TOLDERIA RESORT
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Tolderia is a spic-and-span resort with dams, pans and manicured gardens, near the farming area of Lothair. It’s a popular spot for family gatherings, business events and even festivals – the annual Mieliepop Music Festival is hosted here in March.
Owner André van Rooyen is an engineer by profession, and this is evident in the design of the resort: There are waterfalls and wooden bridges linking the various areas, and the Dam House – a secluded twobedroom unit – is built against a rock that has been left exposed inside the living room, with an indoor garden that grows two storeys high! The Dam House has a private, heated pool and an entertainment “cave” for outdoor cooking and parties. With two extra showers and toilets in the cave, a maximum of 12 guests can stay overnight by pitching tents in the garden.
There are also four luxury chalets: Each sleeps up to eight and each has its own heated pool and a kitchen kitted with everything you could want, including a tumble dryer and dishwasher.
André and his wife Mariaan are planning on adding more chalets, as well as a luxury campsite with 10 stands sheltered under old pin oaks. They welcome pets of all descriptions at the resort – someone once brought a pet tortoise. Bass fishing is popular, and animals like duiker, springbok, zebra, eland and ostriches roam the open areas. If you’re lucky, the resident otters will also make an appearance.
Facilities: Quadbikes, boats and water sports are allowed, and there are canoes available at the resort. Cycling and walking trails wind through the plantations; you can also go on a game drive. Hire the motorised float for R700 a day (including petrol) and have a party!
Rates: Dam House from R900 per night during the week; R1 400 over weekends. Chalets from R2 400 per night for six to eight people.
Where? About 32 km south-east of Chrissiesmeer, towards Lothair.
Contact: 082 925 7251; tolderiaresort.co.za
IN OTHER WORDS
Lungile Lusenga
Tourism monitor
“The Natural Erosion Bridge at Goedehoop isn’t the only fascinating rock in the area. Goliath’s Footprint in Mpuluzi, on the way to eSwatini, is a 1,8-metre impression of a ‘left footprint’ in granite rock. Some people believe it’s the footprint of God or Adam; others say it belongs to e’Mpuluzi, a giantess in traditional folklore. “Towards eManzana (Badplaas) you’ll find a cave named Ti’Qwa, a San word describing the relationship between people and God. There are rock paintings in the cave that are thousands of years old.”
Ask Lungile to show you these sites (R350 per person; own vehicle). Call her on 076 041 5374
EAT HERE
The Billiard Room
This family-friendly restaurant and bar in Chrissiesmeer was originally the Anglo-Boer War recreation hall, built in 1901. The colossal billiard table the soldiers used is not there any more, but you can still see the sandstone blocks the legs rested on. Hearty soups, pastas and pizzas are on offer. Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm; until 3 pm on Sundays; closed on Mondays.
Contact: 084 856 8418
DRINK HERE
The Gin Shop
Pop into the old gin depot from 1886, next to The Billiard Room, for a hand-crafted tipple. There are more than 50 gins in stock, as well as owner Marian Bezuidenhout’s own brand, Highveld Gin (pictured). Opening times: 11 am to 10 pm most days; until 5 pm on Sunday. Contact: 082 888 0262