Reedsdell
Country Guest Farm
Reedsdell Country Guest Farm
Set in the
picturesque Witteberg mountain range, the
south-western spur of the Drakensberg, 1100 ha of pristine mountain terrain and
crystal clear streams are home to Reedsdell Country Guest Farm. Holistic
farming practices ensure the sustainability of the fragile ecosystems, while
Eco-tourism allows this scenic environment to be shared responsibly with one
and all.
The Guest farm nestles
below the sheer cliffs of the majestic peaks of
the Drakensberg among montane grasslands where visitors can hear the gurgle
of the Joggem & Edgehill streams in which shy wild trout abide. Spotting
the Mountain Reedbuck and Vaal Rhebok is a challenge as their shining coats
blend in with the tan grasslands. Home to the Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) and
the Black Eagle, which fly wistfully on the thermals that rise above the
dominating Drakensberg peaks. The surrounding valleys and ridges offer
spectacular walks through an awe-inspiring landscape with many wildflowers and
a variety of birdlife.
Here the Drakensberg
changes mood with weather and season, often covered in snow in winter or
cascading waterfalls down vertical cliffs inviting a refreshing swim in summer.
Your
hosts, Chris & Kath, have been farming
for the last 13 years, with 10 years in the hospitality industry. The Isted
family has been farming in the district for 6 generations. Chris is an
experienced Polocrosse player and races off road motorbikes competitively.
Reedsdell
Country Guest Farm is a comfortable sandstone
farmhouse with beautiful grounds & magnificent views that invite you to
just sit and relax or take a casual stroll to experience the nature around you.
Challenging mountain terrain provides exciting activities for the more
adventurous spirits. Situated 300m from the Joggem river, it is ideally placed
for the fly fisherman, with a variety of activities for the rest of the family
to enjoy.
Four bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (main bedroom en-suite) with a lounge and dining room provide comforts for a pleasing stay. The open fireplace, solid fuel heater, electric blankets & wall-mounted heaters ward off the winter cold. Meals provided. Sleeps up to 10 persons
Bedroom 1: King with en-suite bathroom Bedroom 2: Two singles and bunk
Bedroom 3: Queen Bedroom 4: Double
A lovingly restored stone barn, Stable Cottage is the epitome of a mountain retreat. The delightful & tastefully decorated cottage is fully equipped for self-catering with a kitchen / dining room, lounge, 1 double & 1 twin bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms. The open fireplace and wall-mounted heaters add to the cosy atmosphere in winter when snow is often seen on the mountain peaks (and on the ground!) from the comfort of the lounge. The cottage is serviced and meals provided on request. Sleeps from 4-6 persons
Bedroom 1: Double Bedroom 2: Twin or King
Activities on the Farm
| Working farm - sheep & cattle |
Nature walks - guides available |
| 4x4 trails | River Fly-fishing - guide available |
| Quad-bike & Scrambler trails | Hunting |
| Greywing Shooting | |
| Mountain biking and hiking | Birding |
| Motorcycle Tours - tailor-made | Botany - up to altitudes of 2700m |
| Picnics |
Activities available in the area (by prior arrangement):
-
Snow-skiing (winter) & grass-skiing (summer).
-
Rock Art - guided excursions
-
Hiking trails
-
Botany - up to altitudes of 3001m
-
Conference facilities for up to 150 persons
-
Arts & Crafts courses
Description of Activities
Guides:
Chris has
lived his life in the area and is an experienced enduro rider & 4x4 enthusiast.
He loves the technical challenges of the mountains but caters his trails to suit
every need. Fun loving & knowledgeable, Chris makes the most of your trail
experience, taking you to the best places in the area. Interaction with the
locals is his specialty, adding value to your trail - whether it is lunch at a
local shebeen or up at Tiffindell, you experience life as we live it.
Tskholo Mojaki
has grown up on the farm with Chris. He is young, enthusiastic & extremely
knowledgeable of the area. He converses in English, Xhosa & Sesotho. His
specialty is nature & Tskholo has completed his tour-guiding course as a site
guide. His knowledge of the wildflowers, birds & animals is very broad and he
especially enjoys sharing his cultural background with you on every trip you
take together.
