SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
Forest Lodge
Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms
NB: Suitable for 4 x 4 vehicles only. 20 minute drive from all other lodges.
Rockwood Forest Lodge is located on the banks of the Godwini stream within the indigenous forest of the Karkloof Nature Reserve. The lodge is a favourite with the owners as they were married there in 2004. Forest Lodge was built in the late 1960s by the Hancock family and has been enjoyed over the years by family, friends and guests.
Escape from everything digital as there is no cellphone access inside the lodge. Simply enjoy the peace and remoteness of the forest; explore the Karkloof Private Nature Reserve on foot or bicycle all year round; walk to the beautiful Godwini waterfalls; brush up of your birding knowledge with one of the expert guide books in the lodge; entertain the kids at our children’s play area – with jungle gym and zip line under the trees; explore the popular Midlands Meander route and Karkloof Canopy Tour; participate in one of the many events on the schooling and sporting calendars in the area; or enjoy a glass of red wine in front of the roaring fireplace.
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FOREST LODGE
Lodge Amenities
OUTDOOR PATIO
Big Green Egg
All lodges are equipped with a Big Green Egg barbeque with charcoal and firelighters. The Big Green Egg is the ultimate cooking experience. A culinary all-in-one masterpiece for continuous flawless results producing restaurant quality food at home. Achieve intense flavours.
For best results, read the instructions carefully on lighting, direct and indirect cooking.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND MORE
Frequently Asked Questions – All Lodges
Please note that the lodges are situated in different areas of the farm and reserve.
Please kindly note the following:
- Access to Rockwood Mountain Lodge and Rockwood Forest Lodge is recommended by 4×4 and high clearance vehicles only. The roads are rocky and slippery when wet.
- There is no direct access to the Karkloof Canopy Tour from the Eastern side of the reserve or when travelling from Rockwood Mountain Lodge.
- Please can all guests sign-in at the Rockwood Office on arrival. There is signage to the office after you enter the property.
- If possible, please kindly send a message or call our Duty Phone on 0734654335 as you leave Howick.
Please can we respectfully request that guests do not deviate from the directions emailed to you. Please DO NOT use any other routes, definitely NOT google maps, temporary and/or Mountain-Biking and/or Hiking trails routes sometimes marked “Easier”. We are not always available to rescue guests on their adventures!
Please request directions to your lodge at the time of booking to limit any possible deviations.
A set of linen and towels, including swimming towels, are provided in each unit for each occupant.
All bed linen is white and bathroom towels are white or charcoal. White linen may appear occasionally discoloured from the moutain water.
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed. The Lodges are located on a working farm and within an unfenced nature reserve. Dogs especially may chase the game, otters in the nearby dams and rivers, and monkeys. Smaller dogs could be attaked by monkeys or eaten by crowned eagles or caracal.
You can book online immediately through any of our bookings agents or by using our online booking portal just click here.
Alternatively, complete an equiry form on our Contact page or call us on +27 31 502 4043.
Farm House and Farm Cottage – There is permanent cellphone reception and wifi at the Farm Cottage and Farm House.
Forest Lodge and Mountain Cabin – Intermittent cell phone reception is available at Forest Lodge and Mountain Cabin. For the best reception, we recommend connecting to your car kit on the edge of the forest. Neither of these lodges have wifi.
There is no malaria risk in the area.
Check-In: 15.00pm – Check Out: 10.00am
Check-in:
- ALL GUESTS TO PLEASE REPORT TO OFFICE / RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL
- A gate code to enter the private property of Spitzkop Farm and the Karkloof Nature Reserve will be sent to you via Whatsapp and emailed to the address used on your booking before your check-in time of 15.00 on your day of arrival.
- Please follow the signs from the gate to the Rockwood Office Reception. Please park on the grass. You will receive the keys to your lodge and be asked to sign the register.
- After check-in, please follow the signs and proceed to your lodge. For Rockwood Farm House or Cottage, please park undercover at the back of the lodge and use the closest entrance for access.
For Rockwood Forest or Mountain Lodge, please park at your own discretion.
Check Out:
- Check out anytime before 10:00 am.
- Please ensure you have taken all your belongings with you.
- Please return the keys to Rockwood Office reception on departure.
- Have a safe trip home 🙂
2021 STANDARD RATES (Monday to Sunday)
Spitzkop Farm:
Rockwood Farm House: R7,600 per night for up to 8 people
Rockwood Farm Cottage: R3,200.00 per night for up to 4 people
Karkloof Nature Reserve:
Rockwood Forest Lodge: R3,975.00 per night for up to 6 people
Rockwood Mountain Cabin: R3,070.00 per night for up to 6 people
Minimum Stay: 2 nights over a weekend with 3 nights over a long weekend
Toddlers, 2 years and under, stay free.
