Accommodation in Tzaneen - Kings Walden Lodge, Tzaneen, Limpopo

Kings Walden Lodge Self Catering Accommodation  & Guest Lodge Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa

Kings Walden is an ideal stopover between Johannesburg and the Kruger Park. The lodge, which has been awarded a 3 Star Guest House Grading is an authentic, traditional English “Colonial” establishment, housing turn of the previous century antiques, family heirlooms and African artifacts. The original homestead was built in 1904.

Situated in 3 ha of formal English gardens with spectacular views of mountains and low country, the lodge will indulge you in a grand old traditional atmosphere with spacious suites furnished with individual cottage decor. On misty mornings, read a magazine on from of your own fireplace, enjoy the superb cuisine, relax in a tranquil environment. When the sun shines, order a picnic at the swimming pool, take a leisurely walk in the nearby forest, listen to the bird calls

And from this base, choose from a wide range of tours. Local attractions include scenic mountain drives, hiking trails, waterfalls, boating and fishing on several dams, the annual cherry blossom festival at Haenertsburg and a rich agricultural environment of avocados, bananas, citrus, macadamias, tea and timber. Sporting facilities in the area include golf, tennis squash, bowls and horse riding. The Phalaborwa entrance to the Kruger Park is an hour's drive away.

The Kings Walden gardens have been named by the magazine "House & Leisure" as the most romantic garden featured in the magazine over the last 100 issues. The gardens are open to the public on a daily basis.

Accommodation & Facilities
The fully-serviced guest house comprises five suites, two with kitchenettes and all with fireplaces, satellite TV and spacious sitting areas. A Cordon Bleu kitchen serves traditional English breakfasts and cuisine dinners are optional.

Many guests prefer to venture no further than their private lounge with its own fine fireplace where crackling logs enliven mysterious misty mornings. Or they may wander through the extensive Kings Walden gardens with acres of Agapanthus and St Joseph lilies, rolling lawns, lavender walks, a mirrored rose garden, water features, fountains and ornamental ponds. Sunny days can be spent around the extravagant1y large swimming pool fed by a mountain spring.

Kings Walden offers its guests the opportunity to meet the local people and to explore their history, traditions, rituals and beliefs. Half-day and full-day tours can be arranged under the leadership of James Ndhlovu, born and educated near Tzaneen and raised in the Head Kraal of Chief Mohlaba 11, thereby gaining an intimate knowledge of local customs and traditions.

1. Rural life in the Chief’s Kraal – tribal traditions and governance.
2. Sangomas (traditional healers) at work
3. How local indigenous plants and herbs are used as 'muti' (medicines)
4. Food, drink and hospitality of local people
5. Local craftsmen and woodcarvers
6. Storytellers and links with the spirits of ancestors

Apart from Kings Walden gardens, a variety of formal, indigenous, sub-tropical and conventional gardens are situated in the area and visits can be arranged. Of particular interest is the world-renowned McNeil Clivia Collection. Dating back to 1962, this amazing array of plants variations of colour from off-white to dark crimson red. Other characteristic such as shape, size and scent vary widely and are of interest to clivia enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The clivia garden is located in the Legalameetse nature reserve under a canopy of indigenous forest on the N Drakensberg.

Outdoor Facilities
Tzaneen is an attractive subtropical garden town with a colourful profusion of indigenous and exotic flowers and vegetation. An above average summer rainfall and temperate climate all year round ensures that everything grows here in great abundance - nuts, avocados and other vegetables, fruits (especially citrus fruits, mangoes, bananas and litchis), coffee, tea and cotton. Close by are extensive emerald green tea plantations and the surrounding mountain slopes are heavily forested with timber plantations of pine and blue gum.

Tzaneen is the ideal center from which to explore the region. Within easy reach the visitor can find archaeological sites, the biggest baobab tree, wildlife and nature reserves and a full range of quality tourism facilities and services, catering for all needs and interests of the visitor. Its unique natural scenery provides the most beautiful background for all the recreational and other tourism products and services, in the country.

Sporting & Leisure Activities  
The "Sunset Queen" is based at Ebenezer dam and offers day cruises, conference and overnight accommodation for up to 35 passengers (minimum 10 people.

The area offers a great opportunity for the visitor who would like to experience horse riding in the hills and valleys in the Haenertsburg and Magoebaskloof area.One hour and two hour outrides that can take you through forests and grasslands, rivers and the surrounding mountains.

Abseiling, kloofing and rock-climbing in the wild and exciting Mohlapetsi Valley. The visitor who enjoys extreme sports can enjoy these activites in a magnificent setting with breathtaking views.

Trout fly fishing is a popular sport in the Haenertsburg area on Dap Naude dam and several rivers in the vicinity. For those that love to spend hours with a line in the water, there are a number of places to do so in the absolute peace and quiet of our beautiful mountain.

Visiting places of local historical and archeological interest such as a tufa (petrified) waterfall and a disused gold mine, these hikes can, on booking, incorporate a delightfully colonial champagne brunch in the mountains. Visits to other parts of the wonderful Wolkberg are also available.

The nWoodbush trails are part of the system of national Hiking trails and wanders through the Woodbush Forest Reserve down Magoebaskloof, pass beautiful streams and waterfalls. The woodbush Forest Reserve is the second largest Indigenous Forest in South Africa. The two, three and five day hikes have overnight huts

Cultural & Historical interest   
The Agatha area, which lies at a height above sea level of 1 000 to 1 200 m above sea level, has the most spectacular views of the Wolkberg Mountains. With its temperate climate, the area has been a retreat from the hot and humid conditions of the Lowveld since the earliest days.

These date back to 1887 when the Selati goldfields were proclaimed as a result of gold being found along the Murchison Range. Doel Zeederberg played an important role in opening up the Lowveld when he inaugurated the Zeederberg Coach Service from Pietersburg to Leydsdorp via Haenertsberg. Life was hard, what with the heat, the lack of any comforts, the predation of the wild lions – and the dreaded malaria.