DescriptionWelcome to BrambleBerry Country Lodge, located in the Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal. This private, 8 bedroom, 16 sleeper, has been tastefully decorated, with each room offering its own individual charm, en-suite bathroom or shower, and heaters, will delight the most fastidious of guests. The lodge offers satellite television and has a full kitchen and entertainment bar area which you can stock with your own refreshments. The hosts will make any advance purchases of food or beverages on your behalf if requested. . BrambleBerry Private Estate Homestead is an exclusive 4 bedroom log style home built on the edge of the dam. Otterberry Tale You’re probably wondering what a regular old Otter like me is doing narrating this tale, but who better to share the majestic secrets of the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands than a wily old soul who has seen it all. I’m a migratory sort of fella, if you get my drift, and move around from farm to farm, lodge to lodge, and sometimes, kitchen to kitchen – yes I know, it’s not quite the done thing, but what can a fella do when the fish are lean and the fry pan is full. Anyway, enough chatter. I really want to tell you about the most magnificent spot I’ve discovered.Over the years I used to escape to a magnificent 4-hectare dam on a farm just off the R103 only 4 kilometres from the Nottingham Road junction. It was a kind of get away place for me, where I used to swim, laze in the sun, and share the rocks with indigenous wildlife, butterflies and insects or eyeball the odd buck, and catch the odd snack. One day I arrived to find a lot of activity, and being the curious chap that I am, I started to visit more and more often, watching the virgin land transform into one of the most beautiful havens I have ever seen in the Midlands. That was a while ago, and now nestled in this tranquil valley, you will find BrambleBerry Country Lodge. Blending in with the local environment, this cosy country lodge has been built with pine logs, straight out of the Knysna forests. The magnificent 4 hectare dam is now surrounded by 130 hectares of pine forest, a landscape that is destined to change over time, but never alter in its roots - but wow is it beautiful! And can you imagine my delight. The dam is now full of rainbow and brown trout, feisty little fellas I might add, and the lush indigenous landscape boasts green rolling lawns, the beautiful and serene BrambleBerry Country Lodge, and the friendliest people you have ever met. That’s right, I get to have the odd swim and snack but never enough to be a nuisance. Guests will enjoy the sounds of Egyptian geese, duck, tree frogs, and fall asleep under the millions of stars that fill the clear, overhead skies. This is tranquility and splendour in the extreme. The lodge overlooks the dam. Now for some big words. Rooms are comfortably appointed with en suite bathrooms, heating and the quaintest décor – how do I know? Peeped in through the windows of course. I do get around you know. If you take time out for long relaxed walks though the forest you might find buck, porcupine and other creatures of the wild. Cosy log fires, an abundance of trout and the tranquil call of the wild makes this one of the most romantic and peaceful bed & breakfast havens on the Midlands Meander. Legend has it that a giant trout occupies the dam. He was once almost caught when the dam was first built and stocked, but has never been hooked since. I see the original rod from which he escaped lies proud above The Trout & Otter at the Lodge. Over the years, numerous stories have unfolded, with the occasional sighting of “Ted” the giant trout, but to this day he eludes the fly. I can vouch for his existence. Oh yes, once when I was swimming deep at about 6 metres on the one side of the dam, I came face to face with him, or rather nose to snout. He gave me that kinda “ don’t mess with the big guy” look, flicked his tail and disappeared. I shot to the top, and jumped onto the island in the middle of the dam - I see a little sign has now been erected by the two cute girls I see paddling around, and my favourite spot is now named after me – Otter Island. So where do I spend my leisure time now? You guessed it. On any fine day you might catch a glimpse of me frolicking in the crystal clear waters of the dam at BrambleBerry Country Lodge, basking in the sun, or trying to catch another glimpse of the elusive Ted. Farmers in the region are only too glad to see the back of me, but others say I’m quite cute, a bit of a ladies man if you know what I mean. If you want to get away from it all, with only an hour’s drive from Durban, or three and a bit from Johannesburg, BrambleBerry Country Lodge is the place to relax. Get out the fly rod, or simply take in the beauty of the valley – it’s all yours for the taking. And if you want to get back into the bustle of the country at Nottingham Road, quaint shops and restaurants are just up the road. Me, I choose the quiet life, so I know where I’ll be relaxing. See you there. RatesLODGE - BED & BREAKFAST Room 1 - R445.00 per person per night sharing Room 2 - R395.00 per person per night sharing Room 3 - R445.00 per person per night sharing Room 4 - R395.00 per person per night sharing Room 5 - R395.00 per person per night sharing Room 6 & 7 - R425.00 per person per night sharing Children under 6 years old - R175.00 per night
LODGE - SELF CATERING The Lodge is ideal for exclusive hire. Sleeping configuration: 8 if own room required 11 if sharing rooms where single bed arrangements exist 16 is sharing rooms in single & double bed arrangements The rate is R4,000 per night self-catering
ESTATE HOMESTEAD Limited to 8 people. The rate is R2,000 per night self-catering
DirectionsFrom the North Exit the N3 at the Nottingham Road Offramp. Travel on the R103 From Nottingham Road to Balgowan. Pass Rawdons, Pass Jim Green. Turn right onto the D830. Travel up the hill to the railway line. At the railwayline, turn right and follow the road to the Lodge. From the South Travel on the R103 towards Nottingham Road. Pass Michaelhouse. Travel about 4km, pass Notting Hill Lodge. Turn left onto the D830 and travel up the hill to the Railway line. At the railwayline, turn right and follow the road to the Lodge. |
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