Jan 29, 2020 | Nelspruit Accommodation
Forested hiking trails and picnic spots, rushing waterfalls and rivers pouring over ancient rocks creating unbelievable formations, mountains offering exceptional views of distant landscape; Mpumalanga has a lot for those who love to be outdoors. In every way, it is an adventurous destination that lures visitors in with its beauty and makes them feel at home.
The province is best known for being a gateway to the Kruger National Park and for having a balmy, adventure filled destination called the Lowveld. There are loads of things to enjoy here, even if you are not keen on getting too adventurous. But for those who are looking to get their blood pumping, these exciting activities are not to be missed in 2020:
White River Rafting
Sitting on a rubber boat floating furiously down a river is a thrilling experience, especially in the summer months just after the rains. The Sabie River in the Hazyview area is a popular place to enjoy this past time and a trip can take roughly 1 to 2 hours to complete. You won’t need to have much experience to successfully make your way down the river, although it is a good idea to know how to swim!
Horseback Riding
The region has many places to experience horseback riding with trails through forests, grasslands and mountains being among the most popular. Kaapsehoop is without a doubt the most beautiful place to go horseback riding, with the Kaapsehoop Horse Trails offering an unforgettable, interactive experience up in the mountains of the Escarpment.
The Safari
With much of the Kruger National Park situated in Mpumalanga, going on a safari is without a doubt something you will want to do. Along with the option of driving yourself through the Southern Kruger, many local tour companies offer guests the option of full day tours and half day tours. Day safaris might seem short but they are more than enough time to see a wide variety of animals.
Explore the tree tops
Hazyview is home to the world’s longest aerial cable trail. With a guide at the helm, guests are taken on a trail along the Sabie River, through the tree tops of a lush green natural forest. The tour will not only give you the chance to learn all about this indigenous forest and its spectacular plants, but it will also bring you up close to the wildlife that makes its home in the trees.
Take in the history
This part of the world is filled to the brim with interesting history, dating back to the time when Bushmen lived in the area. The area has numerous small historical towns with museums and other interesting attractions. Many of these trips are easily fit into a day, and most of the locations are just a short drive from Nelspruit which will allow you to stay at our Nelspruit accommodation.
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Make 2020 your year to explore South Africa, and start off your adventures in Mpumalanga. For more information about our accommodation or to make a booking, you can contact us.
Dec 17, 2019 | Nelspruit Accommodation
Find yourself staying in Nelspruit this Christmas? There are many ways to prepare for the holidays and even if you are away from home, there is nothing to stop you from tucking into a delicious meal or going out shopping.
Although the Christmas decorations are very much winter themed, wherever you are in South Africa, the temperatures around Christmas time generally soar. So the whole idea of sitting down to a rich, hot meal is the last thing that anyone wants to do. One advantage that we have though, is that during this most wonderful time of the year, is that it is the perfect time to get outdoors and end the year with your feet up.
Let’s dive into the Christmas guide for those staying in Nelspruit for Christmas 2019
Gifting
The town’s many shops, especially those in the malls, generally extend their shopping hours in the run up to Christmas. The longer you leave your shopping, the more crowds you’ll have to face, so getting all your shopping wrapped up as soon as possible is best. You don’t want to taint the holidays with stress, so the earlier you head out the better. To completely remove the possibility of getting stuck in crowds, shop online. if you choose to do this, you’ll have to make sure that you order your items as soon as possible or they won’t be delivered on time.
Homemade and eco-gifts are tremendously popular right now, and the trend is fueled by the fact that Pinterest is filled with great ideas. If you want to really cut back the amount of money you spend, create a budget that everyone in the family must follow and then make your gifts. Remember, regardless of what the media says, it really is the thought that counts.
Christmas Lunch
Most Nelspruiters will settle down for a family lunch on Christmas Day. Traditional Fruit Cakes are always a popular hit as is the turkey or roasted chicken. But modern trends are also leaning towards seafood, and simple, cold foods. Delicious gammon, fillets and light snacks are very in right now and when paired with roast potatoes, seasonal veggies and all kinds of salads, everyone will have their fill.
Make sure that you add a few bottles of your favourite chilled wine to the table, and a bowl of ice cream or peppermint crisp tart for desert is always a winner.
Not keen on cooking? There are plenty of places serving up a delectable lunch. Sophie’s Bistro, Magnolia in White River, Bosvark Pub and Grill, La Villa Vita, Tindlovu at the Gardens, and Old Joe’s Kaia are all open on Christmas Day. If you plan on eating out, it would be best to book ahead.
Boxing Day/Family Day
It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s another day of rest after the long year and the festivities. You could be super lazy and snooze the day away, or you could take advantage of this time by getting a little outdoorsy. Time in the Botanical Gardens or hiking through the misty forests of Kaapsehoop are both good for the soul!
Make sure that you book your Nelspruit accommodation with us today in time for Christmas and enjoy a relaxed day in our small town.
