Text: Lisa Witepski. Article from the July 2014 Living and Loving Magazine.
Winter is the perfect time to pack the car with the kids and head for a mountain retreat. Lisa Witepski unpacks four she’s tried out.
Trees Company
Magoebaskloof Hotel, Magoebaskloof
If you’ve ever wondered what Brigadoon looked like, you’ll find your answer in the silver mists and forests of Magoebaskloof. This Limpopo town is yet to be discovered by weekenders in search of quaint dorps that offer antiques and artisanal cuisine, so there’s nothing twee or countrified about it. But if you’re on the hunt for vintage loveliness, you’ll find it at the Pennefather complex.
It does, however, have rustic-village charm. And this, combined with fresh mountain air and magnificent views, makes it a place that’s sure to entice parents, while kids are bound to be impressed by adventure activities like hiking, fishing and biking. Treat them to a day with Magoebaskloof Adventures, with options like wall-climbing, abseiling, canyoning, and quad biking for older family members.
Take time out to explore Kings Walden; the exquisite gardens immortalised in journalist Bridget Hilton-Barber’s book, The Garden of My Ancestors. Don’t be surprised if you spy ghosts treading lightly among the ferns.
Magoebaskloof is close enough to the Kruger National Park to allow day-tripping, but you can also visit with orphaned wild animals at the Tshukudu Wildlife Reserve. Alternatively, pack a picnic basket (you’ll find delicious fare at Wegraakbosch Organic Dairy) and head to the Debengeni Waterfall, or take a sunset cruise on the Ebenezer Dam.
The best place to stay? Although there are loads of small guesthouses and B&B’s in the area, the Magoebaskloof Hotel is a great option for families, offering a range of accommodation from self- catering chalets to family rooms complete with bunk beds. www.magoebaskloof.co.za
Kingdom in the Sky
Maliba Lodge, Lesotho
Lesotho is less than five hours’ drive from Johannesburg, but it could be an entirely new world. Well known for its scenery, the little country’s mountainous landscape pierces the heavens. It’s also one of the only places where South Africans can ski – reason enough for it to become a favourite with the kids.
But there’s more: they can also walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs. Lesotho boasts the highest concentration of dinosaur footprints in the world. Also visit the village of Ha Kome, where the houses (once sheltering cannibals) are carved out of caves.
Lesotho is also close enough to Clarens to allow a day trip to the Free State’s arts village; plus, there are a number of nature reserves.
Maliba Lodge has the distinction of being the first five-star lodge in Lesotho, but it also offers accommodation in self-catering three-star cottages. Apart from a plethora of on-site activities and proximity to several diverse attractions, one of its highlights is the Bana Kids Club, which promises to entertain little ones with mini chef lessons, storytime, art lessons, donkey rides and tadpole fishing, www.maliba-lodge.com
Mountain Retreat
Drakensberg Sun, Winterton
This Grande Dame of the mountains has recently been refurbished, so visitors can expect an upgrade to all rooms and facilities. The essence of the Drakensberg Sun has, however, stayed the same – that iconic view of the mountain remains unspoiled, and the range of family-friendly activities is unchanged. This is nature at its best, and one of the most glorious ways to experience it is from above the trees with a canopy tour.
The sprawling hotel grounds has four hiking trails of varying difficulty. Plus there’s horse-riding, canoeing and trout-fishing.
Venture into the town of Winterton for an interesting insight into the area’s history. The Winterton Museum’s the guardian of the community’s heritage, from San art to the Boer War – an ideal excursion for curious minds. The Boer War Battlefields are another reminder of the area’s rich past.
Nature lovers should head to the Spioenkop Dam and Nature Reserve or the Falcon Ridge Birds of Prey Centre. For adrenalin addicts, Four Rivers Adventures offers exciting river rafting. Let the kids enjoy the playground at the Thokozisa Lifestyle Centre while you relax, www.tsogosunhotels. com/Drakensberg-Sun
Quaint Getaway
Wild Forest Inn, Graskop
Jock of the Bushveld country has been an entrancing and magical destination for generations of South Africans – all captivated by stories of courageous transport riders and gold diggers out to make their fortune.
Wild Forest Inn is the ideal hideaway from which to explore this scenic and historical area, which includes the little towns of Sabie, Graskop and Pilgrim’s Rest. Cosy and secluded, this self-catering chalet accommodates families of up to four, with kids sleeping in an attic annex accessed by a ladder.
Once you’ve gloried in the views of the dawn breaking over the valley, get ready for adventure. Start with a hot air balloon ride or helicopter flip so you can take in the breath-taking beauty of a landscape carved by cliffs and waterfalls. But why just look at these stunning features, when you can experience them in their full majesty by going abseiling, gorge swinging, tubing or fly-fishing?
Other unusual activities on offer include archery and gold-panning, as well as a 4×4 route. If you prefer quieter pastimes, go on a sight-seeing expedition. You’ll find some of South Africa’s most famous landmarks in this part of Mpumalanga, including God’s Window, the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Mac Mac Falls.
Don’t forget Pilgrim’s Rest. This living museum is virtually unchanged from its days as a gold rush town, and makes for an interesting excursion. With a little more effort, you can reach the Kruger National Park for a day trip – always worth a visit. www.wildforestinn.com
Natural Charm
Frog Mountain Getaway, Swellendam
There was a time when Swellendam boasted the distinction of being its own republic. Today’s visitors, wandering through the streets of South Africa’s third oldest town, might wonder at these short-lived glory days. But what remains of them is, impressive nonetheless. Georgian buildings and Cape Dutch architecture create a sepia-toned sense of nostalgia that’s almost tangible at monuments like the drostdy (the Magistrate’s Court), the old gaol and Zanddrif, an 18th century homestead reincarnated as a restaurant.
The Langeberg Mountains, located near this enchanting village, are home to Frog Mountain Getaway. If this destination sounds like a magic place dreamed up by Enid Blyton, it looks like one too. Accommodation is provided in rondavels and lodges peeking out from the mountain’s greenery, surrounded by 80 hectares of farmland just waiting to be explored.
For kids, this is an absolute paradise: from gliding above the dams on the foefie slide to splashing in natural rock pools, from scampering all over the old tractor in the playground to bouncing on the trampoline and shooting goals on the mini soccer field, they’re bound to tumble into bed exhausted. Parents, fear not: there’s more sophisticated entertainment, along with some great dining options, waiting in Swellendam. www.frogmountain. co.za
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