a part of a chain group, although they can also be part of a holiday resort. The easiest way to see if a hotel is worth the money, is to have a look at the star rating that it has been awarded. Stars range from 1 – 5 and the higher the star is, the better the hotel.
  1. Bed and Breakfasts
    These kinds of establishments are really the perfect option for anyone wanting to have a more homely place to stay. Breakfast is included as a part of the stay and these types of places are not built to accommodate loads of guests, simply because the establishment is often a lot smaller than a hotel.
  1. Guest Houses
    The guest house is a big step up from a bed and breakfast, simply in that the guests can look forward to a more luxury experience. Breakfasts are not always included in the deal, but the overall experience is likely to be a lot more comfortable and peaceful than a stay at a bed and breakfast, simply because you will have a lot more space in which to relax.
  1. Self-Catered Accommodation
    Self-catering in Nelspruit is a hugely popular accommodation option, primarily because it is often a whole lot cheaper than the other options available. With this style of accommodation, you can look forward to a laid back establishment. Although you will be preparing all of your meals yourself, you will have the freedom to come and go as you please, without the worry about missing meal times.

At Nelspruit Lodge, we are one of the best places to stay in the area. Our lodge is well known for its comfortable accommodation and its warm hospitality. We are affordable and with our central location, we are the ideal place to stay whether you are in town for a family holiday or a business trip.

Top 5 Nelspruit Lodges to Visit in 2022

5 Things you should do when Staying in a Hotel

Just because you are on holiday does not mean that it is time to throw your manners away. When you are staying in a hotel, there are some things that you should do, and there are plenty of things that you should avoid doing, in order to make your stay, and the stay of your fellow guests as pleasant as possible.

Nelspruit Lodge is a stunning place to escape for a holiday. Whether you choose our accommodation in Nelspruit for your quick weekend getaway, or if you are planning on spending your yearly family holiday with us, you are making a great decision. Not only is your time spent with us relaxing and super comfortable, but we also ensure privacy when you choose to stay with us.

Whether it is your first time at a lodge in Nelspruit or the 50th, when you stay in such accommodation it is important to have some kind of lodge etiquette in mind. These are just 5 things that you should do when you are staying in a hotel.

  1. Keep the noise down
    Even when you are staying in a hotel that promises peace and privacy, you are technically still sharing a space. With this in mind, you can imagine how unpleasant it can be for other guests if you are up late making a noise, or if you are up before the crack of dawn and kicking up a storm. While there might be some cases when you can’t control the noise you make (think about travelling with excited children and babies), you should always consider just how much noise you make when staying at a hotel.
  1. Be kind to staff
    The staff at a hotel play a very special role in making sure that your stay is peaceful and pleasant. So it simply doesn’t do to be rude to hotel staff, no matter how frustrated you might be feeling. Even if you have a complaint, you should be sure to handle it in a polite and professional manner.
  1. Respect the hotel property
    Every part of the hotel, from the telephones to the bedding, is hotel property that you should never damage. You should always treat whatever is in the hotel room as though it is your own which means being very careful with whatever you use. Remember, if you damage property, you could end up literally paying for it.
  1. Hang up towels
    Often towels will be replaced on a daily basis, but this is really unnecessary if you make sure that you hang up the towels after each use so that they can dry out. When you choose to hang up your towels each day, you also won’t be wasting energy, which can then make your stay more eco-friendly.
  2. Check in and out at the right time
    You should never rush the hotel staff to check you in early and you should never check out late either. When you try to check in early or if you check out late, you will be making the life of the hotel staff more difficult than it would otherwise need to be.
5 Must Visit Scenic Towns in the Lowveld

5 Must Visit Scenic Towns in the Lowveld

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Planning your post COVID-19 holiday

Planning your post COVID-19 holiday

While most of the world remains in lockdown and travel is the furthest thing from everyone’s mind, the future seems a little bit uncertain. What is certain however, is that when the storm passes, businesses will open up and we will begin to travel again.

If you’re sitting at home consuming news, and feeling a certain amount of anxiety about the future, why not refocus your energy on something more positive? Like day dreaming about your post COVID-19 holiday.

The tourism industry is without a doubt one of many industries currently taking a huge, possibly long lasting knock from the impact of both the virus and the lockdown, but once the world returns to a new sort of normal, there will never be a better time to see your own country.

South Africa is a beautiful country and is home to all sorts of magnificent attractions that are waiting to be explored. And since money is possibly going to be tight after this virus and this lockdown, not only will we be unlikely to travel abroad (for financial and health reasons), but we should be focusing on putting money back into your economy and supporting local business.

A Proudly South African Bucket List

Local is lekker. Not one South African can deny that. When planning your holiday, you don’t have to go far to have a genuine, relaxing experience. Many of the best destinations are right on your doorstep, all you need to know is where to look.

Go on safari

After so much time being indoors, something that you might argue is so not like us South Africans, one of the first trips that you should plan is a safari. Did you know that we have some of the most magical safari destinations on the planet? And if you plan on travelling to the Lowveld, one destination you need to stop at is of course, the Kruger National Park.

Hike the Drakensberg

There is nothing quite as invigorating as brisk walk through the mountains and there is no range quite as magnificent as the Drakensberg. There are a variety of places you can depart from for a hike in the mountains and numerous places to stay while you are visiting.

Tour Wild Coast

One of the last, hidden treasures in many ways, the Wild Coast, which stretches along South Africa’s Eastern Cape coastline is filled with unbelievable places to explore. While in the area, if you travel just a bit further south, you’ll find the Tsitsikamma National Park, which encompasses mountains, rivers, forests and beaches. It is so easy to fall in love with the Wild Coast and if you haven’t been there before, add it to your list.

Haenertsburg

A quaint village perched on the edge of the escarpment in the Limpopo Province, Haenertsburg is an adventure filled, picturesque escape from the world. With forests and mountains, and so much to keep you occupied, including tours of the forest canopy and all sorts of hiking adventures, this is the perfect destination for South Africans.

If your bucket list brings you close to Nelspruit, let Nelspruit Lodge be your host. We have a selection of beautiful rooms and a vibrantly friendly staff waiting to ensure that you make the most of your next holiday.