Hello! We are Sue, Jabu, Lucky, Zama, Sboniso, Siyanda, Zandile and Philile, your hosts for your stay in the beautiful Karkloof area. We have all been living in the area most of our lives. We are ably assisted by Meghan and Sanisha in Durban. We are excited to welcome you.

Rockwood is situated on Spitzkop Farm and within the Karkloof Nature Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The Reserve is a joint venture between Rockwood Leisure and Ezimvelo KZN Wildlife while Spitzkop Farm is owned by the Hancock Family.

The greater Karkloof area has been identified as having significant value due to its biodiversity. Currently, the reserve consists of about 60% mist-belt forest / 40% mist-belt grassland and ranges from 1000m to 1767 m above sea level. This results in a significant number of endemic and near-endemic species of fauna and flora, including the Karkloof Blue butterfly (Orachrysops ariadne), and a sub-species of crested guinea fowl.

The lodges offer luxury self catering accommodation to those who appreciate the natural beauty and tranquility of an indigenous African forest. Bushbuck, Blue Duiker and Samango monkeys are frequent camp visitors.

Birdwatching on the forest fringes can offer some excellent rewards. Some of the more elusive species found are the Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, Crested Guinea Fowl and the Crowned Eagle.

For the adventurous, there are a number of activities including mountain biking, fishing, swimming (in natural pools) or the famous Karkloof Canopy Tour which offers a thrilling way to learn more about our forests while hanging 40m above the ground.

We invite you to let us help you choose your adventure and enjoy your stay with us.

Sue Stratford
Sue StratfordLodge Manager
Sue is our manager extraordinaire and always with a sense of humour! Sue lives at Rockwood with her husband, Ant, the Spitzkop Farm Manager. They have 2 sons and 2 dogs, a passion for reading and experiencing all the great African bush has to offer.
Jabu Shabalala
Jabu ShabalalaLodge Supervisor
Jabu is our “adventure” woman. Jabu is fearless except for crocodiles and we don’t have any. She has pulled many cars out of the mud but still refuses to drive into town. Jabu lives on the farm next door and walks to work every day.
Lucky Dhlamini
Lucky DhlaminiLodge Gardens
Lucky is a supreme gardener who is also a committed long-distance runner. Lucky has participated in the 100 miler, excelling in his age group. All ideas and management of the gardens are his. Lucky was born at Spitskop.
Zama Nkala
Zama NkalaLodge Attendant
Zama is another local from Howick who grew up on the farm next door with Jabu. She loves to help, is knowledgeable and is always ready with a friendly smile. Zama is engaged and has a young son.
Sboniso Madonda
Sboniso MadondaReserve Maintenance
Maintaining farm roads, trails, fences and fire breaks are top on Sboniso’s list of responsibilities. However, he is also a passionate soccer player who travels with Siyanda to play in local tournaments and an avid gardener. And of course, a proud dad to a young son and daughter.
Siyanda Sokhela
Siyanda SokhelaReserve Maintenance
Siyanda’s friendly face can be seen helping out throughout the reserve and farms. Living next door to the farm with his 2 precious daughters, Siyanda loves to play soccer in his free time and can be found competing on the field every weekend.
Philile Lushozi
Philile LushoziLodge Attendant
Philile lives at Triandra farm, next door. She has twin daughters who attend school in Howick. She loves to cook. Her dream is to open her own catering business one day.
Meghan Harrington
Meghan HarringtonMarketing Maestro
A bubbly personality that provides marketing support from the Head Office, Meghan is an avid coffee drinker who is always on the look out for KZN’s best cup of java and can be found working on a new DIY project or in her garden most weekends.
Sanisha Bholai
Sanisha BholaiReservations & Finance
The friendly voice that assists you from the Head Office, Sanisha is the teams reservationist. A lover of all things bling and fashionable, she enjoys exploring new resturants with her husband and expanding her snow globe collection.

Why Forests Are Important?

  • They help us – and the Earth – breathe: Just one adult leafy tree can produce enough oxygen in a season for ten people to breathe in a year! In turn, they absorb the planet’s Co2 emissions that fuel climate change.
  • Trees act as a noise and wind buffer: Particularly useful when you want to enjoy a tranquil holiday.
  • They help us relax: Studies have shown that exposure to forests, can speed up recovery, boost creativity and even surpress ADHD.
  • Trees fight flooding: In the event of a flash flood, tree roots will help slow the flow and lessen the risk of property damage and soil erosion.
  • They clean dirty air: By absorbing airborne pollutants, trees help us enjoy fresh air.
  • They help save lives: The asthma drug theophylline comes from cacao trees, for example, while a compound in eastern red cedar needles has been found to fight MRSA, a type of staph infection that resists many antibiotic drugs.
  • Trees help with job creation: According to the UN, billions of people rely in some way on forests for their livelihoods.
  • Forests are more than just trees: Nearly half of all known species exist within forests!
  • They make it rain:  Large forests like the Amazon can influence regional weather patterns that promote regular rainfall.
  • We need them to survive

Committed to the Sustainable Development Goals

The sustainable development goals call for improvements to living standards for all. Rockwood contributes to this important task by focusing on sustainably caring for existing habitats. We give hope to people in the area and a sense of purpose to protect, conserve, preserve and restore the natural landscapes including the water, soil and biodiversity by sharing knowledge and ideas and providing adequate investment for innovation and the creation of economic activity while realising the need for long term sustainable futures for all.

In an ever evolving world, protecting, conserving, preserving and restoring these slowly adapting environments with minimal interference provides comfort of the familiar, and nurtures the human spirit to accept what has been, what is and what may yet still be to come.

LIFE ON LAND

To sustainably manage forests, reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

CLIMATE ACTION

To limit global warming to 1.5C this century.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

CLEAN WATER

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

WE VALUE THE PLANET

For Prosperity

WE VALUE PEOPLE

With Purpose

WE VALUE PROGRESS

And Preservation