Site #66 on Kudu Game Ranch is a 200 sq metre thatched property situated in the drier northern region of the farm and looks onto a ridge where game can be spotted whilst seated on the patio enjoying a beer. There are 100 properties on the 6,000 hectare (15,000 acre) farm and as a result each has it's own private space and neighbouring properties can't be seen and are rarely heard, with the nearest being a kilometre away.

The house has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an outside shower, a lounge/diner and a small kitchen. The master bedroom has unrivalled views of the bush which can be enjoyed whilst lying in bed and has 5 metre concertina doors which open onto a large open patio area. The master bedroom has a large king size (6 ft) bed and a large ensuite containing a slipper bath and raindrop shower. Concertina doors open out onto the outside shower area from the bathroom, one side of which is open to the surrounding bush. With the door open a bath can be taken whilst looking out onto the bush.

The lounge also has seven metre concertina doors opening onto a large covered patio area containing a table and chairs for al fresco dining. The kitchen is small but well equipped with a large fridge freezer, stove and a small dishwasher and also a breakfast bar with stools if you preferred to eat indoors. There is also an automatic washing machine in the boiler room which can be accessed from the side of the property.

There is a second bathroom next to the kitchen which services the second bedroom. The second bedroom is on the mezzanine floor and contains two single beds.

The property is serviced by mains electricity through underground cables and borehole water.

As I write this we are in the process of installing a small splash pool at the end of the patio but there is also a communal pool near the main gate to the farm.

The braai (bbq) area is next to the house built amongst some rocks and affords great sightings whilst you're cooking of a family of dwarf mongoose whose home range includes the property.

There have been no instances of security breaches on the farm but because of it's isolation and the threat of poaching there is 24 hour armed perimeter patrols. The house is also fully radio alarmed.

Kudu game ranch is a 6,000 hectare managed conservancy on the South African escarpment in the province of Mpumalanga. The farm sits at an altitude of 5,500 feet and as a result has warm days and cool evenings and is malaria free. At the last game count there were 1,100 head of game on the farm including buffalo, white rhino, leopard, sable, giraffe, zebra, eland, hippo, crocodile and numerous other antelope species. It is a bird watchers paradise and sightings include a pair of African Crowned Eagles who return to nest every year as well as vultures attracted to the "vulture restaurant".

There are some 280kms of gravel roads on the farm which includes some very rugged terrain, two waterfalls and a man made wetlands area which attracts numerous water fowl. Two rivers flow through the property which are all well stocked with fish. The farm also keeps it's own horses which can be rented (at a very reasonable cost) and ridden amongst the game who don't perceive horses as a threat and subsequently allow you to get much closer than you would on foot.

In the local vicinity of the farm (12kms) the town of Lydenburg has numerous restaurants and two large supermarkets to cater to all your needs.

Nearby attractions include the Kruger National Park which contains Africa's biggest diversity of eco systems(14) and it is only a hour's drive to Numbi gate in the game rich southern section of the park. Elephant numbers are at an all time high of 12,000 individuals as a result of the curtailment of culling at independence in 1994 and all the big 5, except for maybe the elusive leopard, are an almost guaranteed sighting. Mpumalanga contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the world and where the escarpment drops away to the lowveld you will find the beautiful Blyde River Canyon and the amazing God's Window. This area also contains lots of waterfalls, all of which are worth a visit. The gold mining museum town of Pilgrim's Rest is also only a short drive away and if shopping is your vice then Nelspruit can be reached via the Long Tom Pass, so named for the Boer cannon that was used against the British in the Anglo-Boer war and shell marks can still be seen along the route. The Long Tom Pass contains some dramatic scenery and is best viewed in the morning as the mist rises out of the valleys.

There are lots more local attractions and should you decide to go and stay then lots more information will be provided.

The property is 320Kms east of Johannesburg airport and is an easy 3.5 hour drive along very good roads.

Car necessary: yes; Car useful: yes.

Click here to visit the Owners website.