Nkwali Lodge

Nkwali is a 200-hectare lifestyle farm in the Mpumalanga highlands, situated on the very edge of the escarpment, where the Highveld meets the Lowveld. The land drops down in dramatic cliffs, providing sweeping views and an edge-of-the-world feeling. The nature on the farm is natural and wild, with waving grasslands dotted with indigenous wild herbs, and mountain streams with natural pools and waterfalls.

Come and live simply and gently on the earth, away from city hustle and bustle. Nkwali Lodge was designed by a passionate eco-architect and was built onto a small group of stone ruins which were destroyed by fire and then rebuilt and added-to over two years, with much care and attention to detail.

Small game abounds on the farm, but being wild, they are quite shy and elusive. The animals stay far from any humans, so none of them pose any danger to visitors. The wildlife includes various small buck, several cats, caracals, hares, otters and monkeys. Migrant wild horses also spend time on the farm, where they come regularly to drink from the dam and eat the sweet green grass. We have purposely removed all boundary fences, to allow the wild animals as much free range as possible.

Nkwali Lodge is a self-catering lodge, consisting of a small grouping of thatch buildings, architect-designed to create a cosy village atmosphere. The entire lodge consists of three suites, each of the suites sleeps two guests which are totally private with full en-suite bathrooms.

The lodge has no electricity, but everything is provided for your comfort. There are numerous lanterns in the rooms, creating a romantic atmosphere at night. Hot water bottles can be found on the beds and there is a cosy fireplace in the lounge. Hot water is heated with a donkey boiler.

The communal areas include the kitchen, dining room, lounge and lapa, and a large outdoor area to encourage relaxed interaction. The lodge is only let out to one group at a time. The three double bedrooms each have queen-size beds and the bedding is all cotton, with feather duvets and pillows, big fluffy blankets and hot water bottles in the winter.

A communal lounge, kitchen and dining room forms the social hub of the little village. The dining room features a big eight-seater table and a fireplace ready to light. The lounge is comfortable and casual, with big couches and a comfy over-sized beanbag, leading onto a covered veranda with a stunning view.

The kitchen boasts granite counters and a gas stove and oven, and is fully stocked for self-catering including a stove top, toaster and kettle. You need only bring groceries, as the nearest shops are 25 km away. There are two fridges in the kitchen, both 100-litre bar fridges with small freezers on top. The geyser and fridges are run on gas.

There is a lapa set slightly lower than the house, and walled to protect you on windy nights. It features a braai, a fireplace and an antique bread-pizza oven, and guests will receive enough firewood to braai every day.

Please note that the last 5 km of road to the lodge is a rough sand road. Guests should ideally drive a vehicle with good ground clearance, or alternatively,if travelling in an ordinary sedan, drive very slowly.