Feb 10, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
Nelspruit and its natural surrounding areas are filled to the brim with natural attractions of all kinds. When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, guests are in the perfect place from which to explore mountains, hiking trails, dams and caves.
If caving is your thing, a day trip on the Panorama Route will bring you to the famous Echo Caves. This National Monument can be found in the Molopong valley which is situated near Ohrigstad.
The Echo caves were discovered in the 1920’s, by the owner of the farm Klipfontein, while he was searching for water in the area. After searching the land in and around his farm extensively, he came upon the caves and saw that his cattle had already found the caves and the water source. The caves are among some of the oldest of their type in the world and are now a Historical Monument.
The best, and safest, way to explore the caves are by signing up for a guided day trip. Of all the limestone caves, the Echo caves are not that well known, so a visit there is rather a personal affair, sometimes making it just you and the guide on the tour.
Early History and Cave Features
The Echo Caves have been a shelter for humans since the Middle Stone Age. San rock engravings can still be viewed within the caves and can be seen alongside beautiful, ancient rock formations which have taken centauries to form.
The caves were given their name by the local people who used to use the stalactites as a drum which served as an early warning system when Swazi tribes were approaching. The caves are about 40km in depth, and the sound from drumming on the stalactites can be heard throughout the caves. The caves have an eerily feel when the stalactites are drummed and your guide will give the experience.
Today the stalactites and stalagmites can be comfortably viewed from walkways with staircases where needed as well as railings for your safety. Electric lights are fitted throughout the guided tour areas.
The height in one of the rooms is an amazing 60 meters and the caves also boast a chamber 100 meters long. Guides will take you 2 km into the caves and en route you will have the opportunity to view the stunning cave features of stalagmites, stalactites, columns and flowstones.
The Echo Caves have not been thoroughly walked through as yet and so we can only surmise where they end. Some think it ends close to the Strijdom Tunnel, but that is just a calculated guess. For those of us that are not claustrophobic, special tours can be arranged to go deeper into the caves.
When you have absorbed all there is to see inside the caves, be sure to take a look at the various shops close to the area and buy a few keepsakes to remember your time in the area.
Nelspruit Lodge has a number of superb rooms for you to choose from. When staying in Nelspruit, our accommodation offers all of the creature comforts you could want. Book your stay today.
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.
Sep 15, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge
Travelling in and Around Graskop
While visiting Nelspruit, it is well worth your while to take in the beautiful surrounding areas. Graskop is one of those small towns sitting neatly on the Panorama Route. It was once a popular tourist destination, mostly for those passing through, while now it has firmly fixated itself as a must visit place. This small town serves the timber industry, with plantations surrounding the town and back in the day, it was a gold mining camp that dates back to the 1880’s.
The town itself is a great place to stop for lunch and pick up a few souvenirs but most visitors will find the real adventures just outside the town.
The Waterfalls
Scattered around Graskop you will be able to view several waterfalls. Lisbon Falls is said to be one of the most scenic in the area. The Lisbon River separates into three before tumbling 94 meters over a semi-circle rock face, making the Lisbon Falls the highest in the province. The Lisbon Falls are easily accessible for tourists and while you are there why not pack a picnic basket as there are picnic spots available under the shade of lovely trees.
Tumbling down 80 meters from the Sabie River is the Berlin Falls. This waterfall cascades into the most beautiful jade coloured pool below and is surrounded by red cliffs. The Berlin Falls are best observed from the platform above.
Not the highest but by far the most stunning, the Mac Mac Falls plummets 70 meters into a gorge below. Mac Mac Falls is split in two but was not always so. Back in the gold rush days, gold miners actually blasted the rock in an attempt to reach the gold-bearing reef behind the falls thereby splitting the falls into two. During the dry season, you will find that the falls revert back to one stream. Mac Mac Falls has a braai and picnic area as well as several pools where you can cool off after a day of sight-seeing. Mac Mac Falls also has a 3km “Secretary Bird Trail” which offers a delightful walk through the bush.
The Best Views
If you looking for a one of a kind experience, a definite must is a visit to the Graskop Gorge Lift. Guests can hop into this passenger elevator and travel down 51 meters of cliff face into the lush green forest below. Once down in the forest, you will find a massive network of trails made up of suspension bridges and elevated walkways. Also to be seen from the walkways is the Panorama Gorge Falls that stem from the Motitsi River, before crashing down 70 meters into the gorge below. Small retail outlets, a bar and restaurant are balanced on the edge of the cliff and make this an unforgettable experience.
Go Hiking
Finally, you can take a hike on a three-hour circular trail that starts and ends at the Graskop Holiday Resort. This hiking trail is known as the Jock of the Bushveld or Fairyland hike, and is roughly 8km long. Walking along the escapement, you will find yourself overlooking the Pinnacle Gorge. En route you will pass Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s overnight camp as well as pass some oddly shaped rocks known as Fairyland. The only expense you will have on this walk, is the price of your sunscreen, as there is precious little shade.
***
Book your stay at Nelspruit Lodge and experience the vibrancy of Mpumalanga. Our Nelspruit accommodation is affordably priced and centrally located, making it ideal for tourists and those visiting on business.
Aug 31, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Things to in and around Nelspruit
A small town, nestled in the mountains, well away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Sabie is the place to escape to.
Nelspruit accommodation is generally preferable because it means you get to stay in the perfect central location from which you can visit all of the surrounding towns and interesting areas. Sabie is one of those small towns you have to visit!
Sabie is a forestry town about 40km away from Nelspruit. The drive itself is quite an experience all on its own. Either route you choose to take will present the most stunning landscapes filled with forests and mountains. During the winter months, the mountain route might not be the best of ideas, as the mist is thick and creates a danger for motorists.
Once you enter the town, you will experience two things: a laid back atmosphere, and depending on when you visit, a town filled with bikers! Because of the stunning roads that make up the Panorama Route, this part of the world is a biker’s paradise and it lures both local bikers and those looking for a weekend escape from Pretoria and Johannesburg.
How to get the most out of your visit
Sabie is a great place to go for lunch but it is also the perfect place to go exploring. The region is well known for its hiking trails and numerous waterfalls.
Stay for the day
You can accomplish a lot in one day. Heading to the town in the early morning will give you enough time to do some hiking, see a few waterfalls and then treat yourself to a late lunch at one of the many eateries before returning to your Nelspruit accommodation. The Woodsman and the Sabie Brewing Company both offer affordable delicious meals and great company. You can also explore the second hand bookshop and fill your bag with a few local curios.
Stay for more than a day
If you are an outdoorsy kind of person, you couldn’t ask for a better place to go exploring. There is a Sabie Waterfall Route that you can follow. It includes a combination of driving and hiking to get you to the various locations, so packing comfortable shoes, drinks and a snack is a must. If you are going to be visiting the waterfalls, you should pack something warm. Even in the middle of summer, the shaded waterfalls beneath a thick canopy of trees can drastically lower the summer temperatures. Now is also a good time to mention that the temperatures of Nelspruit and Sabie differ quite drastically. With Sabie being a mountain town, the humidity that Nelspruit experiences during the summer is virtually non-existent.
Some of the must see waterfalls include the Sabie Falls, the Lone Creek Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls.
Nelspruit Lodge offers some of the finest accommodation in Nelspruit. Plan your stay with us and include a trip to Sabie.
Recent Comments