Pietermaritzburg Accommodation / Kwela Lodge Natal Midlands Accommodation / Guest Lodge in Pietermaritzburg

Kwela Lodge is privately owned and managed by René and Birgit Oegger (Swiss and German). The property includes 4 ha landscaped and indigenous gardens with ancient trees and 54 ha unspoiled bush and grass plains with thorn trees and Aloes. It is situated at the foot of Otto's Bluff Mountain with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Albert Falls Dam and Umgeni Valley - and only 15 min. from Pietermaritzburg, 20 min. from Albert Falls Dam Reserve and 50 min. from Durban.

Kwela Lodge is the ideal getaway for the holiday maker or business traveller, nature lover and bird watcher - anyone wanting to relax and seeking tranquillity, peace and security in country surrounding for a weekend or longer stay.

Enjoy our beautiful gardens and trees which are home to an abundance of birds and make friends with our farm animals. Explore the unspoilt African bush on our property or simply relax at the Pool and listen to the rustle of the Palm Leaves above you. Be inspired by the history of this magic place - and if you are interested, there is more information in the Main House about the Otto's Family.

Accommodation

The guest rooms are situated in the front part of the Main House and used to be the rooms of the previous farm owners and their family. They still include some of the original interior to preserve the charm of the settler's home (bay windows, high ceilings, doors, wooden floors, bathroom tiles, etc.)

Protea Room
Our "Room with a View" - with private entrance to the garden overlooking Albert Falls Dam. Facilities include a queen size bed, lounge area with 2-seater couch, table and chairs, dressing table, overhead ventilation, TV (SABC, eTV) and en suite bathroom with bath / shower.

Aloe Room
A spacious airy room facing the front garden and equipped with a double bed, lounge area with table and easy chairs, sleeper couch, TV (SABC,eTV) and en suite bathroom with bath and shower.

Imbali Room
A smaller but very cosy room facing the Veranda with a double bed, chairs and overhead ventilation. This room has got its own bathroom with bath and shower, but separate across the passage.

Oak Tree Cottage
Situated in the former farm garden with a view on Albert Falls Dam this charming, rustic cottage is a self-catering family unit. Surrounded by ancient oak trees in its own private garden it consists of a spacious lounge with a couch, table and TV Cabinet (SABC, eTV) and a dining room area with table and chairs, a separate little lounge, bathroom with shower, a well equipped kitchen plus braai facilities. It can accommodate 6 guests in 3 bedrooms: the spacious main bedroom with a queen size bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds and another smaller bedroom with 2 single beds. 1-2 additional people may be accommodated on a double sleeper couch in the lounge.

Pecan Nut Cottage
Situated in the farm area amidst Pecan Nut Trees next to the orchard and paddock for the horses and donkeys, this self-catering cottage has 2 separate bedrooms, one with a double and one with two single beds, a bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen plus a dining room area in the passage between the rooms with table and chairs and TV (SABC, eTV). There is a little garden in the back of the cottage and garden furniture with braai facilities under the pecan nut tree in front of the cottage.

Facilities

Saltwater swimming pool, farm animals, bush walks, bird watching, secure parking. Peace and tranquility in country surroundings.

History

The original farmhouse was built in 1841 and belonged to P.A.R. (Pieter Albertus Rhyno) Otto, one of the first settlers to the valley. Otto’s Bluff Mountain is named after him. "Kwela" is the Zulu name for Otto's Bluff Mountain and means "climb on". 2 Oak Trees which have been planted by P.A.R. Otto can still be seen in the old farm garden.

"Otto's Bluff Farm" - as it is still called - was a working farm with dairy cattle, maize and wattle tree plantations and a mill. The old mill stone can still be seen in our front garden as well as the original stone work wall around the old kraal and cows' stable. Most buildings are made of red brick - the ceiling in the main house, the floor in "The Mill" and the beams in the "The Barn" are made from yellowwood. In 1936/7 the movie “King Solomon’s Mines” based on Rider Haggard’s book was shot on location at the foot of Otto’s Bluff Mountain. Rider Haggard came to this area as a learner farmer employed by P.A.R. Otto.

"Otto's Bluff Farm" has always been a private home for its residents. The previous owners (2000 to 2002) started to use some of the rooms in the main house and the “Garden Cottage" (renamed Oak Tree Cottage) on a Bed & Breakfast and self-catering basis under the name of "Otto's Bluff Guest House". When we bought the property and moved here in January 2003 we changed the name to "Kwela Lodge" and have since concentrated on improving this beautiful property for accommodation, weddings and functions.

ACCREDITATIONS (as claimed by the establishment)