.JPG "Exquisite Properties")
Kiepersol , Mpumalanga, South Africa
Agent: Cliff Jacobs - Managing Principal Estate Agent & CEO (Nat.Dpl.Hotel Man (UJ). M.P.R.E.)
Agent Cellphone: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951
Agent Office Number: +27 (0) 21 554 0283
Agent Email Address: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com
Type: Boutique Hotel & Guest Farm
Bedrooms: 13
Bathrooms: 13
Showers: 13
Parking: 15
Yield: Not Disclosed
TGCSA Rating:
Kiepersol
Kiepersol is a village falling under Mbombela Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga, province of South Africa.
Located close to the town of Hazyview, Kiepersol is named after the indigenous cabbage tree Cussonia paniculata, also called the Kiepersol, which grows in abundance in the lowveld, although the surrounding cultivations are mostly banana plantations. Other fruit grown nearby include mangos, avocados and macadamias. The town is close to the Phabeni Gate of the Kruger National Park.
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga is a province of South Africa. The name means "East", or literally "The Place Where the Sun Rises" in the Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu languages. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, bordering Eswatini and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area. It shares borders with the South African provinces of Limpopo to the north, Gauteng to the west, the Free State to the southwest, and KwaZulu-Natal to the south. The capital is Mbombela. Mpumalanga was formed in 1994, when the Eastern Transvaal was merged with KaNgwane. Although the contemporary borders of the province were only formed at the end of apartheid, the region and its surroundings has a history that extends back thousands of years. Much of its history, and current significance is as a region of trade.
History
Precolonial Era
Archeological sites in the Mpumalanga region indicate settlement by humans and their ancestors dating back 1.7 million years. Rock paintings, engravings and other archeological evidence throughout the province indicate that Mpumalanga has a long history of human habitation by groups of hunter gathers. Excavations not far from the Mpumalanga border in the Origstad district, show evidence of Middle Stone Age habitation dating back to 40,000 years ago. The Lion Cavern, in Ngwenya on the Eswatini border, shows evidence of people mining iron ore in the Mpumalanga region and surrounding areas from at least 28 000 years ago. Evidence from mine shafts and trade goods shows that there was notable industry in tin, copper, gold, iron, ochre, and bronze. The Lydenburg Heads, from around 500 CE, are Africa's oldest Iron Age artworks south of the equator were found in Mpumalanga. Evidence from a site near Mbombela shows evidence of agricultural societies from between the 6th to 17th century. Bokoni stone-walled sites on the Mpumalanga highveld are indicative of a large precolonial agropastoral society between ~1500 and 1820 CE. These societies became centers of trade, with increasingly large and centralised populations, a pattern that increased as they connected to the Portuguese trading post in Maputo Bay. In this era, groups that would become the Swazi, Pedi, Ndebele, Mapulana and others established themselves in the area that is now Mpumalanga.
Colonial Era
In 1845, as part of the Great Trek, the first Dutch-speaking colonial settlers arrived in what they called the eastern Transvaal. The rest of the 19th century in the region was characterised by colonial encroachment and conflict over land and political control. In 1852, the Boers established the South African Republic. The well established Pedi, Swazi and Zulu kingdoms put up significant resistance against the settlers. The Pedi fought wars with the Boers in 1876 (see Sekhukhune Wars) and the Zulu fought with British settlers in 1879 (see Anglo-Zulu War). These interconnected conflicts played a role in shifting the balance of power in southern Africa to colonial control. After 1860, missionaries, especiailly German missionaries like Alexander Merensky set up mission stations in the region, spreading Christianity and European values. Just as the region had been a center for trade in the precolonial era, in the colonial era, the Eastern Transvaal region became an important thoroughfare for trade between Johannesburg and Delagoa Bay (now Maputo). Gold mining around areas like Pilgrims Rest and Barberton and farming were the main forms of economic activity. On farms in the Transvaal, under a system known as Inboekstelsel, Boers carried out raids to capture children and forced them into indentured labour. During the South African War, the region was the site of notable battles.
Geography
The Drakensberg escarpment divides Mpumalanga into a westerly half consisting mainly of high-altitude grassland called the Highveld and an eastern half situated in low-altitude subtropical Lowveld/Bushveld, mostly savanna habitat. The southern half of the Kruger National Park is in the latter region. The Drakensberg exceeds heights of 2000 m in most places, with this central region of Mpumalanga being very mountainous. These regions have alpine grasslands and small pockets of Afromontane forest. The Lowveld is relatively flat with interspersed rocky outcrops. The Lebombo Mountains form a low range in the far east, on the border with Mozambique.
Some of the oldest rocks on earth have been found in the Barberton area; these ancient greenstones and metamorphosed granites form the Crocodile River Mountains in the southeast of the province. The Lowveld is underlaid by African Cratonic Basement rocks of ages in excess of 2 billion years. The Highveld is mostly Karoo Sequence sedimentary rock of a younger, Carboniferous to Permian age.
