Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Natal Midlands » Midlands Meander » BalgowanBeaconvlei - The Boat HouseBeaconvlei - The Boat HouseDescriptionThe Boat House, situated 20m from the edge of our 50 acre private dam, is a picturesque, fully equipped thatched cottage, which sleeps up to five people. It consists of one large and luxurious en-suite bedroom and a large open plan living room with a bunk bed and sleeper couch, and a second bathroom. The Boat House is warmed in winter by a fireplace and heaters. Braai facilities are available, and the lounge is equipped with TV.
Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, and situated centrally on the famed Midlands Meander, Beacon Vlei boasts one the largest private dams in the area, affording panoramic views of water and beautiful countryside.
The dam provides excellent trout fishing! In fact, the 1965 Natal record rainbow trout was caught in this dam by Michaelhouse pupil Frank Stacey. The monster trout weighed 10.2 pounds (about 4.6kg)! We stock our dam annually with only the healthiest brown and rainbow trout from the Drakensberg. Guests are welcome to fish and use the boats free of charge. Please note that we only allow fly fishing and rods are available to hire.
Beacon Vlei is registered with Birdlife South Africa as a Birder Friendly Establishment. Some of the birds of special interest found on Beacon Vlei include the Crowned Crane, Purple Heron, African Fish Eagle, Olive Woodpecker, African Jacana and Marsh Harrier. We are a birding site on the Midlands Birding Route and are confident that during the spring and summer months the multitude of birds that flock to our dam and the surrounding wetland will delight most birders. We are also extremely lucky to have a pair of Crowned Cranes nesting in the wetland around the dam. Trails, viewpoints and picnic spots around the dam and property provide our guests with hours of entertainment and relaxation.
Depending on the season, duiker, reedbuck and bushbuck can be sighted. Other wildlife on Beacon Vlei include otters, jackal, porcupine and genet.
We are dedicated to providing our guests with a relaxing and therapeutic stay. Whether this means taking it easy at one of the top quality day spas in the area, or challenging yourself to something more adventurous, such as mountain biking, horse riding, canopy tours, birding the Midlands Birding Route or hot air ballooning, Beacon Vlei and the KwaZulu Natal Midlands has it all! We can arrange bookings for these and other activities in the region, as well as advise on the many arts and crafts shops found on the Midlands Meander. We are also surrounded by a selection of great restaurants, and can make these reservations as well.
A good night's sleep is one of the most important of life's luxuries. All our beds are of the highest quality and we only use the finest cotton linen and down duvets. We offer our guests a choice of down and synthetic pillows and we adhere to strict hygiene standards as stipulated by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Our soaps are handmade using 100% natural ingredients by La Source Soaps, a KZN Midlands based company. Awards: - Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
- Pietermaritzburg Tourism
- BirdLife South Africa (Birder Friendly Establishment)
- Midlands Meander Member
RatesSTANDARD RATES - 2008 BOAT HOUSE – WKEND | Feb – May | 1 – 2 people | R590.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R790.00 | Jun – Aug | 1 – 2 people | R560.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R670.00 | | Sept – Jan | 1 – 2 people | R590.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R790.00 |
BOAT HOUSE – WK DAY | Feb – May | 1 – 2 people | R500.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R620.00 | Jun – Oct | 1 – 2 people | R450.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R560.00 | Nov – Jan | 1 – 2 people | R500.00 | | | 3 – 5 people | R620.00 |
Minimum 2 nights over the weekend Additional breakfasts – R50.00 pp
DirectionsDirections from DBN
From Durban , take the N3 (Toll Road) to Johannesburg. After Pietermaritzburg and after Hilton there are 2 or 3 turn-offs to Howick. Take the "HOWICK(NORTH)/TWEEDIE" off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn LEFT. You go under a railway bridge, up a hill and come to a T junction. At the T junction go RIGHT. You will now be on the R103. You will shortly see a sign BALGOWAN 19kms. (Balgowan is where you wish to get to.)
After 19 Kms you will see a sign "Currys Post 12kms". Turn RIGHT here up a dirt road and Beacon Vlei is 300m up the dirt road on your Left. There is a Beacon Vlei sign board.
You have arrived. The Manor House and the Boat House are at the bottom of the drive which is about 800m long.
NB. There is more than 1 road sign to Currys Post. Be sure only to take the turn at the sign "Currys Post 12 kms" sign.
Directions from JHB
From Johannesburg , take the N3 (Toll Road) to Durban. Shortly after the Mooi River Toll-Gate there is an off-ramp to "Nottingham Road". Take this off-ramp. At the top of this off-ramp go RIGHT to Nottingham Road. Follow the road for 8kms into Nottingham Road. At Nottingham Road keep left. Stay on the road you are on and follow the sign to "Balgowan" (Balgowan is where you wish to get to.)
10Kms after Nottingham Road you will pass Michaelhouse School on your Right. Immediately after the school is a sign "Currys Post 12Kms".
Turn Left here and Beacon Vlei is 300m up the dirt road on your Left. There is a Beacon Vlei sign board.
You have arrived. The Manor House and the Boat House are at the bottom of the drive which is about 800m long. |
Robyn Hulley or Alex Drew
+27 (0)33 234 4486
+27 (0)33 234 4367
+27 (0)83 245 7123
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