MIDLANDS, KZN
Quietly tucked away in the heart of the Midlands, near the foothills of the magnificent Drakensberg mountains, lies a luxurious, family- and pet-friendly lakeside retreat we fondly call The Fisherman’s Cottage.
Escape from the busy world and leave your worries behind as you enjoy the peace and quiet while taking in the beautiful views stretching over the 7ha trout dam – one of the best trout fishing spots South Africa has to offer. Go for a calm paddle on the water and look out for the abundant birdlife gathering around the dam, or head to the little waterfall on the northern side and indulge in a family picnic on the wooden deck, followed by a refreshing swim in the naturally carved-out rock pool. One of our personal favourites is the magical spot on the little hill next to the cottage, where you can sip on sundowners while nature shows off its natural splendour with breathtaking views of the mountains. If you are lucky, you might even be able to spot the rare bald ibis or hear fish eagles calling.
The Fisherman’s Cottage is a place of pure bliss and simple delights, celebrating the thrill of nature for the whole family (including your furbabies) to admire and adore. Let the sound and beauty of the water falling in the distance seep into your soul, leaving you feeling completely serene and far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
THE LOCATION
Take a break from the busy day-to-day and escape to our little piece of heaven at the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains with your family and furries. The Fisherman’s Cottage is the ideal place to relax, kick off your shoes and unwind from the minute you arrive. Set in the heart of the KZN Midlands, this cosy cottage is a mere 15 km drive from the town of Mooi River and 25 km from the popular Nottingham Road.
Breathe in the fresh, Midlands air while taking in the serene beauty of the panoramic views stretching over the 6-hectare trout dam that is known for rewarding fishermen with an impressive catch on a good day. After a day of fishing, paddling and frolicking in the crystal clear water, it’s time to settle down on the patio with a sundowner while watching the day fade away in a spectacular sunset.
THE SPACE
Featuring modern, high-quality furnishings and bespoke artwork, this 8-sleeper self-catering cottage is perfectly set up to be a home away from home and features the following amenities:
- Four bedrooms, all with private bathrooms, are furnished with king-size beds, which can be split into single beds in two of the rooms, upon request. Our bedrooms and bathrooms have underfloor heating, and the cottage has air conditioning;
- The kitchen is fully equipped with all the crockery and cutlery you may require, and all linen and bedding are provided;
- The lounge has comfortable seating, along with a television & DSTV which boasts the full viewing bouquet.
- The enclosed patio, surrounded by panoramic views, has a large, built-in braai with a 10-seater table where you can indulge in bougie brekkies, lazy lunches and decadent dinners;
- If you’re visiting during winter, cuddle up with a glass of red wine to the toasty 270-degree fireplace;
- The cottage has both an inverter and a backup generator for periods of load shedding. Electric geysers have been replaced with gas geysers to ensure there is always warm water available.
THE SURROUNDINGS
The entire property, including the area around the dam, is available for you to explore. Should you wish to learn about the mielies and soy we plant, as well as meet our gorgeous cattle, let us know in advance to ensure that one of our managers is available to give you a tour of the farm.
GETTING THERE:
The cottage is located 15 km away from Mooi River – the first 8 km is paved with asphalt, and the latter 7 km is gravel. If you are travelling during the rainy season, the road can sometimes be difficult to traverse. We strongly advise that you check in with us to find out about the current condition of the road before your date of arrival. In the event that you run into any problems, we are always happy to assist.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- FISHING: We invite our Fisherman’s Cottage guests to fish in the private trout dam that is located just in front of the cottage. If bass fishing is where your heart lies, just touch base with us, and we will point you in the direction of the second dam, located on the property. Please note: we have a strict catch-and-release policy for all our dams.
- GOING OFF THE GRID: The remote location, load shedding and bad weather sometimes affect our internet and DSTV. We cannot guarantee that there will be no interruptions, but we do encourage you to embrace the disconnect from screens, social media and emails while at the cottage.