Mpumalanga is the only South African province to border two provinces of Mozambique (Gaza Province to the northeast and Maputo Province to the east), as well as all four regions of Eswatini (Lubombo, Hhohho, Manzini, and Shiselweni Districts).
Climate
The Lowveld is subtropical, due to its latitude and proximity to the warm Indian Ocean. The Highveld is comparatively much cooler and drier, due to its altitude of 2300 m to 1700 m above sea level. The Drakensberg escarpment receives the most precipitation, with all other areas being moderately well-watered by mostly summer thunderstorms. The Highveld often experiences severe frost, while the Lowveld is mostly frost-free. Winter rainfall is rare, except for some drizzle on the escarpment. The differences in climate are demonstrated below by comparing the capital, Mbombela, which is in the Lowveld, with Belfast, which is an hour away on the Highveld.
With climate change in the province, rainfall is becoming more variable, temperatures and evaporation rates are rising and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. It is predicted that these changes will shift biomes so that most of the province will be savanna.
Ecology
Some of the earliest signs of life in the world were found in Mpumalanga. In the Makhonjwa mountain range's greenstone belt near Barberton, a fossil layer shows microbial activity that is 3.22 billion years old. This discovery indicated that life emerged on earth 300 million years earlier than previously thought.
Mpumalanga has a high plant and animal diversity. Many species are endemic to the province.
About us
The Estate consists of a productive farm with a 5-star boutique hotel development
Great care has been taken to create unique inspiring luxury accommodation, each room decorated in its individual theme and style, providing an exclusive standard, comparable with some of the top hotels world-wide.
Our Lodge reveals the timelessness of a bygone era combined with luxury, elegance and breathtaking surroundings. The ochre-washed lodge, renowned internationally for exceptional service, includes the presidential suite, 8 romantic suites and 4 duplex suites in a shaded, cobbled courtyard. 2 Manor Houses, each offering 2 en suite bedrooms, study, lounge/dining room and kitchen, lie between the lakes and the forest.
Sheer elegance, charm and style are the hallmarks of our Lodge set against a backdrop of spectacular natural splendour in the heart of Mpumalanga. Surrounded by 200 hectares of indigenous bush, forestry and farmland between Sabie and Hazyview, this retreat with its individually themed rooms embodies the “Out of Africa” fantasy. And for those in the know this 5-star lodge has its award winning gourmet cuisine, service excellence, and famed hospitality down to a fine art. It oozes romance and is the ultimate romantic setting with its beautiful stone chapel and intimate reception area for a fairytale wedding.
Guests are spoilt for choice and can unwind in luxury in the Manor Houses, Victorian Suites, the Ballentine Suite or Quadrant Portfolio set among lush forest and a tree lined lake. Play croquet, go hiking, enjoy fishing or go bird watching in this pristine wonderland. For more adventurous spirits, a bouquet of options including helicopter excursions, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, river rafting, horse riding and safaris are available nearby. So whether it’s a perfect wedding feast, honeymoon paradise, conference to impress clients or luxurious holiday you’re after, our Lodge is the choice of connoisseurs, and rightly so.
All the beds are king-sized, extra length. Except for Victorian Suite number 8, which has two three-quarter beds. All suites have been individually decorated. The furniture, except antiques, was custom-made for the Lodge, making our décor unique in South Africa.
The Lodge is set on two hundred hectares of indigenous bush, forestry and farmland. The dam, which has a surface area of five hectares, is stocked with Black Bass. The farming activity, which utililizes thirty five percent of the land, including four thousand avocado trees, two hundred and seventy litchi trees and fifty macadamia trees and one hundred coffee bean trees.
History
Over a hundred years ago, brave pioneering men with wagons laden with merchandise, travesed the untamed territory between Sabie and the shoreline of Delagoa Bay. Their progress over the ridged spine of the Drakensberg mountain range was slow and hazardous, and they were plagued by the ravages of malaria.
But they were handsomely rewarded as they witnessed the expansive beauty of untouched horizons, animals roaming freely as nature decreed, camping under vast heavens studded with a million jewel-like stars, whilst the earth jealously revealed her treasures of gold and diamonds. Men and women of strong spirit flocked in search of instant riches, and it was a time when legends were made. This territory was never created for the faint-hearted, and it has taken the same resolve and passion to create a haven of beauty and excellence such as our Lodge.
Deep pillared verandas, a romantic mix of old and new hints at a bygone era with the sensitive blend of timelessness and present comfort. A weekly pilgrimage to the Reef ensures only the best ingredients combined with the homegrown Blue Mountain herbs and vegetables essential to the innovative and modern cuisine. Our Lodge has firmly embraced the tradition of the area in a short time has become a Legend itself.
Culinary Experience
Restaurant
Winner of the AA Most Fabulous Food Award in 2007, our restaurant promises an extraordinary culinary experience. Every effort is made to match the beauty of the surrounding Mpumalanga countryside with friendly and superb service.
Nestled inside a lovely manor house complimented by views of litchi plantations, the Lodge enjoys easy on the palate dishes layered with tasteful and exciting combinations.
The menu boasts Continental classics for breakfast, lunch or dinner paired with an impressive wine list and stocked cellar.
Try spiced prawn kebabs served on green asparagus with a cocktail tomato emulsion, or brinjal and halloumi cheese wrapped in spring-roll pastry. Try a guava sorbet before indulging in the gourmet selection of mains.
Our dynamic team of chefs are responsible for the exquisite cuisine which is essentially “moderne” with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. We take full advantage of the fresh produce in season, combined with our home-grown herbs, vegetables and the farm’s 4000 avocado, 600 litchi and 300 coffee trees.
Only fresh fish is served. Ostrich, guinea-fowl and venison are but a few of the items on the menu. Our pastas and breads are all freshly made on a daily basis. Additionally, guests can enjoy hot, freshly baked muffins on their early morning tea trays. As with all aspects of the Lodge, the intention is to entertain our guests with our cuisine.+
Perfection is achieved for the palate and the eye by combining opposing textures and tastes arranged in a pleasing composition. A five-course “table d’ote” menu is served, varying daily. Special care is taken to ensure that all menus cater for the needs of our guests.
Dinner is served in the dining room with its starched white tablecloths and napkins, silverware and crystal.
After dinner, guests are invited to adjourn to the lounge where they can read or relax by the log fire.
Guests set their own pace of breakfast, which is served until noon, sundowners on the veranda and dinner in a fine dining restaurant. A weekly pilgrimage to the Reef ensures only the best ingredients combined with the homegrown herbs and vegetables essential to the innovative and “modern” cuisine.
Our menu is done in a African/French style. The walk-in cellar has more than 2.000 bottles that offers the guest to choose wine directly off the shelf.
Your Dream Wedding
Our Lodge is situated between Sabie and Hazyview in Mpumalanga’s most fertile and picturesque countryside and located on a beautiful avocado farm. This luxury five star Lodge is the ultimate romantic setting for a wedding venue – the beautiful stone chapel and intimate reception setting is sure to exceed any bridal couple’s expectations.
Heartfelt African romance is the order of the day when it comes to Mpumalanga as a wedding destination. From the Panorama Route to the famous Kruger National Park, from the quiet fishing town of Dullstroom to the country sophistication of White River and Sabie, unspoilt natural beauty abounds in Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga means ‘place where the sun rises’, a lucky portent for a couple getting married in this dramatically beautiful province.
The Lodge is one of the best wedding venues in Mpumalanga to choose from, which combine modern amenities with the wildest of settings – that border the Kruger National Park.
You can choose a sunset ceremony next to a waterhole or a spot with endless views of the Lowveld. The combination of exceptional service, luxury accommodation and the African bushveld in all its glory, will make an unforgettable impression on you and your guests.
Activities
The Lodge is found in Kiepersol, Mpumalanga in the heart of the Panorama route. Mpumalanga is one of the most scenic areas of South Africa. Our Lodge is in close proximity to the Kruger National Park, Private Game Lodges, Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, affording our guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding area without having to travel great distances.
There are many ways to explore the province but none offer as much excitement as going on an adventure in nature.
The Lodge is set on two hundred hectares (500 acres) of indigenous bush, forestry and farmland. Guests can enjoy walking and hiking trails, bird watching (the contrasting vegetation attracts a myriad of bird life), botanical interests and fishing. The large fjord-like dam with a surface area of 5 hectares is stocked with bass. The 20 metre long swimming pool is located near the main complex and invites days of lounging in the glorious African sun.
Beautiful walking routes are available on the two hundred hectares of indigenous bush, forestry and farmland but further walking trails are found within short driving distances along the Panorama Route.
Chauffeur or Self-Drive in air-conditioned mini bus vehicles, on panoramic sightseeing trips or excursions into the Kruger National Park or private game lodges. Enjoy day or night viewing safaris in an open vehicle with a highly trained game ranger.
Cliff Jacobs (Nat Dpl Hotel Man (UJ). MPRE. GA Level 5 TEFL) Managing Principal / CEO Exquisite Hotel Consultants (Pty) Ltd Mobile: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951 Landline: +27 (0) 21 554 0283 Email: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com Web: https://www.exquisitehotelconsultants.com C/o Sybelstrasse 69 10629 Berlin GERMANY Terms and Conditions apply Scroll down to view our Hospitality Properties and Businesses for sale or lease or lease-to-buy or partnership arrangement or management agreement arrangement:
