Kwela
Lodge Cell:
+27 83 758 44 77 |
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Rene
& Birgit Oegger Tel:
+27 33 397 51 11 |
Kwela Lodge is privately owned and managed by René and Birgit Oegger (Swiss and German). The property includes 4 ha landscaped and indiginous gardens with ancient trees and 54 ha unspoiled bush and grass plains with thorn trees and Aloes. It is situated at the foot of Otto's Bluff Mountain with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Albert Falls Dam and Umgeni Valley - and only 15 min. from Pietermaritzburg, 20 min. from Albert Falls Dam Reserve and 50 min. from Durban.
From app. 1946
until 1953 "Otto's Bluff Farm" - as it was then called - was
a working farm with dairy cattle, maize and wattle tree plantations and
a mill. The old mill stone can still be seen in our front garden as well
as the original stone work wall around the old kraal and cows' stable.
Most buildings are made of red brick - the ceiling in the main house,
the floor in "The Mill" and the beams in the "The Barn"
are made from yellowwood. Kwela
Lodge is the ideal getaway for the holiday maker or business
traveller, nature lover and bird watcher - anyone wanting to relax and
seeking tranquility, peace and security in country surrounding for a weekend
or longer stay. Facilities
for our house guests include:
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History:
The original farmhouse was built in 1841 and belonged to P.A.R. (Pieter
Albertus Rhyno) Otto, one of the first settlers to the valley. Otto’s
Bluff Mountain is named after him. "Kwela" is the Zulu name
for Otto's Bluff Mountain and means "climb on". 2 Oak Trees
which have been planted by P.A.R. Otto can still be seen in the old farm
garden. 
of
Otto’s Bluff Mountain. Rider Haggard came to this area as a learner
farmer employed by P.A.R. Otto.