Blue Mountain Lodge - A Review

Blue Mountain Lodge - Mandela's Retreat

Blue Mountain Lodge is one of South Africa's most elegant country retreats set in 500 acres of indigenous bush, forestry and farmland. It is just one hour's drive from Kruger National Park and close to the Blyde River Canyon scenic viewpoints.

The Accommodation

Victorian Cottages, Manor Houses and French Provençal Apartments with interiors rich in fabrics and textures, reflecting the classical styles of Regency, Baroque, Refined Country Colonial and Mediterranean.

A firm favourite is the 'Out of Africa Suite' where leopard print footstool, whirring fan and gossamer mosquito netting gives it oodles of atmosphere. Entirely different are the compact double story duplexes surrounding the cobbled courtyard where the lofty bed has a forest view and the bathroom becomes part of the lounge when you open the connecting shutters.

The grand colonial Manor Houses by the bass-stocked lake, have their own private swimming pool and sleep four in sumptuous elegance. The manor house comes complete with chef, maid and butler and a tariff fully inclusive of food and fine wine.

President Mandela favours the exquisitely private Ballentine Suite with fireplaces in the lounge and bedroom, a glorious four poster bed, zebra skin floor rug and secluded patio plunge pool overlooking the avocado plantations.

Services

For intimate weddings the tiny private chapel is transformed with flowers and fragrant blossoms and any whim is catered for, including dining on the mountain top sipping champagne from crystal glasses with your feet resting on a Persian carpet.

No request is considered impossible and every challenge met with ingenuity. Suggested excursions include helicopter flights and sunrise or sunset game safaris. If more simple pleasures of tennis, golf, mountain biking, swimming, walking, bird watching or fishing appeal, then the farm and its surrounds are at your disposal.

The Cuisine

'Moderne' cuisine is taken seriously at Blue Mountain Lodge where only fresh ingredients are used combining opposing tastes and textures with great innovation. Consider a starter of home-grown chunky Avocado with Mozambican Prawns on a Bombay Curry Cream, followed by a palate cleanser of Mango Sorbet splashed with Campari. The chef also finds use for the farm's lychees, guavas, coffee, macadamia nuts, honey and herbs.