Birches Cottage

Accommodation, uKhahlamba, Drakensberg World Heritage Park, Umzimkulu River, Underberg, Drakensberg, self catering

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CONTACT DETAILS Central Reservations Office Tel: 0861 276 237 Int. Tel: +27 51 924 0585 Fax: 086 684 1011

Accommodation, uKhahlamba, Drakensberg World Heritage Park, Umzimkulu River, Underberg, Drakensberg, self catering

In a quiet corner of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Park, with the cascading Umzimkulu river bounding one side and blue mountain sky the other, lies Birches Cottage. This luxury Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering establishment, consisting of a luxury suite for three persons and a bed-sitter sleeping two persons, offers complete privacy in a delightful country setting. Meandering footpaths connect the corners of the surrounding six hectare estate and provide access to spectacular trout pools and cascades. Wild geese, guinea fowl and peacocks roam about and the grassy hillsides shelter buff-streaked chats, pin-tailed whydas, waxbills and buntings. Patience and a cautious approach often reveal otters, rhebuck and caracal.

Birches cottage is situated five kilometres from Underberg and is close to amenities: scenic routes for 4x4; mountain bike and off-road bikes; spectacular mountain surroundings; three golf courses; trout fishing; hiking; canoeing; tubing; winter ice climbing; swimming and bird-watching.

Underberg has a variety of restaurants, sports facilities and associations. Several historical mission stations can be visited and the surrounding countryside provides an interesting perspective on Zulu culture and the history of rock art.

Accommodation
Birches Cottage will make your country visit truly memorable. It is a luxury suite with a cosy lounge / open plan kitchen in which all the requirements for the competent chef is provided. A cosy fire warms the chilly winter evenings. The spacious bedroom offers an extra-length king size bed dressed in embroidered percale linen and a double heated blanket is installed for the winter evenings. The cottage is decorated with original water colours and collectable hand-coloured photographs. His and her basins, a shower and bath are features of the spacious heated bathroom. The fridge has a mini bar and essential snacks are provided. A DStv decoder offering the SABC, e-TV, and an audio bouquet is installed and longer term visitors are encouraged to bring their own DStv Smart Card to obtain the full bouquet. Smoking is not allowed in the cottage.

Willows Cottage is a luxury bed-sitter perfectly suited for the overnight visitor. The two single, adjoining beds are dressed in luxurious percale linen and ambient lighting infuses the cottage with a feeling of warmth and comfort. Under floor heating is provided throughout and an antique electric fire ensures a cosy ambience. The interior is decorated with original black and white photographs of the region. A butler's tray provides coffee, tea, and light refreshments. The fridge contains cold drinks, snacks and a mini bat while the heated bathroom has a bath, a shower and a vanity. The Willows has a DStv decoder offering SABC and e-TV and an audio bouquet. Smoking is not allowed in the cottage.

Guests are encouraged to use the decks overlooking the spectacular Umzimkulu gorge and the estate's other facilities including mountain biking, hiking, tubing, bird-watching, trout fishing in our renowned rainbow gorge, French boulles and swimming in the crystal pools.

Accommodation in the Birches and the Willows

Perfectly suited for the longer term visitor, Birches B&B and/or self catering is a luxury suite, offering accommodation for two adults and one child with an extra-length king size bed and a queen-sized sleeper couch. The kitchenette which contains a fridge, four plate hob with overhead extractor, microwave, toaster and kettle, has been designed for the traveler who wants to combine B&B with self-catering. The cottage consists of the kitchen/lounge and dining area, a spacious bedroom and a bathroom with a bath, shower and his/hers basins. Appointments are luxurious and designed to meet the requirements of the most discerning traveler. A cozy gas fire, panel heaters and electric blankets are provided to counter the chilly Underberg winter nights. The beds are dressed in percale linen and the embroidered duvets are filled with duck down. Floors are covered in sumptuous thick-pile carpets while the cottage walls are adorned with collector’s hand-coloured photographs and original paintings.

 

ATTRACTIONS - THINGS TO DO

Special two and three-day packages are arranged for visitors to Birches and Willow Cottages and include the following features:

Two-day package - Day 1: a full-day visit to the highest pub in Africa at the top of Sani pass ( for which passports are required). A five star dinner at Moorcroft restaurant.
Day 2: a two-hour moderate hike to N'thaben followed by a tube ride down the Umzimkulu river. The day's excursion is concluded with drinks and a barbeque on Moonrise deck.

Three-day package - Day 1: a self-drive visit to the historic Reichenau and Centacow Catholic missions traversing some of the most spectacular rural Zululand mountain landscape (an approximately 150 kilometres, 5 hours excursion). A trout dinner at the Polo Restaurant and Trout Bar.
Day 2: an early morning visit to a working dairy farm followed by a hearty breakfast at the Lemon Tree Bistro. Golfing at the spectacular Drakensberg Gardens resort (nine holes) or horse riding at Khotso Horse trails for the male members and a half-day make-over at the Total Body Clinic for the female members of the party. Dinner at the Himeville Arms Hotel.
Day 3: a full-day visit to the highest pub in Africa at the top of Sani Pass (for which passports are required). A five star dinner at Moorcroft restaurant.

Packages of various dimensions and catering for a variety of interests are arranged for visitors to the estate. Trout fishing clinics and venues with proven stock are arranged. Outings to exclusive trout waters in Lesotho can be scheduled with local guides. Mountain guides will lead the accomplished and aspirant mountaineer to several spectacular mountain peaks (one of which is the highest south of the Capricorn median). For the naturalist, other guides offer insight into the spectacular Drakensberg montane biome, its geomorphology, animal life and rich bushman art heritage.

SERVICES & FACILITIES

Accommodation in the Birches and the Willows

Perfectly suited for the longer term visitor, Birches B&B and/or self catering is a luxury suite, offering accommodation for two adults and one child with an extra-length king size bed and a queen-sized sleeper couch. The kitchenette which contains a fridge, four plate hob with overhead extractor, microwave, toaster and kettle, has been designed for the traveler who wants to combine B&B with self-catering. The cottage consists of the kitchen/lounge and dining area, a spacious bedroom and a bathroom with a bath, shower and his/hers basins. Appointments are luxurious and designed to meet the requirements of the most discerning traveler. A cozy gas fire, panel heaters and electric blankets are provided to counter the chilly Underberg winter nights. The beds are dressed in percale linen and the embroidered duvets are filled with duck down. Floors are covered in sumptuous thick-pile carpets while the cottage walls are adorned with collector’s hand-coloured photographs and original paintings.

Willows B&B is a luxury bed-sitter suited to the shorter term and overnight traveler. Accommodating two persons on adjoining single beds, its luxurious appointment includes a bar fridge, micro-wave and beverage preparation area. The beds are dressed in sheer percale linen and the duck down duvets are underset with electric blankets. The bathroom has a bath, shower and a vanity area and has under floor heating. The walls are hung with black and white photographs of the Underberg region.

Both the Birches and the Willows are situated in a private lawned garden surrounded by beautiful trees. A barbeque facility with a pond and garden table and plentiful verandah couches offer superlative outdoor living. Parking is provided under shade cloth adjacent to the cottages. Both cottages have TV and are serviced daily to international standards. A well-stocked herb garden is available to guests. Underberg has a laundry and dry-cleaning facility.

The cottages are situated on a beautiful six-hectare estate, four kilometers outside Underberg and guests are encouraged to partake of all facilities on offer. Two kilometers of meandering footpaths connect the corners of the estate and several decks offer splendid views of the surrounding mountains and the Umzimkulu River. The observant guest may see otters, several mongooses, black backed jackal, hare, duiker, grey rhebuck and a host of other mammals on the estate. Some three hundred species of birds have been recorded in the area. The Umzimkulu River offers excellent trout fishing and swimming in glorious mountain pools and an exhilarating hour-long white water tubing experience. Guests regularly sip sundowners while watching the moonrise or enjoy a luxurious barbeque on one of the estate’s many decks.

RATES

Birches - R350pppn

Willows - R300pppn