There are not many holiday destinations that allow you to game-watch in the morning, have a Swedish massage in the privacy of a therapy room overlooking a tranquil dam in the afternoon, then dash off for an evening of high-flying entertainment just down the road.
Kedar Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa, in the North West Province, lets you do pretty much all that and more. And it’s only approximately two hours’ drive from Gaborone.
And now is a good time to take advantage of Kedar’s summer specials ÔÇô excellent rates, discounted spa vouchers and gifts to make your stay even more comfortable. You may even find chocolate Kruger Rands on your pillow.
Kedar boasts 62 African-themed, stone-and-thatch chalets, which combine luxury and rustic charm. There are 12 standard twin rooms, 33 deluxe rooms, 15 super-deluxe rooms (with outdoor showers in enclosed gardens), a royal suite and a presidential suite with an outdoor shower, plunge pool and fireplace. All budgets are therefore catered for.
Of historical interest is the fact that Kedar was built on what was Paul Kruger’s old farm, Boekenhoutfontein. The former president of the Transvaal Boer Republic retired here and it’s not hard to see why the site must have appealed to him.
The bushveld is tranquil here, ringed by sun-washed hills, and one of the few peat wetlands in the North West draws birdlife in abundance. The current owners are restoring these wetlands and removing alien vegetation, allowing the indigenous plants to flourish.
Game roams freely and you can expect to get close to giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, blesbok, kudu and duiker. You can book a game drive and traverse the hills, or simply strike out on one of the bushveld paths, on foot.
You can also visit Paul Kruger’s former home and schoolhouse, with its ox-blood and dung floor. The house is crammed with his family’s belongings ÔÇô a framed family tree, embroidery, guns, cups and saucers, children’s dolls, an old telephone, a lion skin (Kruger loved hunting). The buildings have been restored by the Simon van der Stel Foundation and the farm itself was declared a National Monument in 1971.
For those in search of pampering, Kedar’s exclusive, wooded Spa is perfect. The Spa was built on the wall of the dam (which was originally built by Kruger himself) and this had to be drained so the therapy pagodas could be constructed. Each pagoda hovers over the water and looks out on an expanse of bushveld. You really do feel you are in seclusion here and it goes without saying that the treatments are beyond relaxing. You may even find yourself dropping off to sleep, lulled by the silent and beautiful surroundings.
Of course, for those who want to do something adventurous, Sun City is just 21km away from Kedar. But if you want to dine on the property, The Armoury serves delicious comfort-fare in the South African tradition. For a more traditionally African experience, sit around the boma bonfire with a drink and enjoy the open air.
Summer specials: R555 per person sharing (standard room, dinner, bed and breakfast), R660 for one person (standard room, dinner, bed and breakfast). Children four ÔÇô 15 years free when sharing with parents, meals excluded.
Added value: Fruit basket, bottle of house-wine and spa gift-pack, as well as a 20 percent discount voucher for use at the Spa.
Advance bookings essential.
Tel: +27 (0)11 950 6000 or 0861 732237 / email: [email protected] / www.recreationafrica.co.za
