White River, Mpumalanga - Belgrace is the place of love. This is where you fall in love – reconnecting with your sweetheart, and nature, in special, tranquil surroundings.
My girlfriend and I were bowled over by the beauty at the boutique hotel on a farm in White River in Mpumalanga.
Just over 19 months ago Shaun Loudon and his wife Belinda deserted the hustle and bustle of Joburg and embarked on an adventure – to provide an exclusive 5-star facility that would cater for discerning guests.
They have struck a fine balance between peace and quiet, and style and service. The decor in the private suite mixes Victorian and trendy styles to good effect.
The staff treat you like royalty.
They know exactly what to do and how to do it. They provide personalised, top-drawer service without getting in your space.
We experienced it with Lethu Ntombela and Bobo Fatyela, humble human beings, efficient workers and beautiful souls.
You can’t but be inspired by Lethu’s story. He left home in Eshowe in deep rural KwaZulu-Natal, on the back of the van, not knowing where he was going, only told he would be trained and given jobs. Once in Mpumalanga, he was given a crash course and later deployed to rhino poachers.
The hours were long and the slog hard. Then one day a good Samaritan removed him and trained him as a barman. That was Lethu’s introduction to the hospitality industry.
His colleague Bobo mixes drinks at the bar at Belgrace but after work he is a dedicated community leader.
A special moment during our lovely weekend was dinner under the Fig Tree. The canopy acting as a natural umbrella, we sipped good wine and ate yummy food.
If you feel adventurous and want to venture out, there are activities aplenty a stone’s throw away from Belgrace. These include an excursion along the scenic and popular Panorama Route, the Botanical Gardens and the Sudwala Caves. We chose the legendary Kruger National Park. And what an inspired choice it turned out to be.
Our first sighting was of a male leopard preparing to pounce on a warthog family. After a charge, daddy warthog, waving those scalpel-sharp horns, successfully repelled the attack, forcing the leopard to retreat.
We came within a touching distance of two white rhinos, saw elephants everywhere and a big group of buffalo at the Lower Sabie Dam. And as we headed for the exit, we spotted a pride of lions relaxing under a tree.
Satisfied, we drove back to Belgrace. There, watching the sun go down, we sipped some good red wine and slipped into our own little world. Belgrace has that effect on you. This perfect romantic getaway can do that to you.
l For more details, call 076 539 04090 or visit www.belgrace.co.za
Sunday Independent