Those wanting to relax and savour the tranquility and beauty of the surrounds will not be disturbed. Bask in the sun at the rim-flow pool with its views over the expansive Sterkfontein Dam or indulge in a massage in your suite. Stroll around the indigenous garden or the extensive rose garden or watch the Koi glide through the cool waters of the pond.
The more energetic can choose from a host of on-site activities.
Hiking |
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Venture out with a delicious picnic basket prepared by our Chef, for a day of exhilarating hiking through the Nature Reserve.
The Lodge has employed the services of an independent consultant who, working with Nature Conservation, has developed a number of exciting hikes in local Conservation areas. The hikes are relatively easy and designed to allow guests to discover and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings with its grasslands and abundant wild flowers.
Hikes include visits to San rock paintings, wetlands and picnic spots.
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Fly fishing |
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Sterkfontein dam is the home of a large variety of different species of fish , one of which is the yellowfish. Fly-fishing for this species is internationally acclaimed with hundreds of fish being caught in the season which generally lasts from October to the end of March.
The clarity of the water is so good that sight fishing is the order of the day. To cast a dry fly at a sighted fish in the shallow with a 5wt rod is the pinnacle of fresh water fly fishing.
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Bird watching |
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The 18,000 ha Sterkfontein Game Reserve is a birder's paradise, with a bird list of 195 species.
There have been excellent sightings of Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture. In short grassland areas Yellow-breasted Pipit and Amur Falcon have been observed.
Local waterbird species include Little Grebe, Goliath Heron, Egyptian Goose, South African Shelduck, Caspian Tern, African Fish-Eagle and Osprey. In the grassland and open bush areas Common Quail, Grey-winged Francolin, White-bellied Korhaan, Ground Woodpecker, Mountain Wheatear, Buff-streaked Chat, Drakensberg Prinia and Yellow-crowned Bishop are spotted regularly.
The rocky slopes provide habitat for several species such as Red-winged Francolin, Cape Rock-Thrush and, during winter, Malachite Sunbird. Other raptors such as Verreauxs' Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Black Harrier and Rock Kestrel are common, while Southern Bald Ibis breeds on sandstone krantzes in the reserve and can be seen foraging in grassland. Look out for the rare Rudd's Lark which occurs in short grassland.
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Game viewing |
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The Sterkfontein Dam Game Reserve is populated by a wide variety of soft skin game including zebra, springbok, blesbuck, eland, red hartebeest, duiker, reedbuck, springbuck, jackal and the endangered lechwe.
These animals can sometimes be spotted from the viewing deck of the Lodge but guests are more likely to see them on hikes, horse trails and boat cruises.
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Boat cruises |
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Daily cruises for game viewing are offered in the Lodge's 29ft Sea Ray Bow Rider, which can accommodate up to 16 people. The biggest in its class, the boat has a fridge, toilet, sophisticated sound system, tables for snacks and cocktails and is controlled by a state of the art computerised system.
Swimming from the boat is a popular diversion. The boat can also be chartered for private sundowner cruises and romantic getaways to lesser known sites on the dam. Charter rates are dependant on the nature and duration of the cruise.
Our Chef provides delicious snacks and cocktails for sunset boat cruises and charters.
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Horse riding |
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Explore the surroundings on one of the Lodge's specially bred horses. Well trained and sure-footed, these horses are suitable for riders of all levels.
Guests are accompanied on outrides by a Lodge groom and can choose an easy or more rigorous outride, with the option of stopping at a picnic site to enjoy a delicious picnic prepared by the Chef.
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