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.
