Karkloof Accommodation / Westwood Lodge Natal Midlands Accommodation / Self Catering Accommodation in Karkloof

This historic homestead, incorporating an 1840 Settler’s cottage, has recently been restored and its three interconnected dams re-stocked with Rainbow trout. The three large trout dams in magnificent scenery offer superb fly-fishing, with spectacular views.

Situated in an environmentally sensitive conservation area, above the Karkloof in the lush Natal Midlands, Westwood Lodge is a perfect spot for trout fishing, mountain biking, bird watching, bicycling and hiking. For small corporates it is an outstanding venue for team building or recreation. School parties are welcome.

Self Catering Accommodation

Bedrooms
Five double bedrooms with wall heaters; furnished with queen sized beds (three with en suite shower bathrooms); linen and towels are provided. Two of the bedrooms have an extra single bed. There is one separate full bathroom with shower, bath, loo, etc.

Kitchen
A farm house kitchen with an eye-level oven, gas hob, microwave oven, fridge, deep-freeze and tumble dryer. An abundance of culinary equipment is supplied as is crockery, cutlery and glasses for 12 people.

Sitting Room
Generously furnished, and equipped with DSTV television, DVD player and wood burning Jetmaster fireplace. The room has views over the dams and leads onto the substantial Natal style verandah.

Dining Room
Elegantly furnished with country antiques, this room seats twelve at an Oregon pine dining room table.

Gym
At the rear of the lodge is a small, basically equipped gym for the fit at heart.

Location

Some 40 kilometers north of Howick, Westwood Lodge is equidistant to both Mooi River in the west and Greytown to the east.

Activities and Attractions

Fishing
Within a conservation area and surrounded by 30 hectares of private land, Westwood guarantees secluded trout fishing. Currently, the three dams are stocked with Rainbows. Catch and release fly-fishing only, using barbless hooks, is encouraged. There is no rod fee for guests staying at the lodge. Day fishing is permitted when the lodge is not occupied. As only six fishermen per day are allowed, early booking is essential.

Bicycling
Westwood is located in prime mountain biking country. The nearby Karkloof valley is home to the Karkloof Classic every May and is regularly voted as having the best single forest track in South Africa.

Bicycling is available from the front door in every direction and includes are all within easy open farm land, drop-offs over the escarpment, purist forest riding (the estate borders several hundred hectares of Mondi / Sappi forest with open rider admission ) and is also close enough to link to roughly 50km of groomed single track in the Karkloof Valley.

Bird watching
An abundance of bird species are found in the area, including the endangered Wattled Crane. The conservation area is home to two Wattle breeding sites. The Karkloof conservation centre is not far from Westwood.

Outside activities

The Karkloof Hiking Trail; the Karkloof Canopy Tour and the Karkloof Nature Reserve are all close to Westwood Lodge.

ACCREDITATIONS (as claimed by the establishment)