|
|
 |
|
The farm was established in 1845 by J J Burger, then secretary of the Volksraad,
this was prior to the establishment of the Lydenburg Republic in 1855. |
 |
 |
The Spekboom Valley is well known in fly-fishing circles. The river was first
stocked in 1905 by the Lydenburg postmaster with Rainbow trout fingerlings
hatched in Stellenbosch with Ova imported from England. The catchment
tributaries feeding the Spekboom River include the Majubane, Whiskyspruit,
Kliprots and Steenkamps streams. All which combine and contribute to excellent
trout waters. Our commercial hatchery is established on the Spekboom and
produce’s about 25 tons for the table market and for live trout distribution to
angling estates countrywide. |
|
There are sites on the farm dating back to the Iron Age and evidence in the form
of ruins that people from East and Central Africa worked gold and copper
deposits on the farm. At the turn of the century gold was mined on viable
claims. In 1933 the valley was populated by some 3000 miners. The old diggings
and some artifacts can still be seen. |
 |
 |
Nooitgedacht Reserve is just less than 1200 hectares (2965 acres) in area in the
Mpumalanga Escarpment bordering the Long Tom Pass which became famous in the
Boer War. A temperate weather pattern is enjoyed with temperatures ranging from
32 degrees C (89.6F) to minus 3 degrees C (26.6F) at night in the winter months.
Rain can be expected in moderate falls from end September through to mid –
April. The Lodge is at an altitude of 1569 meters (5147 feet) and some parts of
the farm exceed 1900 meters (6233 feet). The navigational position is longitude
30-34-30 latitude 25-04-00. |
The farm is part of the Mount Anderson Catchment Nature Reserve and is of
tremendous interest to botanists and ornithologist’s due to the wealth of
indigenous plants and trees. All foreign invasive trees and plants are being
removed. Some 130 varieties of birds have been identified and recently both
African Finfoot and Fulvous ducks have visited. Fish Eagle, Black Eagle and Cape
Vultures are often sighted.
Indigenous game include Aardwolf, African Wildcat, Antbear (Aardvark), Baboon,
Black Backed Jackal, Blesbok, Bushbaby, Bushpig, Caracal(Rooikat), Civet, Eland,
genet, Grey Duiker, Klipspringer, Kudu, Leopard, Mountain Reebok, Mongoose
Slender, Mongoose Water,Oribi, Otter, Porcupine, Reebok, Serval, Vervet Monkey,
Zebra and the rare Brown Hyena.
The estate is a two and half hour drive from the Kruger National Park and a
three and half hour drive from Johannesburg. |
 |
 |
Nooitgedacht Trout Lodge has five double en-suite bedrooms all comfortably
furnished in luxurious style. 3 bedrooms have open log burning fireplaces, all
other have electrical heating. A very comfortable lounge leads onto a wide well
appointed veranda. The veranda’s view is over “Gold Mine” lake and up to the
mountains on the northern border. A well furnished dining room leads off the
lounge bar foyer. |
|
For relaxation nearly 4 kilometer’s of excellent trout river is available with
three large dams provided with stable casting boats. Fly-fishing tuition and
tackle is available by arrangement with the manager. Catch and release is
practiced. Kills are levied at R40.00 per kilo for Rainbow and R50.00 per kilo
for Brown Trout. The lodge staff will gut, weigh and clean your catch. Bag limit
of 3 fish per rod per day. We have 9 stabled riding horses and supervised trail
rides are organized at R90.00 per hour. |
 |
 |
A 4 x 4 mountain drive leads to some quite spectacular scenery and wonderful
picnic spots. Hatchery tours can be arranged with the manager and are
particularly interesting in the breeding season May to mid August.
mid August.
|