Waterberg lodge to go under hammer
Over 400 bird species in lodge area Trails, water and wildlife in this malaria-free area near Pretoria
MOOKGOPHONG, the town near Ubumanzi Lodge which is on auction next month, is a regional hub in the Waterberg surrounded by nature reserves, hot springs resorts and one of South Africa’s top bird-watching wetlands.
Under its original name of Naboomspruit, Mookgophong dates back to the late 1800s when it was a rest station for the Pretoria-pietersburg mail coach.
Although the little village eventually developed around the railway station on the farm Naboomspruit, Mookgophong owes its growth largely to the discovery of minerals in the area.
There was a “tin rush” in 1910 that briefly turned the village into a boomtown, and the discovery of platinum later added to its expansion.
In 2006, the local government changed the town’s name to Mookgophong, the Tswana word for the euphorbia trees that form a major feature of the landscape in the area. Naboom is the Afrikaans name for the euphorbia.
Today, Mookgophong’s mild bushveld climate attracts holidaymakers all year round. For birding enthusiasts, the proximity of the popular Nylsvley bird sanctuary just 22km away has made the town a twitchers’ paradise.
It is in the upper reaches of the Nyl River and includes part of the largest floodplain vlei in South Africa. During rainy seasons it attracts up to 80000 birds.
The number of bird species recorded on the floodplain is 412, almost half the number in South Africa. UBUMANZI Game Lodge in the malaria-free Waterberg will be auctioned on site by Bidders Choice on March 23 at 11am.
The lodge near Mookgophong (Naboomspruit) received a Sanlam Top Destination category award in 2016 and was a finalist for the same award in 2017.
Pieter Geldenhuys, chief executive of Bidders Choice, says: “This game lodge is a great investment opportunity, especially for those in the hospitality industry. Just two hours’ drive from Pretoria, the lodge has five earth dams and reservoir and water rights for irrigation. Apart from its status as a game lodge, it also has tremendous agricultural potential. The name Ubumanzi means ’wetness’, which aptly describes the abundance of water on the farm.”
The 1300 ha property features a lodge with eight luxurious bedrooms (all en-suite), a swimming pool, conference facilities and a wedding chapel. The main house has five bedrooms, an office, flatlet, shed and outbuildings, including workers’ accommodation.
There is wide variety of game at Ubumanzi. Guests can also enjoy game drives, hiking, bush walks, bird watching, mountain biking and fishing. All the wildlife, game-viewing vehicles and other moveable assets will be included in the sale of the lodge, to be sold as a going concern.
An MTN cellphone tower provides a strong signal for internet connection. Viewing is by appointment only.
See www.bidderschoice.co.za or call Pieter Geldenhuys on 082 808 1801. – Auctions Writer