Perhaps we are the only people on earth, in this moment, with the vastness of the views, a landscape that’s completely untouched. Rugged and raw. Sheer perfection in its undulating form. A compendium of words, sentiments and philosophical quotes come to mind.
Fighting over which phrase does justice to the feeling one experiences when looking out over the Sterkfontein Dam. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park taking ownership of the views. Breathing in the purity of the air, cascading down from the back of the Drakensberg Mountains. 22,000 hectares of an almost private nature reserve, all to ourselves.
Hovering above the hilltops, as if it has gradually, organically evolved out of the earth over time, Metsi Thaba Lodge elegantly anchors itself into the land it occupies, on the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment.
No more than a forty-minute drive from the Free State town of Harrismith, immersed in the unbridled beauty of a protected nature reserve that overlooks the Sterkfontein Dam, this unique hideaway is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. A place so remote, the crow flies in accordance with your imagination.
Comprising of a series of dwellings, Metsi Thaba Lodge accommodates as many as ten of your countryside clan. The main lodge houses the open-plan entertaining, living and dining spaces. A beautiful courtyard, plenty of indoor and outdoor reclining areas, wood-burning, smoke-free fireplaces, a large ensuite bedroom, and a glorious swimming pool. The other two smaller pods offer an additional four bedrooms altogether, with their own little kitchenettes for those morning brews in the bathtub.
Peas in a pod
As much as you’re here for the comfort in the wilderness. That outlandish luxury that comes with the contemporary construct of each lightweight steel pod. Its quality furnishings that have been stitched together by the owner’s designer friends. The style cleverly considered to take a back seat to the story that’s going on outside. You’ll have your slow mornings in the dreamy beds. Coffee on the deck, witnessing nature at her very best. You’ll gather around the braai areas, the dining tables, the fireplaces.
Games always on the go, together with the nibbles and tipples. But the majority of your time will be spent outdoors. On the boats, enjoying the mandatory whiskey with a splash of fresh, oh-so-clean dam water! Out onto the mountain trails, sharing your pathway with the occasional zebra, springbok, eland – of which there’s a resident herd of about 300! Black wildebeest, red hartebeest, sable, mountain reedbuck and blesbok.
And then there’s the birdlife! Drives in the game vehicle and discovering the bushmen paintings. Sundowners along the ridges of the sandstone cliffs. You’ll have access to all of the water sports, tennis, squash, archery and quad biking. There’s even spa facilities, a little shop, restaurant and bar at the neighbouring timeshare resort. Fortunately the owners work in reciprocity with their neighbours, for guests’ benefits.
On one of the days you could all venture into the heritage town of Clarens – ‘the jewel of the Eastern Free State’. Or to the brewery in the mountains. You’ll need at least a week to fully explore all that this magical place has to offer. To shut off and surrender to the wonders of the wilderness, that nurtures the essence of your soul. Perhaps that’s the statement that takes the trophy when pondering the pod life.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie