I Love Nelspruit Because …

Hi, I’m Charmaine de Lange from Eco Eden Bush Lodge in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

Nelspruit IS BEST KNOWN FOR its excellent climate, bushveld and nearby Kruger National Park.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT God’s Window on the Panorama route, an easy day drive with numerous waterfalls as well as the gold diggers town of Pilgrim’s Rest en route.  The scenery is literally breathtaking as you stand on top of the escarpment, looking into the KNP and Mozambique in the distance.

THE BEST action PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT The Big Swing in Graskop or doing white water rafting on the Sabie River.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Kaapsehoop, Blyde River Canyon and of course of the Big Five.

WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO relax around our stunning swimming pool.

WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO cuddle around a campfire in our boma.

I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS January to December, BECAUSE of the Lowveld’s all year round warm climate.

MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Mugg and Bean at the Crossings Centre. You will find them at Shop 29, Nelspruit Crossing, on the corner of the N4 and White River Road. Stop by for one of their delicious muffins as well.

FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Jock and Java in Ferreira Street. This is a lovely family restaurant with unique indoor and outdoor seating.

MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Orange Restaurant, TRY THE smoked trout and beef fillet!

BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Super Steers who stays open until after midnight.

MY FAVOURITE fishing SPOT IS on the Blyde and Elands Rivers.

FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Emnotweni Casino and Explorers Bar at the Riverside Mall.

IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO Jock and Java Restaurant and pub. Don’t forget every second Monday night they host a quiz evening!

Nelspruit’s BEST KEPT SECRET ARE the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Chimp Eden Sanctuary and the various local happenings over weekends, especially Blue Moon Concerts.

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS a breakfast run along the Panorama Route and you don’t need a motorbike for this!

FOR SOME CULTURE, I LIKE TO GO TO the Shangaan Cultural Village.

TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO spend time at one of the many scenic waterfalls with a picnic basket and good book.

IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY walk with elephant at Elephant Whispers. Here you can experience an elephant interaction with all six of the elephants. You will be able to touch them and learn more about their behaviour.

MY FAVOURITE HIKE IS Fanie Botha Hiking Trail over four days. The trail has three different starting points: the Ceylon, President Burger or Graskop Huts.

MY FAVOURITE biltong SHOP IS Halls Gateway.

MY FAVOURITE bird WATCHING SPOT IS the look-out at Eco Eden from where more than 100 species of birds in abundance can be observed throughout the year.

IF YOU’RE HERE IN June / July, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Innibos Festival. This is a family orientated eventincluding music, theatre, visual arts, craft stalls and more. It attracts visitors of more than 100 000 each year.

MY FAVOURITE ART GALLERY IS Casterbridge in White River. CHECK OUT THE local names like Bosch and Van der Merwe.

MY FAVOURITE BUILDING are found in Kaapsehoop and Pilgrims Rest, FOR ITS historical value, dating back to the times of gold panning.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Chimp Eden Sanctuary and Jock of the Bushveld.

BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS the local Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO visit the nearby Mozambican sea resorts, only 180km on the N4.

THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS roaming game, even right in town!

MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS to the Bourkes Luck Potholes and the Animal Rehab Centre.

WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I invite learners from surrounding villages for a boma braai and some environmental education.

I Love Nelspruit BECAUSE it has a rich culture and history and it is my home.

Useful Nelspruit Links

• Nelspruit Attractions
• Things to Do in Nelspruit
• Nelspruit Hotels
• Nelspruit Accommodation
• Mpumalanga Hotels
• Mpumalanga Accommodation

Desirable Digits

The Big Swing: +27 (0)13 767 1621
Mugg & Bean: +27 (0)13 752-2250
Jock and Java: +27 (0)13 755-4969
Orange Restaurant: +27 (0)13 744-9507
Lowveld Botanical Garden: +27 (0)13 752-5531
Chimpanzee Eden: +27 13 (0)745-7406
Shangana Cultural Village: +27 (0)13 737-7000 or +27 (0)13 737-6970
Elephant Whispers: +27 (0)13 737-7876
Casterbridge Farm: +27 (0)13 751-1540
Nelspruit Farmers Market: +27 (0)13 752-2801