Heysbrook LodgeDescription:
Heysbrook Lodge is an exclusive twenty bed country lodge set in a secluded valley of 1 300 hectares (which becomes a gorge) on the Mpumalanga escarpment. Despite its privacy, the entrance to the property is directly off the N4 highway one kilometre east of Waterval Onder, below the Elands falls and the NZAZM tunnel in the Elands Valley.
Conveniently situated exactly half way between Johannesburg and Maputo, in Mozambique, Heysbrook Lodge is a comfortable two hours drive from Johannesburg International airport and forty-five minutes from Nelspruit International airport.
The accommodation and facilities are in turn-of-the century style architecture. Sandstone walls, wooden floors and corrugated roofing blend into the indigenous bush and ancient ruins that surround the lodge site, along the bank of the Heys brook.
Whilst the lodge is at an altitude of 1 200 m above sea level (300 m lower than Johannesburg), the highest point on the estate is 2 100 m and is only one kilometre from the lodge. Accordingly evenings are cool and the days are warm. The estate is in a malaria free area.
The Heysbrook stream runs the length of the property, some seven kilometres, and supports a wild population of small rainbow and brown trout.
Heysbrook accommodation is made up of a centrally positioned lodge comprising of the living areas. The bar, dining room, lounge and several indoor/outdoor verandas and wooden decks flow from one area to another. The adjacent kitchen is an integral part of the lodge, providing one with homely atmosphere (and a chat to the resident chef, Coetzee). A loft holds a portfolio of selected wines. There is DSTV in the bar and in the conference room.
The lodge has spectacular views in all directions, up and down the valley as well as across towards the mountains framed against a setting sun.
On account of the cold highveld air that flows down the valley in winter, there are wood burning fireplaces in all rooms.
The ten bedrooms, each en suite with fireplaces in the bedrooms (and most in the bathrooms!) are generously spaced apart from the lodge and from other bedrooms.The closest bedroom is some fifty metres from the lodge and the furthest some 150 metres, along a meandering wooden boardwalk that takes you through the three hundred year old stone kraal ruins, around which the lodge was built. All bedrooms are large (approximately 50m2), have private views from the baths, outdoor showers and (shortly) mini bars. All bedrooms can accommodate two single or one king size bed.
The sandstone conference room is built into the side of the riverbank overlooking several pools on the Heysbrook stream. Sliding glass doors prevent the alluring sound of running water from detracting from work related matters. Conferencing facilities are state of the art with facilities for a light projector, overhead projector, flip charts and videos. Surround sound and a big screen television are work-in-progress. The conference room is 12m by 8m and accommodates up to 25 delegates in horseshoe layout, 40 in classroom and 60 in cinemas layout. This is immediately adjacent to the main lodge.
Undercover parking is provided out of sight of the lodge ensuring that the complete absence of any indication of the modern world is continued. Distractions will occur, though they will be from the shrill call of a kingfisher, the splash of a rising trout or a bark from a visiting Bushbuck.
A particularly interesting walk of approximately 45 minutes - each way – takes you to the Pachner goldmine. Here there are approximately 200m of tunnels (though we have not yet explored them all) dug horizontally into the side of the mountain, adjacent to a small stream, which flows into the Heys brook. We have named both the stream and the mine after the mine foreman. The mine was closed in 1924. Do take along a torch, and be prepared to squelch through areas of mud inside the tunnels. A walk through these old tunnels is both safe and interesting, provided one does not have a bat phobia!
A particularly impressive walk is to Square face, the rock surrounded rectangular pool at the base of the Heysbrook waterfall, which marks the southern extreme boundary of the property. This walk will take in the order of 5 hours from the lodge, remembering that it takes a further 5 hours to get back again!
A walk up the eastern slope from the lodge takes you to several fortifications of rock and barbed wire. Our research indicates that these were British observation points that were probably manned by heliograph operators communicating with the town of Waterval Boven. There are also large kraal enclosures, which pre-date the Anglo Boer war by some 200 years. The round trip takes about four hours.
A well established trail leads one from the lodge up the western escarpment where one looks down on a spectacular waterfall on the Pachner stream and down onto the lodge. The crowned eagles are often seen on this walk. This walk too is approximately four hours for the round trip.
A twenty-minute walk to the dam on the eastern slope of the estate is relatively easy with a view down the length of the valley of Heysbrook.
There are many more walks and hikes available. It is advised to discuss these with lodge management before setting off. The estate is large and many walks are isolated and secluded.
Each second Sunday morning the Oosterlijn Steam Company runs a vintage train from Waterval Boven to Onder, and back again. This ten-kilometre journey is along the edge of the escarpment and offers superb views of the valley, the Elands Waterfall and views of Heysbrook.
Price Info:
R925.00 per person per night sharing
R325.00 single supplement
Rates are per person sharing, per night, inclusive of brunch, high tea, a five-c
ourse dinner and most activities.
Children are welcome at Heysbrook, subject to the following:
Aged three and under sharing a room with adults stay free.
Four to eight year olds may share a room with adults (a maximum of two children
) at: R555.00
Children in their own rooms will pay ordinary rates.
Children eight and under will eat separately and at different times from the usu
al meal times.
It is requested that children refrain from using the main lodge after 6 o’clock
in the evening, Baby-sitting and a TV room are available.
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| Waterval-Boven, Mpumalanga| In-Room Facilities: | | None, or no information available |
| On-Site Facilities: | | None, or no information available |
| Close-By Facilities: | Fishing - River
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