4x4 trails
A spectacular drive from
Telle Bridge through to Lundeans Nek on good gravel road brings you to Reedsdell.
Trails are guided by Chris, ranging from easy to very difficult. Pre-trail
assessments are done before beginning a trail.
The
Dargle Trail - "It was my slightly off-track approach to a rutted mud section,
2693m above sea level in the northern Eastern Cape, which left the pick-up in
need of jack & the 'road' in urgent need of reconstruction. "All part of the
fun", Wartrail guide Chris Isted chuckled..." Getaway magazine April 2006.
This is a challenging trail, taking approximately 5 hours and rated a difficulty
of 3 by the Getaway magazine. A maximum of 8 vehicles can participate &
it is a strictly guided trail. The scenery from the summit is breath taking &
well worth the effort to get there.
Quad-bike & scrambler trails
Bring your own
bikes for rides of a lifetime - groups & families are most welcome.
The
spectacular mountainous terrain of the Southern Drakensberg is the perfect
setting for awesome guided trails that provide fun for the whole family. Steep
mountain tracks (up to 2750m) and challenging river crossings test your
technical riding skills.
Chris is an experienced
Roof of Africa
rider who assesses your ability and tailors the trail accordingly. Trails are
guided and range from easy to difficult & technically challenging.
Fly-fishing
Fish wild trout in the
crystal clear Joggem River and Edgehill stream. Access to other rivers in the
area can be arranged. A river guide is available on request.
Birding, botany & nature walks
The Drakensberg is a
birder's paradise. Take in the lovely sight of the Lammergeier or Black Eagle,
stop to watch the Jackal Buzzard looking for prey or admire the elegance of the
Crested Crane in the sunset. Wildflowers abound after the first summer rains
--wild agapanthus put on a fantastic display as do the ericas, gladioli,
orchids and red hot pokers. These you can view within an easy walk from the
farmhouse. For the more energetic, longer walks are teeming with hidden
rewards. Take a packed picnic to enjoy at the river along your walk.
Rock Art
Tskholo
will take you to visit some of our special Rock Art on neighbouring farms in the
area. These sites have been well documented & published by the academic
authorities on Rock Art at the University of the Witwatersrand. These trips are
strictly guided and only available with the farm-owners' permission. This is a
brief visit but for a more detailed excursion, please contact our Rock Art
Specialist guide, Dawn Green.
Birding, botany & nature walks
The Drakensberg is a birder's paradise. Take in the lovely sight of the Lammergeier or Black Eagle, stop to watch the Jackal Buzzard looking for prey or admire the elegance of the Crested Crane in the sunset. Wildflowers abound after the first summer rains - wild agapanthus put on a fantastic display, as do the Erica's, gladioli, orchids and red hot pokers. These you can view within an easy walk from the farmhouse. For the more energetic, longer walks are teeming with hidden rewards - allow Tskholo to show you some of our more special fauna & flora. Take a packed picnic to enjoy at the river along your walk.
Greywing Shooting & Hunting
The North Eastern Cape Drakensberg is home to an abundance of Francolinus africanus (Greywing Francolin) and Numida meleagris (Guinea Fowl). Reedsdell offers classic hunts for the dedicated wingshooter in pristine environments in the winter months of May - July. Packages include comfortable accommodation, meals, guiding fees & bag limit. Chris has 10 years experience in guiding shoots and is well qualified in the practical aspects of Wingshooting as well as the habits of the quarry. He uses two disciplined English Pointers. Hunting is strictly selective and environment-friendly, preventing over-utilisation. The mountainous terrain provides for some exciting moments in the spirit of fair chase and wingshooters need to be fit to keep up with the pace. Min 3 guns, max 4 guns. Bring your own drinks. Partners welcome. Blesbok & Mountain Rhebuck hunting is also available.
Package: Arrive at Reedsdell Country Guest Farm on Thursday, and rest your weary traveller's feet while enjoying a drink around the open fireplace before tucking in to a hearty farm dinner. An early start on Friday with your guide and his dogs promises a mornings enjoyment out on the shoot. Rest after brunch before your afternoon excursion and return to the comforts of home for a relaxing evening with good food & conversation. Saturday provides more exciting hunting. Sunday you depart for home with your bounty.