Dec 17, 2019 | Nelspruit Accommodation
For most travellers to the region, including those who will be spending a night at our Nelspruit accommodation, their time here is mostly limited as they are either just passing through or they are only here for a day or 2 on business. Nelspruit has never exactly been a main tourist attraction, it has almost always been the place through which people pass on their way to their real holiday destination. But that doesn’t mean that the 24 hours spent in the town needs to be a waste.
This is your 24 hour guide to the city
On the assumption that you either arrive early in the morning or that perhaps you arrived in the town late the night before and now have a day to fill, this is our suggestion about how you should spend your day.
The Morning
Did you know Nelspruit tends to come alive a lot earlier than most towns? Breakfast is served at many places well before 9:00 am and if you are an early bird one of the best places to grab a bite is at Feast. Situated just about on the N4, when travelling into town from Jo’burg side, this is one of the coziest and friendliest places in town, and they start serving meals pretty early. They make a killer cup of coffee and they have a quiet garden behind the restaurant as well as a play area for the children. Their menu is traditional but the food is high-quality and really affordable. It also happens to be a great place to have an early morning business meeting!
After Breakfast
If you are not in town on business, the rest of the morning can be filled with loads of activities. From Feast, you can drive basically across the way to iLanga Mall to stock up on necessities or browse the shops. Local favourites include Violet and Rose, a jewellery design company known for making stunning, affordable jewels, Earth Organics, who produce superb organic foods, skincare items and supplements, and The Crafters Market, where you’ll find loads of interesting trinkets, curios and gifts.
The brilliant thing about our city being so small is that from the shops, just a 20 minute drive away, is the lush Lowveld Botanical Gardens. You can spend hours out in the fresh air, exploring the rain forest and learning about the plants indigenous to the area. If you are keen on a drive, Kaapsehoop is a leisurely 30 minute drive up the mountain, where you will be transported from busy city to misty, mystical forests.
Both at the Gardens and in Kaapsehoop you’ll find great places to enjoy lunch, and if you have stayed around town, you can always pop in at a place at iLanga Mall, or visit the local pub Jock or upmarket Europa for a quick snack.
The Evenings
If you are staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, you can enjoy a meal at our dining area or you can venture out to any one of these fantastic places to eat. You’ll find scrumptious food, fabulous hospitality and perhaps even some live entertainment courtesy of the local bands. Evening entertainment can also be found at again iLanga Mall, where you can go ice skating, play some games at the Fun Company or watch a movie. Riverside Mall also has a few gaming companies and movie theaters, while those who fancy their luck with some gambling, can go to Emnotweni.
To complete your 24 hour stay, make sure that you have booked into our Nelspruit accommodation. We offer some of the best facilities and will make sure that your stay with us is as comfortable and memorable as possible.
Aug 4, 2019 | Accommodation in Nelspruit
At Nelspruit Lodge we offer travellers a wide range of affordable accommodation in Nelspruit. And our guests don’t have to settle for the normal accommodation when they have the option of staying in truly luxurious rooms. Luxury accommodation doesn’t have to be reserved for those special occasions, sometimes you need to give yourself permission to simply treat yourself to the finer things in life.
Guests who are looking for a little luxury will find that there is all kinds of accommodation boasting luxury status, but perhaps you can’t quite tell the difference between that which is luxurious and that accommodation that is actually quite average. Whether you are planning a holiday or find yourself in search of great accommodation while you are in town on business, it’s good to know how to spot the difference between luxury and normal accommodation, and why sometimes luxury is so much better.
Experience better sleep
When booking luxury accommodation the chances of getting a more comfortable bed and bedding is more likely than when booking cheaper accommodation. You will also experience better sleep because you are possibly going to have a room in a more private area. Other factors that might make your sleep far better is temperature and lighting control.
The option of changing rooms
Should you check into your room and find that it really isn’t what you expected, or should it have some sort of issue, you can always ask to change rooms. This is a benefit you wouldn’t generally have at your disposal if you were renting a place or staying at a mediocre guest house.
The location is so much better
The general location in which the more luxury accommodation is built is oftentimes a lot more private and exclusive when compared to other accommodation.
The service is better
You will without a doubt have better service when you choose luxury accommodation over your other options. You’ll get to enjoy a far superior service and everything from the check ins, to the room service and cleaning will be handled in a professional and friendly manner. Staff at these kinds of places are both well trained and they have loads of experience.
Nelspruit Lodge continues to improve the service and the accommodation we provide, and we have been constructing new accommodation while also giving our existing accommodation a stylish makeover. Our guests can look forward to fabulous rooms, kitted out with exactly what it is you need. Guests can self-cater in our luxury rooms, with a kitchenette available, or they can have a meal at our restaurant.
All of our higher end accommodation is well-priced, making it more affordable for just about everyone. You can book your stay at our lodge online or by giving us a call. You will find all of the basic amenities in our rooms and if there is something you need in particular, you can always ask our helpful staff.
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.
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