- WHAT TO PACK: Midlands weather changes rapidly, so be prepared and pack for both warm and cold weather.
- HOUSEKEEPING: The cottage is serviced daily by our lovely domestic worker. She comes in every morning for a couple of hours to do a general cleaning.
EXPERIENCES
SWIM UNDER A WATERFALL OR TAKE ON THE POLAR PLUNGE
On the far side of the dam, you will hear the calming sound of the little waterfall as it plunges over the rocks into the naturally carved-out rock pool below. It’s this tranquil cascade that inspired the name of the farm – “Little Falls.” We invite you to take a stroll down to this magical spot, relax on the large wooden deck or jump into the water for a refreshing swim. If you are feeling brave, why not join our annual, winter “Polar Plunge” challenge… 30 seconds in the icy water… come on, give it a try!
EXPLORE THE DAM BY KAYAK
Get a close-up look at some of the fascinating fauna and flora in and around the dam while enjoying a paddle on one of our kayaks. Lying alongside the garage, you will find 3 kayaks with paddles and life jackets, which you are welcome to borrow. It is imperative to wear a life jacket at all times while utilizing the kayaks.
Please return the kayaks, paddles and life jackets to the undercover area, as and where you found them, as they cannot be left in the sun.
In an effort to make the property a safe environment for families with small children and pets, we have gates leading to the water. Please do not leave these gates open when you have small children around.
TRY YOUR LUCK AT FISHING
Ever caught a fish? You are welcome to give it a go in the dam in front of the house. There is trout in the dam, and we invite you to fish on a catch-and-release basis only. Should you wish to go bass fishing at our other nearby dam, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on the farm, and we will gladly arrange it for you. Please bring your own fishing equipment.
MTB AND TRAIL-RUNNING COUNTRY
Head to the Karkloof MTB trails, just 67 km from Fisherman’s Cottage, and ride on some of the best trails in KZN. The Karkloof trails start from the Karkloof Country Club, and they will be able to advise you on their large selection of routes to choose from.
A mere 30-minute drive will take you into the stunning Kamberg region, which was named one of SA’s Top 10 Mountain Biking Destinations by Country Life, and is home to Glengarry. Here avid cyclists can test their skills on the roughly 15 km long, purpose-built single track or enjoy the landscape with 60 km of sensational riding and running trails. Their tracks are mapped and marked, so remember to ask for maps and number plates at their reception.
Cost: Visitors R30 per day
For those wanting to explore a bit further, there are also the Drakensberg MTB Trails near Bergville and Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.
Looking for more? Find more detailed information on mountain-biking trails across South Africa here or chat to us about route options, as we often cycle around the area and will gladly assist.
HIKE INTO THE MOUNTAINS
The best way to really get in touch with nature and let go of the stresses of daily life is to head into the mountains…on foot. It’s no secret that the Drakensberg area is home to incredibly scenic hiking trails. One of our favourites is Giants Castle Berg View – a 6.4-km loop trail near Highmoor, KZN. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 hours to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.
GO GOLFING
The Midlands boasts fantastic golf courses. Bring your golf clubs with you and book a round of golf at:
- Gowrie Farm 033 266 6348, OR
- Bosch Hoek 033 234 4232
ADRENALINE-PUMPING WHITE RIVER RAFTING AND MORE
Looking for some adventure? Book a spot with Four Rivers Rafting and Adventures near Winterton in the Central Drakensberg – 85 km away. They offer a wide variety of activities including white water rafting, zip lining, paintball, quad bike rides and kloofing in Kong Canyon.
Contact details:
083 785 1693
Alternatively, take a 150 km drive towards Bergville (in the Central Drakensberg) and visit All Out Adventures to go quad biking, mountain biking or zip lining.
Contact details: 079 417 4989
TAKE A TRIP IN A HOT AIR BALLOON
For a truly unforgettable morning, experience the beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains from above. Drakensberg Ballooning is located just 8 km outside Winterton and offers daily flights. This is a bucket list must!
