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.
Jul 22, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Things to in and around Nelspruit
While staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, it is worth your while to take a look at the surrounding area and indulge in some of the interesting things to do in and around the town.
Halls Farms Store and Flee market
Just outside of Nelspruit, on the N4, is Halls Farm Store. The recently revamped store is a hub of activity. Sporting a lovely coffee shop next to a delightful nursery, you can now enjoy your coffee amongst the trees, succulents and flowers. Browse the shop shelves and you will find a variety of jams and relishes. Here you will not only find shelves packed with fresh fruit and vegetable but also dried fruit and nuts. Famously known for their delicious creamy avos, they now sport a section packed with health foods. Also in the shop is a collection of arts and crafts.
On the lawn across from the Halls Store, on Sundays, they have a spectacular Flee Market.
A children’s play area is available to keep your children occupied while you take in all that the locals have on offer. The market offers a wide variety of goodies, from organic living items to food and drinks. There is also a variety of art and craft stalls.
Rottcher Winery
Rottcher Winery was established in the Heidelberg area of White River in 1959. Just of the R40, a stone’s throw from White River, Rottcher Winery produces wine made from oranges. Not only can you purchase a plain Orange Wine, but do try their delightful Orange Ginger Wine or for the more adventurous, Orange Chilli Wine.
Not only are there wines produced here but also gin. Rottcher Slowveld Gin is a handcrafted gin that has a citrus base and infused with French Oak to give it a rich flavour. Another of the gins produced here is the Rottcher Slowveld Gin – Strawberry infused, this gin is infused with Strawberries, Mint and Black Pepper with a citrus base. They also have a plain citrus gin. Double infused, for the brave amongst us, you can try a shot of their Rottcher Slowveld Mampoer. With a 45% alcohol content, this Clementine mampoer is infused with citrus peel.
Chimp Eden
Take the R40 towards Barberton and about 15 km outside Nelspruit you’ll find Chimp Eden. Established in 2006, this 1000 hectare sanctuary is situated in the Umhloti Nature Reserve. This first-ever Chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa brings chimpanzees closer to humanity through eco-tourism and education. The sanctuary is open to the public from 8h00 to 16h00, Monday to Sunday, so there is no reason to not pop in and visit these animals that were rescued from the trauma of having to entertain at circus’s or nightclubs or have been orphaned, traded in the illegal trade or worse, saved from the meat trade. The chimps here are truly the lucky few that can now live out the rest of their lives safely and trauma-free in semi-wild enclosures where they can once again have normal social interaction. Viewpoints overlooking the forest and foraging area give visitors the opportunity to admire these magnificent animals.
Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre
Keeping to the R40, going through White River, head for Hazyview and just a few kilometres outside White River you’ll find the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre. The goal of the centre is to support local industries and boasts artists, sculptors and potters of award-winning status. Over 35 retail stores will treat your senses, with beautifully landscaped gardens as a background. Take a step back in time to admire the vintage Motor Museum or take a look at the White River Art Gallery collection. After browsing the collection of shops, you can take a seat at one of the many restaurants. You can take your pick depending on what your tastes are, and enjoy anything from a simple drink to a sit-down meal.
Staying at Nelspruit Lodge means you can enjoy some of the finest accommodation in Nelspruit. Book your room and start exploring the surrounds of our most beautiful town.
Jul 15, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge, Things to in and around Nelspruit
Nelspruit Lodge accommodates people from all over the country and because we are situated in a rich tourist area, we encourage guests to make the most of their time here by visiting various interesting places close to Nelspruit.
So while in Nelspruit for a few days, why not make a day of visiting Barberton? Barberton has a rich history, dating back to the 1880’s when it got caught up in the gold rush of that era.
Tom McLachlan discovered gold in 1881 in Jamestown in what is now Barberton, but due to the Malaria in the area, no-one wanted to go there. However, when “French Bob” (Auguste Roberts) discovered gold at Concession Creek in 1883, the gold rush went into overdrive.
Barberton got its name from Graham H Barber but it’s the people who lived there who gave this town its vibrant history.
Infamous Citizens
Go getting ladies like Cockney Liz and Golden Dane were known for selling their “wares” to diggers and pilgrims alike. Much is said about their ill-reputed ways, but in actual fact, these ladies not only entertained the men but it is known that they also gave their time freely to help in hospitals. Golden Dane was one of the only people brave enough to nurse diggers in their tents where they lay dying from malaria. Golden Dane died in Barberton where she was found in a coma after contracting malaria herself. She died without anyone knowing where she came from and without anyone knowing her real name.
Cockney Liz is another known character that Barberton was once home to. She too gained an unseemly reputation that she didn’t quite deserve. But she became an astute businesswoman and made a success of herself nonetheless. There is no record of what happened to Cockney Liz.
