Durban - Drought? What drought? While large parts of South Africa are shrivelling up, here, at Ingeli Forest Resort between Harding and Kokstad, it’s perennially green.
The resort nestles in a mist belt below the Ingeli Mountain range and faces the highest point in the hilly countryside, with gorgeous indigenous forests resembling a sub-tropical jungle, though the mist is a lot cooler than sweltering steam.
On the other side of the hill on which the resort is situated, the land descends gradually, affording distant views across hills covered with indigenous forest, pine and gum plantations and farmland.
I’m not sure how many regular visitors stop long enough to admire their surroundings, since many are ardent trail runners or mountain bike riders. They had best keep focussed on the tricky forest trails, though the longer rides (up to 30km) venture across open, rolling hills.
Facilities are excellent, with a marshalling point and showers for day visitors/competitors. Trails of varying degrees of difficulty and length head out in many directions and are well marked and in good nick, though we bailed on our first attempt after a downpour, wishing to stay right side up rather than slip in the mud.
There are some serious switch backs, a floating bridge over the dam and the challenging “Commercial Suicide” for those wanting to redline their adrenal glands.
We opted instead for a relaxed light lunch on the long verandah, with seating for diners or on comfy couches and with PVC blinds for inclement conditions. Step one to chilling and unwinding was followed by step two – a siesta before drinks in the Forester’s Bar before dinner in The Eaglet restaurant – though the pub grub looked pretty good too.
The buffet was plentiful, the a la carte varied with an impressive, very reasonably priced wine list. We managed to squeeze in very good Dom Pedros after a delectable “chocolate volcano” before turning in.
Accommodation is varied at the three star resort, though every room has forest views, en-suite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, DStv and tea and coffee making facilities.
There are two executive suites, 12 deluxe rooms, 24 duplex suites, four raised log cabin rooms and two six-sleeper double storey log cabins.
Come morning, a light breakfast sufficed before we headed into the indigenous forest. At this stage I should point out that the resort – and especially large parts of forest – are close to an arterial road, meaning plenty of heavy trucks trundling past. Importantly for light sleepers like me, they don’t trundle through the night. And in no way did they detract from our little forest adventure. Nothing would, I reckon. It was magical. So much so that, after a drive around the area, we headed back into the greenery.
There are buck about and twitchers will delight at the chance of spotting birds such as the Narina Trogon and Cape parrot, but the fantastically twisted and contorted huge vines and beautiful trees filtering light through the tall canopy are the stars of the show.
Back at the ranch, so to speak, there is an immaculate tennis court alongside an extremely challenging adventure golf setup, a “pump track” for budding BMXers, jungle gym and kids’ play area. There is also a sparkling swimming pool in the – you guessed it – immaculate grounds.
Indoors, young kids have a bright and cheerful supervised playroom, while there are several charming lounge areas in which adults can relax. Chatting to other guests, the consensus was that Ingeli Forest Resort is the only place worth considering for miles around.
In close proximity is Oribi Gorge with plenty of highly recommended adrenalin junkie activities, though most guests seemed chilled – or on business as Ingeli is a meeting spot for informal conflabs and has impressive conference and wedding facilities, including a stone chapel.
There are so many good reasons to visit Ingeli, especially if you enjoy outdoor activities, or are on a roadtrip between KZN and the Cape.
Call 039 553 0600 or visit www.ingeliforestlodge.co.za to check out specials
Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune