Eland’s Valley Guest Farm is approximately 14km before Dullstroom off the Belfast road.  It is a cosy and luxurious country retreat set in a tranquil thousand acre estate. The quaint stone cottages offer self catering facilities to guests escaping city life and discovering the charm of the Mpumalanga Highlands. The farm takes its name from the Afrikaans “Elandskloof” (as the farm is historically known), given that it’s been the traditional breeding ground for the local Eland population for many generations.  This page is best viewed on a laptop or tablet due to the amount of photos displayed. 

Stone Cottage

(sleeps 8 en-suite plus 2 on loft balcony sofa-beds) 

3 king size bedrooms en suite, 1 twin bed room (can be converted to 2 sets bunk beds ie 4 sleeper on request), additional separate bathroom, large sitting room with fireplace, 8 seater dining room table (with option to convert to 12 seater on request), large kitchen with Aga anthracite stove, loft room with 2 single sofa beds, covered veranda.

4 Bedrooms and 2 sleeper couches. 3 x romantic en-suite Queen sized bedrooms. Bathrooms with ball and claw baths, cotton towels and luxurious extras. Rooms carpeted, hairdryers, fans, oil heaters, electric blankets.  2 rooms have TV’s with Dstv (hotel bouquet), 1 twin bedroom with communal bathroom (plus children’s loft).

3 options available in the “kids room” downstairs in Stone Lodge:

• twins (most popular).
• 2 sets of bunks to sleep 4 children.
• double bed.

Please advise of configuration required prior to arrival. A home entertainment centre with TV, video etc is available in the loft balcony. There is also a selection of videos available at no extra charge. Living Area: The high-ceiling sitting room has a gallery of original bird paintings by a well-known artist, mini-bar area and beautiful stone fireplace. It opens out onto the dining area (table can be extended for larger parties). The country kitchen, complete with AGA stove (fully operational and carefully tended by staff), is well equipped with 4-plate gas hob and oven, kitchen table and chairs and many thoughtful extras. Pantry contains fridge, freezer, microwave oven and selection of small appliances. Full laundry facilities available.

PLEASE NOTE: Servicing on Sundays offered only when arranged in person with staff. A fee of R 200.00 cash to be paid directly to staff.

Flufftail

(sleeps 2 adults plus 2 children in loft room) .

This cottage has a king size 4-poster bedroom en suite with large fireplace and sitting area, large covered balcony leading from the bedroom, small loft room for children with circular staircase and balcony on East side of main bedroom, entrance hall leading to large kitchen downstairs with additional separate entrance.

‘The Flufftail’ is named after one of Dullstroom’s most elusive birds.  It is a charming stone cottage set against a hill.  It has an elevated position with magnificent views over the trout dams and valley. It has a magnificent fireplace and is serviced daily.  The very spacious bedroom has a King size bed with pure cotton bedding together with antique wardrobe. The bedroom opens onto a large terrace with cast aluminium furniture and Jet master braai.  The view of the valley with its surrounding hills is uninterrupted.  A kiddies loft bedroom to the side of the bedroom is accessed by a spiral staircase.  It has two single beds and a cot.  There is a good selection of children’s videos and books.

There is an additional bar in the Flufftail loft balcony (which already has a gate) for improved safety. The romantic old fashioned bathroom has a Victorian slipper bath.  There are “his and her” bathrobes and luxury shampoo and soaps provided.  TV with private Dstv (hotel bouquet), Dvd and video.

At ground level there is a fully fitted and equipped kitchen / dining room.  The kitchen has a four plate electric hob with built-in under counter oven. There is an under counter fridge and separate freezer.  The dining area seats four comfortably.  The view also looks out onto the dams and valley. Please note that the kitchen area is separate from the bedroom area. The lodge is serviced daily by our uniformed staff and there are laundry facilities if required.

PLEASE NOTE: Servicing on Sundays offered only when arranged in person with staff. A fee of R 200.00 cash to be paid directly to staff.

Featherbrook

(sleeps 6)

Featuring a king size bedroom with en suite shower room and sitting area, loft room with double bed and 2 single beds and a separate bathroom with large oval bath. It offers a large sitting room with fireplace, large 8 seater kitchen with coal stove and a covered kitchen stoep with braai facilities. Outdoors, the cottage offers a private garden with pond. The entrance hall and bar area with fireplace lead onto a covered wooden veranda. There is a Weber braai available. Can accommodate 2 couples or small family 2 Adults and 3/4 children).

It is a double storey stone cottage separated from the main house by winding cobbled paths and rose gardens.1 Kingsize bedroom with en suite shower room and sitting area. 1 loft bedroom with 1 double bed and 2 single beds. There is also a toddler gate in the loft for additional safety. Additional bathroom, his & hers basins with oval bath looking onto private views of rolling hills. Separate loo.

PLEASE NOTE: Servicing on Sundays offered only when arranged in person with staff. A fee of R 200.00 cash to be paid directly to staff.

Strawberry Fields

This romantic cottage sleeps 2 plus 1 child. It has a double bedroom with en suite bathroom, separate shower room, small study, sitting room with fireplace, small kitchen with coal stove, large traditional farm stoep with 8 seater table, private garden with vegetables in season. The daily rate at Strawberry Fields is lower than in the other cottages, as the rooms are smaller and in general more rustic. Once upon a time, this was the old cow shed. Now, Strawberry Fields is a cozy and comfy stone cottage in a secluded location on the homestead.

Bedrooms:
1 x Queen size bed/ heater & electric blanket. – leads off patio (1 small shower room with loo and basin en suite)
1 x Single bedroom leads off patio (1 small bathroom with shower head option in bath, loo and basin.)

Living Area:
Cozy living area with a television with DSTV (hotel bouquet), CD player, carpets in sitting room with dining table and open fireplace.

Kitchen:
Electric and coal stoves and bar fridge. Microwave.

Special Features:
A typical farm stoep with comfy “farm” furniture including large table and chairs, Weber. Overlooks vegetable garden.

Own fenced garden:
Pretty view over fields and few dams in the distance.

Very private. Appealing extras include a coal stove in the kitchen, an open fireplace in the sitting room, and small study/spare room.

PLEASE NOTE: Servicing on Sundays offered only when arranged in person with staff. A fee of R 200.00 cash to be paid directly to staff.

Gallery – Farm General

Activities & Extras available on the farm.
Fly-fishing in 7 spring-fed dams (Trout & Bass), for beginners and advanced. Small boat available. Fishing rods available.

2 fish per rod per day, can be kept. After that it is catch and release.
Birding paradise with over 200 species (including. Dullstroom rarities) and over 800 head of antelope (including. Eland). Special features include new floodlit tennis court, basketball net and football goal posts. Plunge pool, sundeck and sauna with a view, children’s treehouse stocked with toys and books and outside play area with jungle gym. Horse stabling available on request. Magnificent 24 seater refectory table in barn-style setting with separate kitchen (all table appointments included) for special occasions.

Horse riding available on neighbouring farm Elandskloof. Unlimited firewood, units fully serviced by uniformed staff. Built in braai facilities & potjie pots: Size 2, 3, 4 and 6 available

Road access
Located approximately 15km from town (with 8km of gravel). 4×2 & 4×4 Recommended. Normal high rise vehicles might take longer to reach the venue. NO low vehicles.

Accommodation
All the cottages are exquisitely decorated with antique furniture and plush fabrics to ensure a stylish yet cosy atmosphere with a Highland touch. The cottages ensure every comfort and luxury in “Olde World” style. The accommodation is private, with picturesque valley views and surrounded by formal rose and herb gardens, vineyards and trout dams.
The cottages are approximately 200 – 400m from one another, suitable for large parties wanting to book all three units.

Accommodation Details:
All the Units can accommodate 9 couples on suite.

FISHING

INVERLOCHY
Situated below Koi Burn, and something of a shorter walk than the above two dams, this small piece of water has produced fish of over 2.25kg. This is the result of good cover on both banks which is a veritable insect food fest. The inlet area is productive with a lot of rises in the early and late hours, and should be reachable for those with a reasonable cast. Fishing a metre or so from either bank with wet flies all year round can also be productive. The most productive dry flies on this water are the DDD and White Death in the warmer months, while wet flies like Walkers Killer and Woolly Buggers have worked well all year round.

BASS TARN
The dam is set on the hill overlooking the entire valley. Black bass offer a good fight on fly – use large wet flies such as Walker’s Killer, Woolly Bugger, Mrs Simpson and Hammil’s Killer and have some fun!
Pound for pound, bass provide an excellent fight, while bass from clean water like Bass Tarn make for excellent eating! Enjoy – grilled, fried, on the braai or smoked!

KOI BURN
Another lightly fished medium sized pieced water with some depth, and as the name suggests, contains Koi. Likely fishing spots include along both banks, the inlet and the dam wall, while the centre channel should produce results with deeply fished flies. All of these are reachable from the wall. Year round, sinking flies like the Walkers Killer and Woolly Buggers are productive.
Dry flies are well worth trying when hatches are taking place.

LINLITHGOW
A very popular dam given its easy access, Linlithgow is best fished from the wall and along the banks in deeper water. Prolific insect life ensures good growth, and this water is very well suited to float-tubing to reach those hard-to-get-to hot spots. As appealing as it is, the jetty is a bit too shallow to provide productive fishing. The best fishing is to be had in deeper water off the wall into the channel and on the far side bank – although this can be challenging from the shore.

POACHER’S DAM
Poacher’s Dam, the dam closest to the bottom gate, is another large piece of water well suited to float tube enthusiasts. A popular and well fished piece of water, Poacher’s Dam has produced some sizable fish. An attractive jetty and picnic spot on the road side make a comfortable base from which to fish the more likely spots along the wall and the far bank. In the dusk and dawn of the warmer months, the DDD and other dry flies are productive wherever you see surface feeding, while wet flies can be relied upon all year round – fished in the deeper waters of the wall and far bank.

TROUTMASTER
The top dam, which provides great views of the farm and likely encounters with game. Trout Master is well worth the 15 minute walk to take on this lightly fished but very productive piece of water.
A road up to the dam is accessible by 4 wheel drive vehicles (or high-clearance 2 wheel drive vehicles in the dry months). Dry flies work well during rises, and the banks and inlet are active. Good results have been off the wall with sinking flies in the channel on the right hand side. A sink tip or slow sinking line is suited to this water. In the warmer months, dry flies like the DDD are useful during evening rises, while wet flies like the Aggravator, Black Nymph and the Olive Woolly Bugger are effective. In the cooler months, wet flies such as the Hammil’s Killer and Walker’s Killer should prove productive. Please note that this is a “catch and release only” water, unless fish are damaged.

TWITCHER’S POND
The small water in front of Flufftail Cottage, Twitcher’s Pond is well stocked and is a great piece of water to learn to fly-fish on. Casting is easy from the wall, and the water is small enough to cover thoroughly even with a short cast.
Dry fly enthusiasts will enjoy success with the DDD in Autumn, while in the warmer months the Egg Fly, White Death and Adams are productive.
Because the dam is quite shallow, it is best to fish deeper in the warmer months with the Hammil’s Killer, Walkers Killer, Woolly Buggers of all colours, Mrs Simpson and the Black Nymph.

LEISURE

POOL DECK
Enjoy a sundowner at the pool deck.
Also great for… breakfast… a lazy lunch… afternoon tea… early evening braai.

PLUNGE POOL
A bubbly plunge pool with a spectacular view over the valley.

SAUNA
Relax and unwind in the sauna overlooking the pool and gardens.
A complimentary selection of aromatherapy oils is available, as are fluffy dressing gowns and towels.

TENNIS COURT
A Championship Court with:
floodlights
practice wall
basketball net
football goals
(white-soled shoes only)

THE GARDENS
Appreciate the days of old by strolling through the pretty formal gardens, which include a vineyard, an orchard, an abundance of roses and a herb garden. The garden has attracted many exquisite birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird and Red-throated Wryneck.

FAUNA AND FLORA
This unspoiled nature lovers’ paradise is home to over 200 bird species. More than 800 head of antelope (10 different species, including Eland, Springbok & Oribi) may also be viewed. Enjoy beautiful walks in pristine grasslands with hundreds of species of flora, including the rare ground orchids. Ask your booking agent for bird and mammal lists for the area.

Interesting birds include: Crowned, Wattled & Blue Crane, White-bellied & Blue Korhaan, Buff-streaked Chat, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Olive & Ground Woodpecker, Red-Chested Flufftail, Grass Owl, Stanley’s Bustard, Bald Ibis, Pallid Harrier, Black Eagle and Osprey.

WALKING TRAILS AND BIKES
Guests are welcome to walk the 1000 acre reserve, or for the more energetic, bring your mountain bike. You are sure to appreciate the beautiful wild flowers and the abundance of highveld antelope.

REFECTORY ENTERTAINING
This barn-style dining area, with a separate equipped kitchen, seats 24 at a magnificent sleeper wood table. A perfect opportunity to celebrate a special occasion or indulge in a spit braai, which is available on request.

A separate serving room contains china, glassware and other attractive table appointments.
The refectory also has its own music system.

FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN & BABIES
There is plenty of fun and adventure for children at Eland’s Valley.
A splendid little tree house is found in a large Blue Gum – equipped with a kiddies table, chairs and a selection of toys and books. The trampoline, jungle–gym and sand pit are sure to occupy the children for hours. A good selection of DVDs, videos, books, scooters, toys, pool toys and accessories. For babies:
 Crib and cot with cotton sheets, duvets, pillow, baby bath and mat, high chair and pram, bottle drying rack and cleaning materials. Baby sitting is available on request.

FUNCTION FACILITY – THE REFECTORY
This barn-style dining area, with a separate equipped kitchen, seats 24 at a magnificent sleeper wood table. A perfect opportunity to celebrate a special occasion or indulge in a spit braai (available on request). A separate serving room contains china, cutlery, glassware and other attractive table appointments. The refectory also has its own music system. Catering for large groups is available.

PLEASE NOTE that staff are off duty every Sunday for religious reasons, and as such there is no Sunday service nor do we offer Sunday check-ins. Thank you for your understanding. For your own comfort and well-being, guests are advised to pack warm clothing and shoes. Dullstroom-Emnotweni, has a sub-alpine climate and weather changes sharply and unpredictably, even in mid-summer. Please bring a waterproof jacket, jersey, warm closed shoes/boots, gum boots, scarves, hats and gloves. Guests are kindly asked to consider that Dullstroom-Emnotweni, although upmarket, is a small town in a rural area. As such we sometimes have to deal with inconveniences one may not be used to in the city. We trust that as lovers of the country life, you will make allowances. Please be assured that every effort will be made to ensure your comfort and safety during your stay with us. Eland’s Valley accepts no liability or responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or claims of any nature. All facilities are used by guests entirely at their own risk.