Poised at the top of a hill overlooking the golden, green and often red-hued Waterberg mountains, set on 25 hectares of uncultivated bushveld where golden wildebeest, nyala, sable, impala and giraffe roam ,this hideaway has been lovingly built to honour the hours of the day and the ever changing light and life of its surroundings.
The View is really rather extraordinary – a contemporary apartment in the middle of the bush! Completely off-grid making it the ideal haven in nature to retreat to, without being interrupted by the effects of load shedding. It overlooks a lovely dam, with two glorious en-suite bedrooms and stylish, open plan living and dining spaces of floor-to-ceiling glass – maximising on those 360-degree views of the Waterberg and National Park. Its expansive deck and tranquil swimming pool overlooks the land, as the giraffe, antelope and zebra saunter by, often gazing in through the open windows watching you as you prepare meals or relax in the reclining spaces. Being three metres off the ground, it feels as if you’re floating above the nature, elevated in the air with a birds eye view of the landscape. This is the perfect spot for couples or smaller groups to settle beside the water, watching the wildlife drink and bath from the watering hole, enjoying the odd deep tissue massage treatment in the space, with the shutters opened up wide or closed. With incredibly stylish interiors that include a wood burning stove, hardwood floors, comfy refined furnishings in a voluminous space that has an open, airy flow, as well as being perfectly equipped for self catering. The View is a statement of contemporary integration into a multifaceted, creative bush hideaway.
Afternoons will be spent around the swimming pool or venturing out onto the many hiking trails. Either through the forests or up into the mountains. There are, of course, options to enter the National Parks and enjoy either guided or self-drives, and guided walks with the Big Five. The lovely owners of Cypiro will gladly map out as many adventurous routes as you fancy, to explore the stunning scenery that surrounds, and the lovely look-out points for picnics and sundowners.
Evenings always begin with a salute to the sun, as you watch the animals bathing and drinking from their watering holes. As the night skies light up with the expansive blanket of stars, the nightjars start to signify nature’s clock with their song.
After an invigorating day of all that life in the bush brings, you’ll climb into bed once again and surrender to the stillness and the subtle sounds of the lion roaring in the distance, as you depict a picture of the new day that’s yet to unfold.
What we love!
- The views are absolutely spectacular, hence the name.
- Whilst the Marakele and Marataba National Parks are adjacent the property, there are a number of beautiful, scenic walks and picnic spots to explore within the 25 hectares of Cypiro Lodge.
- There are two marked walking trails, although you are at liberty to walk freely, at your leisure, rest assured that the antelope will not harm you and walking here is perfectly safe. Please keep in mind that you are in the bush though, the animals are wild and must be left alone, particularly when they have babies.
- Bring good walking shoes, comfortable socks and sunhats.
- With over Birdlife is 410 different bird species, the birdlife is prolific, including the largest colony of vultures that make for dramatic flights above the property.
What you need to know…
- The town of Thabazimbi is only 10 – 15 minutes away. It has all of the necessary shops and convenience stores for you to stock up on everything you’ll need for the duration of your stay.
- There is an additional fridge/freezer below deck.
- There is no defined garden at The View… your garden is the surrounding bush!
- There is an electric fence bordering the property for your security from the other wild animals in the neighbouring reserve that is active every day from 5pm until 7am.
- When you’re home and the wind blows, you’ll feel it. Constructed of steel and glass, 3m from the ground, this hideaway also gets chatty!
- The main bedroom purposefully has no blinds to allow for incredible star-gazing. If you need to sleep in darkness, remember to pack your eye-masks. The second bedroom does have blinds.
- You are welcome to arrange guided and self-drive game drives within the national park that’s only a 5-minute drive away from the Manor House.
- The property is self-catering with the aid of daily house-keeping to assist with the cleaning and tending to the chores we’d rather not when on holiday.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie
