ogradys.co.za
Accomodation:
- Macabelel
- Reitzii
- Granny's
- Ouma's
- O'Grady's Lodge
- River
- Still Water
- Horse Riding
- Bird Watching
- Hiking
- Nearby attractions
- 4x4 routes
- Mountain Biking
- Bleshbuck Hunting
- Clay Pigeon Shooting
- Map
- History
- Comments or Suggestions
Bokkie O'Grady
013-254 0079
083 456 7846
Bernard O'Grady
013-254 0690
info@ogradys.co.za
Experience fly-fishing at its best high
up on the
Steenkampsberg, 7000ft above sea level.
We have 10 Trout dams and 4km river fishing, and we
are just 20km north of Dullstroom, on the historical family farm Houtenbek.
This farm is also a Private Nature Reserve (1968) and adjoins Verlorenvallei World Wetland Site.
The Tonteldoos Conservancy (founding member) was recently established and it's purpose is to protect an area of 9000ha of indigenous fauna and flora.
Endangered species protected include the Oribi, Aardwolf, Arum Lillies and the 3 crane species (Wattled, Crowned and Blue crane).
Steenkampsberg, 7000ft above sea level.
We have 10 Trout dams and 4km river fishing, and we
are just 20km north of Dullstroom, on the historical family farm Houtenbek.
This farm is also a Private Nature Reserve (1968) and adjoins Verlorenvallei World Wetland Site.
The Tonteldoos Conservancy (founding member) was recently established and it's purpose is to protect an area of 9000ha of indigenous fauna and flora.
Endangered species protected include the Oribi, Aardwolf, Arum Lillies and the 3 crane species (Wattled, Crowned and Blue crane).
Macabelel River Lodge
This beautiful new stone lodge is totally
secluded on
520ha of mountanous highveld.
It is our prime Lodge and features storybook views of the upper Klip river, and some of the best river fly-fishing in our area.
It can accommodate up to 11 adults in 5 bedrooms and has 3 bathrooms, a kitchen, lounge, braai area and garage.
A 4x4 vehicle is essential in summer.
520ha of mountanous highveld.
It is our prime Lodge and features storybook views of the upper Klip river, and some of the best river fly-fishing in our area.
It can accommodate up to 11 adults in 5 bedrooms and has 3 bathrooms, a kitchen, lounge, braai area and garage.
A 4x4 vehicle is essential in summer.
Reitzii
The Reitzii is a Aloe that is indigenous
to our area,
and it's also the name of our other guest house.
It adjoins the main farm house, but does not sacrifice privacy in this regard.
Inside you will find 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 3 toilets.
It has it's own private braai area (picture above), is fully eqiuipped for self-catering and has satellite TV.
This Guest house is very comfortable and can accomodate 8 adults easily.
and it's also the name of our other guest house.
It adjoins the main farm house, but does not sacrifice privacy in this regard.
Inside you will find 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 3 toilets.
It has it's own private braai area (picture above), is fully eqiuipped for self-catering and has satellite TV.
This Guest house is very comfortable and can accomodate 8 adults easily.
Granny's Green Cottage
Granny's Green Cottage is situated in GrandmaDingena O'Grady's beautiful rose garden.
This cottage is very private and ideal for couples or small families.
It sleeps 4-5 adults in 2 en suite bedrooms and it is neatly furnished with all the amneties for self-catering.
It also has it's own stoep overlooking the garden, as well as braai facilities.
Ouma's
This was once the home of Oupa and Ouma Michaeland Dingena O'Grady.
Built in 1937, it truly has a farm feel to it, complete with it's stately pillars supporting the arches and verandas, and not forgetting it's beautiful Oregon wooden floors.
Accomodation consists of 3 large bedrooms,
2 bathrooms, lounge, TV and dining room, the original pantry and the kitchen.
This big farmhouse has more than enough room for 6 adults, and there's a seperate sunroom that can also sleep 6 adults, complete with it's own bathroom.
O'Grady's Lodge
O'Grady's Lodge is a spacious house, all alone on366ha grasslands with acommodation for 12 adults
in 5 bedrooms.
It has a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, shower and 2 toilets.
It is a fully equipped self catering lodge with linen supplied.
Electricty is supplied by a wind generator, as well as solar panels and water is heated by a old fashioned donkey.
Currently it is being used in a syndicate, but there are weeks available.
A record catch of a 3.9kg Rainbow Trout was recorded at this lodge, which is also the record catch for our farm.
Fly-fishing
We pride ourselves in having some of the best
fly-fishing in our area, not to mention the 10 dams and the 4km river frontage.
The river fishing on our farm, is for the more accomplished fisherman, although novices have had their fair share of luck in the past.
The river is very clear and untouched by mankind, it also quenches the odd thirst with sweet mountain water.
Fly-fishing (still water)
The still water fly-fishing on our farm is of the highestquality, and the dams are not small (size 1-3ha).
One of the dams, the Main Cormorant dam boasts the biggest recorded catch to date.
Other dams, such as the Boskrans, Church and Lazy Hadeda will keep the avid fisherman busy for hours on end.
All of the dams are safe to swim in (not in winter..brrrr),
but this is done at the customer's own risk.
Horse Riding
Except for all of the above, our farm also boasts geniunewild horses dating back to the Anglo-Boer War.
This farm and the horses were also mentioned in the book "Commando Courageous", written by Schikkerling.
Over time, we have tamed some of them, but there is still a few running wild in the mountain.
Those that we have tamed, are very easy to ride, even for the novice rider.
For the experienced rider, there's also herding and cattle counting outings.
The horse riding is at own risk.
Bird Watching
The highveld is truly a dream for any birdwatcher, and ourfarm is no exception!
There are more than 200 recorded species on our farm and this includes the endangered carnes.
We are also proud supporters of the Crane Foundation and numerous studies regarding their breeding habits,
have been conducted on our farm.
Hiking
(Part of the Steenkampsberg hiking trail - 1981).We have no fixed hiking routes on our farm, but there
are more than ample room for hikes all over the farm.
In each guesthouse/cottage there are easy maps of the farm and these can be used to plan your own hiking
trip - even a few fishing spots along the way.
The farm is very safe, and a picnic in a secluded valley or on top of a mountain, is an unforgettable experience.
Be warned the air here is very clean, and the sun merciless, so bring along enough sunscrean, as well as water bottles.
The water on the farm is very sweet and clear, so no need for bottled water.
Nearby Attractions
Tonteldoos, the area where the farm is situated, hasgrown tremendously over the past few years.
Only 4.5km from the Reitzii you will find a small cheese factory - Pendle Hill Dairy - (only by appointment), where only natural cheese is made.
There is also a Peach Brandy distillery (Kristalwater),
a tea garden (the Barn), a Lavender farm (Froggy Pond).
For the sports enthusiasts, Tonteldoos has it's own Pub, the Planter, where many a sports game have been watched..
As you can see ladies, not just a fisherman's paradise!
Map
History
The farm dates back to 1879, when it was originally bought by Bernard's great grandfather, Michael O'Grady, fromWillem Steenkamp.
A catholic church was built by the O'Grady family in 1951
and services are still being held every first Saturday at 1pm.
The following is an extract from Commando Courageous:
"September
11th, 1901. O'Grady's farmhouse is now a blackened waste, and everything
that fire could be applied to has been burned."
Comments or Suggestions
If you have any queries regarding availability, pleasecontact us as soon as possible, to avoid dissapointment.
Any comments or suggestions regarding this website is also more than welcome.
For those fortunate few of you who have visited our lodges, please feel free to drop us a line, we appreciate feedback, even if it's negative feedback.