Things To Do In Barberton
- Eureka City
Take a 4×4 adventure into the past and visit Eureka City. Approximately 20km from Barberton, this small ghost town was established in 1885 after the discovery of gold on the Sheba Reef. Although in its heyday it sported music halls, a bakery, three hotels and shops as well as a racecourse, all that is left is the ruins of the buildings.
- Guided Heritage Walk Through Historical Barberton
For a taste of the history of Barberton, take a guided tour through the streets of Barberton with a tour guide that can tell you all those little extra bits of information. The walk starts at the Barberton museum and goes past the Lodge of St Johns in the south. Next stop is the Blockhouse, which was built during the Anglo-Boer war by the English to protect the hospital and concentration camp. Built in the 1890’s Fernlea House is next on the list and it has been restored and now houses an exhibition about Rimer’s Creek.
Belhaven House Museum was built in 1904 and is today decorated in a way that displays wealthy middle-class living in the era. 700 meters from Fernlea House stands the Turbine that in 1931 purified the town’s water. A popular gathering place for the locals in bygone days, Rimer’s Creek sported a tearoom that attracted the local barmaids on Wednesday afternoons.
Stopforth House is beautifully furnished with its original furniture and cutlery. Only the façade of the De Kaap Stock Exchange has survived and can be viewed en-route. In front of the Town Hall is a statue of Percy Fitzpatrick’s faith dog “Jock”. Opposite the Town Hall, you can gaze at the English Lodge with its classical architecture. In 1896 the Kaapmuiden – Barberton railway line was opened and a steam train locomotive similar to those once used is on display nearby, and this marks the end of the walk.
- Gold Mine Tour
Take a tour of where gold mining first started in the area. At Agnes Gold Mine you will be equipped with gumboots, lamp and hardhat and taken into an active mine as well as an inactive gold mine. While you are there you can also try your hand at panning for gold.
- Historical Cemetery
Aptly situated at the end of Gospel Street, this cemetery has graves the date back to the 1800s.
- Barberton Garden Of Remembrance
A large military camp was established in the northeast of Barberton during the Second World War. Replicas of the regimental crests and badges of the South African units that passed through this area have been erected in this camp.
Book your Nelspruit accommodation at our comfortable lodge and take a trip into the past when you spend a day in Barberton!
Jun 29, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge
Up high in the misty mountains, just a 30-minute drive from Nelspruit, is the old village of Kaapsehoop. It is the ideal place to spend the day if you are looking to escape the city and get outdoors, and with all of the hiking trails and outdoor activities, you’ll find that Kaapsehoop has plenty to offer.
Kaapsehoop attracts all types of people, from creative and eccentric people looking for a haven of solitude to those who love the outdoors and just want to escape for a weekend. And the beautiful thing about Kaapsehoop is that there really is something for everyone.
Things To Do In And Around Kaapsehoop
This quiet mountain village is the perfect place to spend the day or even just an afternoon. Winters spent by the fireplace in a cosy pub, or summers spent exploring the hiking trails and watching distant storm clouds gather are just a few of the things that locals love to do. Other attractions include a visit to the numerous waterfalls found in between the forest tracks, viewing the wild horses as they come into the village for a snack, or simply walking right out to the escarpment and looking down onto the ancient De Kaap Valley.
Horseback riding, for both pros and amateurs, is another very popular past time and a wonderful way to see the surrounding nature. The Kaapsehoop Horse Trails is a famous company offering just such adventures! Recently Scooter Tours opened shop in the area, giving guests to the village an alternative way to get around. They are ideal for the whole family and their tours take you through the most beautiful surrounding areas.
About Kaapsehoop
Kaapsehoop was originally a mining town. But unlike its compatriot villages, this mining town did not explode into a bustling town. It remained the size that it is today, while nearby mining towns such as Barberton continued to grow.
The village that was once known as the “Duiwel’s Kantoor” was founded in the early 1880’s when gold was discovered in the small stream which runs through the village. Much of the plans to build a town was put aside in favour of digging for gold. But with bigger gold veins being discovered at Pilgrim’s Rest and Barberton in earlier years, and later with gold being found on the Witwatersrand, prospectors turned their attention to towns offering more wealth opportunities and interest in Kaapsehoop declined.
However, unlike other former gold mining areas, Kaapsehoop did not become a ghost town. Instead, it remained a small village and today it allows us to enjoy a break away from city life.
When visiting Nelspruit, a trip up to Kaapsehoop is a must. The short drive up the mountains, into that crisp air, is the perfect recipe for a revived mind. Because the climate up there is quite chilly, many prefer to leave the village before dark and spend their evenings at accommodation in Nelspruit, such as Nelspruit Lodge.
Our accommodation is in the ideal location for those wanting to explore other towns close to the city, as we are central and we have all the comforts you could want in a lodge! Book your stay at our accommodation in Nelspruit today!
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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