Apr 9, 2020 | Nelspruit Lodge
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.
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 15, 2018 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
If you have followed this blog from the first, you’ll already know all about the exciting places you can see during just a day on the road. In the second part of our blog, we’ll be highlighting the rest of the route.
Back on the road
After you’ve experienced all that Pilgrim’s Rest has to offer it is time to hit the road and head back in the direction you came and carry on past the natural bridge till you get to Graskop. Not quite in the same class as Sabie or Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop does have its own charm. A look around the small shops in town will reveal several novelties to purchase. A popular place to grab a snack will surely be at Harrie’s Pancakes which is situated on the main street. Very reasonably priced, sweet, savoury or even veggie filled pancakes can be purchased at this pancake restaurant.
Leaving Graskop
Take the road north out of Graskop and you are in for a sight-seeing adventure. Do turn onto the R534 loop to have a stunning view from three different viewpoints of the amazing Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment. The Pinnacle is the first, a beautiful buttress of free-standing rock rising out of the indigenous forest. The natural wonder can be viewed from two different viewing decks.
Next on the list of must-see attractions is God’s Window. Truly living up to its name, God’s Window can be viewed once you have traversed a steep footpath of about 900m to the very edge of the escarpment. From this vantage point, the whole of the Lowveld and even Mozambique can be viewed.
Wonder View is next on this extraordinary route. At 1730m above sea level, Wonder View is the highest viewpoint on the Panorama Route. This is the last viewpoint on the loop, but a sensational one not to be missed.
The Final Leg
Head out of Graskop and straight to the Lisbon Falls. Lisbon Falls is the highest waterfall in the region and tumbles a staggering 92 meters. Get back on the tar road and head north past the Berlin Sawmills to the Berlin Falls. This waterfall is spectacular not because of its height, but because of the cliffs behind the waterfall and the deep pool that it cascades into.
A visit to this area will not be complete unless you stop in at the famous Bourke’s Luck Potholes. An easy 25km north of the Berlin Falls, turn right into the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and get ready to be impressed by this natural wonder. Millions of years of whirlpools have carved huge potholes into the bedrock. Today we have the privilege of being able to walk right over this marvel of nature by means of bridges set safely 20 meters above. This is a good place to have a picnic and pay a visit to the visitor’s centre for information.
Heading north once more, about 5km down the road is the Lowveld View. This 1219 meter high vantage point offers a view of the Blyde River Canyon and this area goes from stunning rocky peaks to valleys that are filled with dense forest. From here you can also see the Blyde River as it eases itself through the canyon en route to the Blydepoort Dam.
The last but not to be missed attraction is another 4.6 km north. The aptly named Three Rondawels showcase nature at her very best. Three huge rock edifices stand out proudly in plain view sight with the Blyde River Canyon as a splendid backdrop.
Nothing can compare to this truly amazing part of South Africa, so take the time and come and enjoy the scenic area.
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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