Kwela Lodge is privately owned and managed by René and Birgit Oegger (Swiss and German). The property includes 4 ha landscaped and indiginous gardens with ancient trees and 54 ha unspoiled bush and grass plains with thorn trees and Aloes. It is situated at the foot of Otto’s Bluff Mountain with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Albert Falls Dam and Umgeni Valley – and only 15 min. from Pietermaritzburg, 20 min. from Albert Falls Dam Reserve and 50 min. from Durban.
History: The original farmhouse was built in 1841 and belonged to P.A.R. (Pieter Albertus Rhyno) Otto, one of the first settlers to the valley. Otto’s Bluff Mountain is named after him. “Kwela” is the Zulu name for Otto’s Bluff Mountain and means “climb on”. 2 Oak Trees which have been planted by P.A.R. Otto can still be seen in the old farm garden.
From app. 1946 until 1953 “Otto’s Bluff Farm” – as it was then called – was a working farm with dairy cattle, maize and wattle tree plantations and a mill. The old mill stone can still be seen in our front garden as well as the original stone work wall around the old kraal and cows’ stable. Most buildings are made of red brick – the ceiling in the main house, the floor in “The Mill” and the beams in the “The Barn” are made from yellowwood.
n 1936/7 the movie “King Solomons Mines” based on Rider Haggard’s book was shot on location at the foot of Otto’s Bluff Mountain. Rider Haggard came to this area as a learner farmer employed by P.A.R. Otto.
Kwela Lodge is the ideal getaway for the holiday maker or business traveller, nature lover and bird watcher – anyone wanting to relax and seeking tranquility, peace and security in country surrounding for a weekend or longer stay.
Enjoy our beautiful gardens and trees which are home to an abundance of birds and make friends with our farm animals: the horses and donkeys, miniature pigs, chickens, ducks and guinea fowls and the dogs and cats. Or explore the unspoilt African bush on our property with a chance to see Nyala, Duiker, Reedbuck, Warthog and Vervet Monkey.
Facilities for our house guests include:
2 fireplaces in the Main House to warm up chilly winter nights
Pool Room with Aircondition and TV (on request)
BBQ/Braai facilities for functions
Bar facilities
Coffee and Tea making facilities
Saltwater Swimmingpool
Darts and Table Tennis
Arts & Craft Shop
Secure Parking
Internet and Fax facilities
Laundry facilities
Protea Room
Our “Room with a View” – with private entrance (sliding glass door) to the garden overlooking Albert Falls Dam. The spacious room is furnished with a queensize bed, a 2-seater couch in the bay window corner, a table and chair, dressing table, overhead ventilation, TV (SABC, eTV) plus en suite bathroom with bath and integrated shower.
s Add. 1 adult or 2 smaller children possible on sleeper couch or single bed @ R 60.00 p.n.
Aloe Room
A spacious room with a high ceiling and bay window facing the front garden. It is furnished with a double bed, table, chairs and easy chair, a sleeper couch and TV (SABC, eTV).
En suite bathroom with bath and integrated shower.
s Add. 1 adult or 2 smaller children possible on sleeper couch @ R 40.00 p.n.
Imbali Room
An intimate, cosy room facing the Veranda with a double bed, a table and chairs, overhead ventilation and TV (SABC, eTV). This room has got its private bathroom with bath and integrated shower across the passage.
Cosmos Room – (only for group bookings- if all other rooms are taken)
This room is not a “real” guestroom – it is used as an additional room for group or family bookings once all other rooms are booked. It is equipped with 2 single beds, but has not got its own bathroom – to be booked only in conncetion with either the Protea Room or the Imbali Room as the guests have to share the bathroom with one of those guest rooms.
Rates – Guest Rooms (Room only)
|
No. pers. |
Unit rate |
pp sharing |
single rate |
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| Protea Room |
2 |
600.00 |
300.00 |
350.00 |
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| Aloe Room |
2 |
560.00 |
280.00 |
320.00 |
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| Imbali Room |
2 |
470.00 |
235.00 |
285.00 |
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| Cosmos Room |
2 |
350.00 |
175.00 |
225.00 |
- Rates are excluding breakfast
- Full English breakfast = R 50.– pp (children’s rates on request)
PLEASE NOTE:
- The guest rooms are NOT sel catering and have no cooking facilties.
- A Coffee/Tea station and limited space in a fridge are provided.
Selfcatering Cottages:
The Cottages are situated in the farm area a short distance away from the Main House and are part of the original Farm Buildings.
Oak Tree Cottage (6-8 pers.)
This charming, rustic farm cottage is surrounded by its own private, fenced garden with ancient Oak Trees. It has got a patio with braai facilites and garden furniture with a beautiful view of Albert Falls Dam and the bush veld. It is close to the Pool area.
The spacious lounge is furnishd with a couch, table and TV Cabinet (DStv Easy View), a dining room area with table and chairs and a fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, fridge-freezer, microwave and everything else needed. The cottage accommodates 6 guests in 3 bedrooms: the spacious main bedroom with a queen size bed, one bedroom with 2 single beds and another smaller bedroom with 2 single beds. It is a family unit and has got one spacious bathroom with shower to share. Add. 1-2 pers can be accommodated on a double sleeper couch which is in an open room next to the kitchen (separated by a curtain).
Pecan Nut Cottage (4 pers.)
Situated in the farm area amidst Pecan Nut Trees next to the orchard and paddock, this self-catering cottage has 2 separate bedrooms, one with a double and one with two single beds, a bathroom with shower, kitchen plus a dining room area in the passage between the rooms with table and chairs and TV (SABC, eTV). There is a small garden in the back of the cottage facing the sunset and a Braai area plus garden furniture in front of the cottage under the Pecan Nut Tree. The kitchen is equipped with a two-plate electrical stove , fridge-freezer, microwave, hotwater kettle, toaster, pots, cooking utensils, serving bowls, crockery, cutlery, glasses.
Rates – Selfcatering Cottages
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No of person sharing |
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8 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
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| Oak Tree Cottage |
1480.- |
1400.- |
1380.- |
1250.- |
1200.- |
1080.- |
800.- |
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4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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| Pecan Nut Cottage |
960.– |
780.– |
660.– |
390.– |
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- Rates DO NOT include breakfast (Room only) – breakfast on request
s A min. of 2 nights stay and the full unit rate applies on long weekends with public holidays and special events (Comrades, Midmar etc.).