FLY THROUGH THE TREES WITH KARKLOOF CANOPY TOURS
Swing through the trees like Tarzan with The Karkloof Canopy Tour. It consists of 12 platforms and 10 zip-line slides, the longest of which is 200 m! A tour lasts approximately two hours and is an absolute blast.
Contact details: 076 241 2888
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!
Hungry after all of that adventurous fun? We have a few delightful restaurants and breweries in the area:
Bierfassl
If you are looking for a pub with great food and atmosphere, Bierfassl is the place to go. The pub offers over 35 different beers from around the world, including our very own local draught beers from Nottingham Road Brewery. Their speciality is traditional German cuisine. Guten Appetit!
Contact details: 033 266 6320
La Lampara
La Lampara is our favourite Italian restaurant in the area. Many people even drive up from Durban to come here for lunch! They are especially busy on weekends, and we would recommend booking in advance.
Contact details: 082 416 0195.
Linga Lapa
We struggle to drive past Linga Lapa without stopping for something. Their meat, jams, bread, biltong, and famous curry mince pies are all incredibly scrumptious! They also know how to cook some exceptional spare ribs and steak.
Midlands Fable
Take a stroll through the romantic Fable gardens, followed by a farm-fresh breakfast – packed with flavour – or stay for a scrumptious lunch at the Taproom. Midlands Fable is the perfect spot for the whole family to eat, explore and shop – it’s a feast for your senses.
Contact details: 072 046 7516
Netherwood Blueberry Cafe
Located near Nottingham Road is a well-known breakfast spot that also caters for those with bigger appetites, in their larger Fork ‘n’ Cleaver restaurant during lunch and dinner. Here you can indulge in their signature home-grown steaks while also sampling some of their home-brewed craft beer. Make sure to pay a visit to their “loo with a view” and also try to spot some of their impressive Ankole cattle (think long-horn cattle) and Alpacas grazing in the fields below.
Terbodore Coffee Roasters
We love visiting them for great coffee and lunch… and to say hello to their lovely Great Danes. You can also buy some of their freshly roasted coffee beans on site to take home.
Contact details: 033 330 2380
OTHER PLACES WORTH VISITING
- The Karkloof Farmers Market – Saturdays from 8h00 -12h00
- Earth Route market Nottingham Road – Saturdays from 7h30 – 11h00
- Piggly Wiggly
- The Old Mushroom Farm.
We have left some brochures and a Midlands Meander Booklet on the kitchen table that you are welcome to browse through it. It’s filled with loads of interesting places to visit, so pick your Midlands Meander route and head out for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day. If you would like to buy one of them to take home, please leave R30 on the kitchen counter upon departure.
GO ON, SPOIL YOURSELF
Fordoun Spa and Brahman Hills allow for ultimately luxurious and serene pampering experiences. They provide services that range from Holistic healing to facials and are all located less than 50 km away.
Contact details:
Brahman Hill with Healing Earth – 033 266 6965
Fordoun Spa – 033 266 6217
RATES
FISHERMAN’S COTTAGE RATES 2023
IN SEASON RATES:
R5500 per night
SUN – THURS (OUT OF SEASON):
R4500 per night
FRI – SUN (ALL YEAR):
R5500 per night
Please note: From 01 December 2023 – mid-Jan 2024 the HIGH SEASON rate is R6000 per night
We have a buy three and get one free special (that runs out of season)
FISHERMAN’S COTTAGE RATES 2024
IN SEASON RATES:
R6000 per night
SUN – THURS (OUT OF SEASON):
R5000 per night
FRI – SUN (ALL YEAR):
R6000 per night
Please note: From 01 December 2024 – mid-Jan 2025 the HIGH SEASON rate is R6500 per night
IN SEASON:
10 December – 15 January
18 March – 15 April
15 June – 15 July
CONTACT DETAILS
Contact us directly to book your stay and receive the best available booking rates.
FOLLOW US
Error: No feed with the ID 1 found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