Skiing holidays
Enjoy the convenience of skiing at Tiffindell Ski Resort (30km away) in the winter months as a day visitor. Stay at Reedsdell where you enjoy sumptuous meals and warm beds at the end of an exciting day.
Rates For 2008
RATES FOR 2008 |
SUMMER |
WINTER |
||
|
|
Adult |
U/12 yrs |
Adult |
U/12 yrs |
Reedsdell
|
||||
|
Dinner,
B&B |
R300 |
R210 |
R350 |
R298 |
|
B&B |
R210 |
R147 |
R250 |
R175 |
Stable Cottage
|
||||
|
Self-catering |
R165 |
R115 |
R200 |
R140 |
|
Dinner,
B&B |
R330 |
R231 |
R385 |
R270 |
|
B&B |
R230 |
R161 |
R270 |
R189 |
| Lunch | R40 | R28 | R40 | R28 |
Activities
|
||||
|
4x4
trails |
R
600 guide fee
|
Per day |
||
|
Motorbike trails |
R
600 guide fee |
Per day |
||
|
Flyfishing |
R 50 |
Per rod
per day |
||
|
Wingshooting |
R 3 245 |
Per gun
per package |
||
|
Guided
walks |
R
55 half day |
R110
full day |
||
|
Packed
picnics |
R
50 |
Per
person |
||
DISCOUNTS:
-
CHILDREN under 12 years - qualify for a 30% discount
-
CHILDREN under 2 years - qualify for a 100% discount
-
PENSIONERS - qualify for a 15% discount on above rates
-
GROUPS - groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount on the Reedsdell Farmhouse rate, with the organiser receiving free accommodation (1 organiser for 10-19 pax, 2 organisers for 20 plus pax)
NOTES:
1.
A 50% deposit secures your booking with the balance paid a month before
arrival - THANK YOU
2.
Cash deposit fees are for your own account - please add 1.5% of value of
deposit.
3.
Regret - credit cards are not accepted.
4.
The closest restaurant is 55km away in Barkly East. Please bring your own
food (if self-catering) & drinks.
Booking
Information & Map
Booking Information
A
50% deposit confirms your booking with the full amount paid one month in
advance.
Account details:
AK Isted, ABSA Bloemfontein, branch code 632005, Account no: 4046939514.
Please fax or email your deposit slip / receipt to 045-974 9900, isted@telkomsa.net
Terms
& conditions of booking:
1. Reedsdell reserves the right to increase the tariffs
without prior notification.
2. If a cancellation is made 6 months prior to arrival, an
amount of 5% will be withheld for administration, and the balance of the amount
already paid over will be refunded.
3. If a cancellation is made 3 months prior to arrival, 75%
of the amount paid over will be refunded.
4. If a cancellation is made 2 months prior to arrival, 50%
will be refunded.
5.
If a cancellation is made less than one month prior to reservation
date, no refund will be made.
Map & Directions
1.
From Joburg: Take The Friendly N6 from Bloemfontein to
Aliwal North.
800km
2.
From East London: Take the Friendly N6 to Aliwal North, or
travel to Barkly East via Elliot.
3.
From Durban: Travel to Barkly East via Maclear, Ugie, Elliot
or follow the Maloti Route from Harrismith to Aliwal North or Zastron.
4.
At Aliwal North,
turn off on to the R58 towards Lady Grey. Continue past Lady Grey towards
Barkly East.
5.
Approximately 48 kms from Lady Grey, turn left at the New
England turn out on to gravel road.
6.
Travel for approx. 7km. At the New England fork, keep right
and follow the Tiffindell Ski Resort signs.
7.
Travel for approx. 8.5km. At the Wartrail / Barkly East fork,
keep left towards Wartrail & Tiffindell Ski Resort.
8.
Travel for approx. 15km. At the next New England / Wartrail
T-junction, turn right towards Wartrail & Lundean's Nek.
9.
Travel for approx. 19km. At the Mosheshesford / Lundean's
Nek fork, keep left towards Lundean's Nek.
10.
Travel for approx. 2km. At the Tiffindell / Lundean's Nek
fork, keep left towards Lundean's Nek. The Wartrail Sports Club will now be on
your right.
11.
Continue for 2 kms until you reach Reedsdell Country Guest
Farm on your right.
