From the drive to Invermooi, to the calm dams and serene views when you arrive, everything is geared around giving you the ultimate escape. The first thing you notice when you arrive, aside from the stunning tree-lined road, is the expansiveness of the space around Invermooi. The horizons stretch for what seems like forever, ending in views of the mountains in the distance and rolling hills.
Bordering on the Mkhomazi Wilderness area and surrounded by the Drakensberg Mountains, Invermooi Estate almost seems too perfect to be true. The estate is nestled in 1000ha of pristine, untouched countryside with five self-catering lodges to accommodate guests which are all the perfect distance apart to give you the feeling of being on your own private homestead in the countryside.
We arrived on a dry and sunny Friday afternoon, tired and grumpy after a long work week and really looking forward to the chance to unwind and clear our heads. From the moment we arrived, the sense of peace and solitude was palpable. Almost unconsciously we were breathing deeply of the crisp country air and wide-open spaces and found ourselves immediately relaxing and unwinding. Definitely a promising start to our mini-break!
We were staying in the Old Homestead, which is the original home on the property, built by Chris Saunders and his family. The home is full of old-world charm, with a beautiful vine-draped, picture-perfect walkway to the front door. The interior is neat and welcoming and feels just like a home should. Large beds in the 3 ensuite bedrooms and a luxurious lounge suite set around the large fireplace speak to the comfort and relaxation that awaits you, while the deep veranda overlooking fields of grazing cows and the Kamberg mountain gives you the perfect place to drink your morning coffee and soak up the calmness of your surrounds.
After settling in, we took a drive around the estate. The two dams, Mcnab and Malachite, were serene in the dusk light, with a few smatterings of fishermen in their waders patiently waiting for the trout to bite. We ventured up to the old stables near reception and said hello to the two little teacup pigs that live there, Matilda and Penelope, and then made our way out to the fields to see how many newly born calves we could spot. Calving season is a great time to visit Invermooi with the kids, little Indie was fascinated with the cows!
When it got too dark to explore anymore, we went home, cracked open a good bottle of wine and enjoyed a delicious home-made lasagna dinner around the dining room table while the fire crackled merrily behind us. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing around the fireplace and enjoying each others company and conversation. We all turned in early that night and enjoyed a restful night’s sleep in the enveloping silence of the valley. Waking refreshed and rejuvenated the following morning, we all enjoyed our cup of coffee on the veranda in the crisp dawn air.
Despite the fact that we only stayed for one evening, we all felt as if we had had a long refreshing break. Invermooi is certainly a treasure of the midlands.
-Clyde, Lauren, Indie, Christy, Darryl and Jenny.
Perfect for family getaways, weekend fishing excursions and much-needed city escapes. Book Your Stay Now.
