Mvemve GrootPoort Lodge is an expanded and refurbished farmhouse on a 540 hectare working farm in the northeastern Drakensberg, on the border of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. The lodge sits at 1,825 metres, nestled amongst gum, pine and oak trees in a valley where the mighty Klip River is still but a small winding stream, with the patio and yard opening towards pastures and a dramatic ridge line.

Spacious and comfortable private bedrooms come with private or shared bathrooms, 100% cotton sheets and towels, and feather or microfibre duvets and pillows (your choice). Three delicious home-style meals are prepared and served each day, plus tea and goodies in the afternoon, and guests share a large living room, dining room and a recreation room opening to the patio and garden. All rooms include breakfast, and full board is recommended: this is a genuinely remote farm with no eating establishments within 35 km and no self-catering option.

Birdwatch, hike, bring your mountain bikes, take a dip in the secluded spring-fed pond, explore the vegetable gardens, orchard and petrified wood 'forests', walk the labyrinth under the oaks, stargaze, fossil-hunt, read, nap, or do absolutely nothing. There are walking and hiking trails across the farm with access to neighbouring farms, and Normandien Pass, The Ark escarpment and Ncandu Nature Reserve are close by.

Please note: the farm is remote by design. There is no mobile signal and no guest wifi (a house telephone is available for arrival and departure calls), the roads in are untarred (a 4x4 or high-clearance sedan is recommended), and as a working farm it is not suited to children under 8. The lodge is roughly halfway between Harrismith and Newcastle, 45 minutes from Memel.