Alternate
route from Jo'burg: Take the more scenic route - Kroonstad -
Senekal - Marquard - Clocolan - Hobhouse - Wepner - Zastron - Sterkspruit - Telle Bridge (gravel
road) - Lundeans Nek (gravel road)
700km
From Barkly East, take the R58 towards Lady Grey. Two kms outside of
town, turn right on to the gravel road towards New England / Lundean's Nek.
Travel for 10 kms until you reach the New England / Wartrail fork. Keep right
towards Wartrail.
Continue
with point 5 above.
Code of Conduct
-
Mountain environments are fragile and special care needs to be taken to ensure that they are protected, especially in adverse weather conditions when the risk of erosion is high.
-
Stay on the marked track at all times. Grassland scars easily and can take years to recover.
-
Please drive only on the roads provided, vehicles can damage the vegetation.
-
Fire can cause devastating losses. Please don't throw cigarette butts down. The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden except in the demarcated areas at the accommodation.
-
Please do not litter. There is no one to clean up after you.
-
It is illegal to pick any plant, or to disturb of kill any animal on the farm or to remove or disfigure any biological, archaeological or geological material, with the exception only of legally caught fish.
-
Before fishing on the farm, it is necessary to obtain a permit from owner.
-
Visitors taking deliberate and obvious short cuts when walking, could speed up erosion and you are asked to remain on the paths.
-
No person shall cause any noise or disturbance at any time.
-
Do not interfere with the livestock, or any of the watering points.
-
Gates are to be closed
-
The feeding of animals is prohibited.
-
Please do not pollute the streams
NOTE:
Please be advised to travel carefully and adhere to
speed limits on the gravel roads. Some warning signs of sharp curves ahead and
blind rises are non-existent so take precautions. Move over to the left of the
road when approaching on-coming traffic. If you happen to be stopped by a local
farmer and warned of any danger ahead e.g. flooded bridges etc, please heed
their advice - they have enough experience to make informed decisions!
What to Bring
STABLE COTTAGE:
Fully equipped for 4-6 people,
bring
your own food (if self-catering) & drinks, swimming towels, clothing,
sunglasses, hats, binoculars, camera, sunscreen (A MUST), a hat, warm weather
clothing and jacket, tracksuit, good walking shoes, Eco-friendly
detergent/soap. Weather can be very changeable so be prepared.
REDSDELL COUNTRY GUEST FARM:
Bring your own
drinks, swimming towels, clothing, sunglasses, hats, binoculars, camera,
sunscreen (A MUST), a hat, warm weather clothing and jacket, tracksuit, good
walking shoes. Weather can be very changeable so be prepared.
Each person to
sign an indemnity form, and the owner of the vehicle to sign both indemnity
forms. For children under 18, the
Indemnity form is to be signed by a parent or legal guardian
Indemnity Forms
INDEMNITY FORMS
Neither
the Reedsdell Country Guest Farm, any or all of the landowners concerned, nor
any person acting for, through or on behalf of the above, shall be responsible
for any death, injury or illness sustained or suffered by an person, or for any
loss or damage to any property occurring within or arising from a visit to
Reedsdell Country Guest Farm / walking / Fishing / Mountain Biking / Horse
riding / Greywing shooting / Hunting / Scrambler or Quad biking or 4X4 trails
or any other activity however caused, and whether allegedly due to the
negligence or otherwise of the members, employees, agents or helpers of
Reedsdell Country Guest Farm or arising from the use of any of the facilities
supplied or from any alleged defect in any equipment, services or conveyance
supplied or made available or from any liquid or foodstuff supplied or arising
in any other manner and from any other cause whatsoever.
NAME WITNESS DATE
ADDRESS SIGNATURE
VEHICLE OWNER
INDEMNITY
The
owner of the vehicle does not hold Reedsdell Country Guest Farm responsible for
any damages that may occur in any circumstances whatsoever where his or her
vehicle has been stored during their visit to Reedsdell Country Guest Farm, or
has to be used by the persons acting on behalf of Reedsdell Country Guest Farm
for the purpose of transporting any other visitors or their belongings.
NAME IN CAPITALS
WITNESS DATE
ADDRESS SIGNATURE
REGISTRATION
PO Box 39, Barkly East, 9786