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Phophonyane Falls Lodge and Nature Reserve |
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Phophonyane Falls Lodge and Nature Reserve |
Game Reserve Accommodation |
| Swaziland |
Piggs Peak & The North |
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Welcome |
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Discerning Travelers, seeking those magical little hideaways, come to the end of their treasure hunt at Phophonyane, for Swazi legend relates the romantic tale of a beautiful maiden and her love for a handsome warrior. For her hand he had to present her with the skin of a leopard which he had to hunt for on the rugged Gobolondlo mountain.
While hunting on the mountain-side he was seized by resident witches who turned him into a white flower, condemning him for his trespassing to bloom and die among the mountain grasses.
When after many days the warrior had still not returned, the lamenting maiden sat on the river's edge where her inexhaustible tears flowed to form the Phophonyane waterfalls. T.V. Bulpin in his book "Lost trails of the Transvaal" as part of his description of the Piggs Peak area writes "As a final masterpiece the Phophonyane (little river of waterfall) went tumbling down nearby from the edge of the heights, in a spectacular rush that is one of the most beautiful cascades in Africa."
Phophonyane Lodge, Swaziland's own special little hideaway is quietly tucked away in it's own nature reserve in this place of legendary romance and breathtaking natural surroundings. The Phophonyane river runs through the reserve in a series of waterfalls and cascades with the sound of running water providing an ever present sense of calm at the lodge. A network of walkways lead one from the accommodation through the water gardens which finally merge with the rivers edge onto a spectacular display of one of the world's oldest rock formation (3.5 billion years). The walking trails network within the reserve takes you through the riverine forest punctuated with designated viewpoints some of which command a view of the majestic Makhonjwa and Gobolondlo Mountain ranges and the Ntfonjeni valley. The Phophonyane Nature Reserve is home to small mammals such as red duiker, Cape clawless otter, bush buck and a remarkable 230 bird species including the elusive Narina Trogon, purple crested lourie and the wood owl.
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Location |
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| Both within the camp and spreading out across the 500ha nature reserve , a network of trails winds through the forest, crossing meandering waterways and finally culminating on the lip of the 80m high Phophonyane Falls. Exposed at this point are some of the world`s oldest rocks dated to 3.55 billion years. |
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Description |
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ACCOMMODATION
The water featured tropical gardens give privacy to the self-catering, fully furnished cottages and safari tents to ensure an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Each unit is individually woven into the lush fabric of tall sub-tropical forest, and there is no place at the lodge where the soothing sound of the running water isn`t heard. All meals can be enjoyed at the lodge`s renowned and stylishly furnished restaurant ,where healthy home-cooked meals and fine wines are a feature and a roaring log fire lulls the senses and warms the heart.
Both within the camp and spreading out across the 500ha nature reserve , a network of trails winds through the forest, crossing meandering waterways and finally culminating on the lip of the 80m high Phophonyane Falls. Exposed at this point are some of the world`s oldest rocks dated to 3.55 billion years.
Although most of the accommodation is self-catering, for those not wishing to self cater there is Restaurant. An a la Carte restaurant that offers a variety of home cooked meals including a number of vegetarian dishes.
COTTAGES
Cottages 1 & 2 - Are double storey thatched cottages, which sleep a maximum of 5 people, upstairs there is a double bed and a single bed and downstairs there are 2 single beds. The cottages are very comfortably furnished, with a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, braai facilities and a large private gardens.
Cottage 3 (Guest Suite) - A cozy one bedroom cottage with a double bed, en suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, covered verandah, braai facilities and a large private garden. This cottage is very popular with honeymoon couples
BEHIVES
Beehives 1 and 2 - The beehives are in a stunning location with a magnificent view over the waterfalls down to the valley below. The beehives are luxurious and very romantic versions of Swazi traditional accommodation, complete with windows and en suite bathrooms, done with natural materials and original artwork and ceramics.
Beehive 1 is extremely cosy and contains a king size bed and sleeps two. Beehive 2 is more spacious and contains a kingsize bed and a single bed and sleeps three.