Only one additional guests may be accommodated in a unit and will be charged at the equivalent, additional per person rate.
All rates include VAT.
Rockwood Leisure reserves the right to amend the published rates without notice. Rates are quoted per unit.
We welcome families. Please assist your children to enjoy a safe and fun visit. Our dams and rivers are unfenced and not safe for people who cannot swim. Children need to be supervised when enjoying the views or are close to the water.
Toddlers, 2 years and under, stay free. Additional guests, will be charged for at standard rates.
Late check in and check out is possible if the unit being occupied is not booked or due for maintenance and by prior arrangement with the lodge manager only.
The lodges are all self-catering with fully equipped kitchens. On reservation, we do offer the option to order frozen meals for delivery or the services of a private chef. There are several restaurants in the area. The closest Pick n Pay is at the St Johns Lifestyle Centre which is approximately 20 minute drive from the Rockwood Office. Our website offers some restaurant suggetions and the Midlands Meander brochure provides additional information.
The water in all units is safe for drinking. The water comes directly from the nearby rivers and is filtered before entering the units.
Occasionally, especially after very heavy rains, the water may appear murky at Forest Lodge or Mountain Cabin. However, the water poses no health threat.
Farm House – has an Ilve stove with gas hob and electric oven. Farm House also has a dishwasher.
Forest Lodge and Farm Cottage – have 4 plate electric stoves.
Mountain Cabin – has an eco-friendly gas oven and hob.
All lodges are equipped with fridge, freezer, kettle, toaster, and microwave ovens.
Each lodge is equipped with cutlery and crockery for the number of guests that can be accommodated in the lodge.
All units have bodums. A limited selection of baking utensils is available in each of the lodges.
Knives are sharp!
Granulated coffee, five roses tea, sugar, starter 1 liter of milk, salt, pepper and olive oil are provided in all units on arrival.
Farm House and Forest Lodge – Both Farm House and Forest Lodge have large, cosy fireplaces. Farm House has two, one in the living area and one in the TV room! Both units are stocked with firewood for the duration of your stay.
Fires pose a serious threat – Please close all fireplace doors or pull all logs away from each other and replace fire grate when leaving the house or retiring for the night. Hot coals can escape if left unchecked.
Farm House Underfloor Heating – Farm House main bedroom and bathrooms have underfloor heating.
All units have heaters in all bedrooms and living areas. Please turn off all heaters when not in use.
Magma Security patrols the farm regularly. The farm entrance gate is closed at night and a code is required for entry.
Each unit is fitted with an alarm and a safe to add to your peace of mind.
The Lodges, Cottage or Cabin are cleaned between 9am to 12am every day. Should you require them to be serviced again between 2pm and 4pm, please speak to housekeeping staff and let them know during the morning service.
Cleaning staff duties include general lodge, cottage and cabin cleaning, washing of dishes and making of beds. Staff do not cook, clean bikes or car, wash clothes or run errands.
We do provide a limited laundry service at an additional charge.
General
In these terms and conditions, Rockwood Leisure (Pty) Ltd incorporates the Rockwood Karkloof Lodge Collection, Karkloof Nature Reserve, Leopards Bush Nature Reserve and the Karkloof Forest Lodge.
Payment
All reservations are made on a pre-payment basis as outlined when bookings are reserved. Should payment not be timeously received, Rockwood Leisure reserves the right to automatically cancel such reserved accommodation.
Cancellations
Rockwood Lesiure reserves the right to charge the following cancellation fees should a confirmed reservation be cancelled within the following period-
5% cancellation fee if cancelled more than 30 days prior to arrival
50% cancellation fee if cancelled less than 14 days prior to arrival
100% cancellation fee if cancelled less than 7 days prior to arrival or no show.
Should cancelled accommodation be resold, cancellation fees shall be refunded less a 10% handling charge
“What an amazing 3 days. The location is amazing. No other people anywhere nearby, a stream with natural pool in front of the lodge, beautiful trees to keep the place cool, lovely walks and good cycle paths. So wonderful to get completely back to nature.”
KERRY, Feb 2021
“Isolated piece of paradise amongst the trees. Would love to spend more time exploring the surrounding forests. Plenty of firewood for the cold winters evenings.”
MAUREEN, Aug 2021
