Durban - Nestled below the Ingeli mountain range and surrounded by breathtaking indigenous forests, Ingeli Forest Lodge in East Griqualand is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the combination of country living and quality accommodation.
Ingeli Forest Lodge’s spacious and comfortable rooms look out on to a tranquil forest setting. They offer a variety of room options: executive suites (where Oprah Winfrey stayed), double-storey log cabins with three double beds and a sleeper couch, raised log cabins with twin doubles (best views at the lodge), garden and pool view rooms with private car ports, forest and garden view rooms. All have en-suite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, DStv, tea and coffee-making facilities and undercover parking.
Lodge staff pride themselves on the quality and variety of their fine dining and food and aim to impress with their à la carte menu in their Eaglet Restaurant, scrumptious carvery with only the best East Griqualand meats, or their pub grub and relaxing pre-dinner cocktails.
There are magnificent views from the deck which is great for sundowners after a fun-filled day, coffee and cake at the Ingeli Cafe, relax in the Garden Court Yard for drinks, play pool at the Forrester’s Bar, or settle down to read by the fire in the lounge.
While the lodge is all about comfort and relaxation, it’s the outdoors which is the main attraction.
There are beautiful forest walks and picnic opportunities by the dam and the chance to spot birds such as the Narina Trogan and Cape Parrot, while the Blue Swallow sanctuary is nearby.
For the more sporty, there are early morning trail runs and mountain biking opportunities, tennis, hiking trails, golf at the Harding Country Club and horse riding.
There’s also abseiling, canopy tours and gorge swinging at Oribi Gorge. A spa massage therapist can be arranged.
Ingeli Forest Lodge has an exquisite chapel, and a wedding planner on hand, plus it offers conferencing for up to 82 residential delegates.
From Durban take the N2 to Port Shepstone and then inland to Kokstad. You will find Ingeli on the left hand side of the hill between Kokstad and Harding.
For reservations, call 039 553 0600, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ingeliforestlodge.co.za - Sunday Tribune