TENTS
Tented camp 1 (tents 1 & 2) - Situated near the river, these tents are large, originally designed for 6 but accommodated 3. Each tent has a double bed and a single bed, carpeting and electricity. These tents share a stone-and-thatch fully equipped kitchen, which has a lounge area and a balcony overhanging the river
Tented camp 2 (tents 3, 4, 5) - These tents are perched on stilts with their own private balcony overlooking the river. Each tent has a double bed and a single bed with the exception of tent 5, which has 2 single beds. They are fully carpeted and have electricity. These tents are non-self catering but there are braai facilities. A restaurant and a bar are available on the premises.
RESTAURANT
The Driftwood Restaurant at Phophonyane has a romantic and tasteful African ambience, spaciously laid out with high ceilings and spectacular views over the surrounding mountains and valleys. The a-la-carte menu has a variety of dishes, including Swazi traditional dishes, and a wine list with a good selection of fine South African wines. The magnificent viewing deck is always available to guests for meals at their request.
There is a very comfortable lounge area with a great collection of travel and art books, as well as a well stocked library for the convenience of guests.
Good reception for all South African and Swazi cell networks is available at the Lodge.
In the evening the gardens are adorned with a warm gentle glow from a network of pathway lights that lead you to the stylishly furnished restaurant where you are treated to home cooked meals.
One can enjoy a sundowner on the restaurant veranda overlooking the valley. For those chilly wintry nights one can enjoy a romantic evening in front of an open log fire.
EXPERIENCE
Overlooking the Maguga dam and the lower Komati River, these awe inspiring rock paintings are located in one of the hills in the Nsangwini area. Ancient figures meticulously drawn on the rock in the cave portray the dance, fight and hunting of a period naturally lived.
PHOPHONYANE FALLS OFFERS
Swimming in the natural rock pool situated near the lower Phophonyane falls and commands a spectacular view of the valley below
Walking trails leading to breathtaking views of the waterfalls, cascades and the surrounding mountains and forest.
Small game such as red duiker and bushbuck.
230 bird species , Wood Owl and Bushbaby sounds and sightings.
4x4 drives to Gobolondlo Mountain, historical sites and to the Nsangwini bushmen paintings.
The nature reserve and restaurant, which can be visited for lunch by day visitors.
Day trips can be made to the Kruger National Park, which is only 70 km away.
Self-guided excursions to art and craft markets and the wide expanses of Malololtja Nature Reserve and the giant Maguga Dam.
GOBOLONDLO MOUNTAIN DRIVE (A panoramic Feast)
Take the twenty minutes climb and be rewarded with the most beautiful 360º panorama. Look west to where the Lomati, Shashawane and Shelangubo rivers traverse the Makhonjwa Hills and the Sondeza Mountain ranges, creating spectacular gorges. Futher South Bulembu Mountain towers over the Bulembu Village and forestry plantations, soaring to an impressive 1862 metres, the highest Mountain in the Kingdom. Cast your eyes to the South of Bulembu into the majestic Malolotja Mountain reserve and the Ngwenya Mountain. To the east views extend down to the lowveld where the Mnjoli and Sand River Dams glimmer in the distance against the Lubombo Range in the background. To the north the Ntfonjeni valley sprawls beneath you displaying Swazi homestead life and across the border to South Africa where Lake Matsamo soothes the eye. On the short but steep walk up the mountain the nature lover will marvel at the lichen covered rock formations, the stands of montane forest with soaring tree ferns, and the array of mountain flowers.
THE NSANGWINI BUSHMAN PAINTINGS
Overlooking the Maguga dam and the lower Komati River, these awe inspiring rock paintings are located in the hills in the Nsangwini area. Ancient figures meticulously drawn on the rock in the cave portray the dance, fight and hunting of a period naturally lived.
The spectacular "birdmen" painting especially provokes the mind, as one wonders whether this was the portrayal of the spiritual component of life in the Nsangwini Rock Shelter. Through human beings quest for lucid detail, these paintings have been outlined but still remain a prehistoric artistic display of an ancient way of life written on the rock by our ancestors |
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MAIN INFORMATION |
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| [Swaziland ] |
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click for map ] |
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MENU |
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CONTACT DETAILS |
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Telephone:
(+268) - 437 1429 /1319 |
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Fax:
(+268) - 437 1319 |
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Mobile:
604 2802 |
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| Phophonyane Lodge
P.O Box 199
Piggs Peak
Swaziland
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Your Host:
Rod de Vletter
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| Website:Click Here |
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