Rockwood Karkloof Farm Stays

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.

If possible, please kindly send a message or call our Duty Phone on 0734654335 as you leave Howick.

Please can all guests sign-in at the Rockwood Office on arrival. There is signage to the office after you enter the property.

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.

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. Neither of these lodges have wifi.

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.

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.

Farm House and Forest Lodge – Both have large, cozy fireplaces and are stocked with firewood. 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: BOOKING CONFIRMATION AND PAYMENT On receipt of your reservation, a pro-forma invoice will be emailed to you. Please check the required deposit as bookings are only confirmed once the deposit is received. Please follow the link to our secure PayBridge payment portal or send your proof of payment to reservations@rockwood.co.za . Please note the same credit card that is used for the booking, as well as, the cardholder ID or Passport will be required at check-in (a driver’s license is not proof of identity). 4x4 ACCESS AND DIRECTIONS FOREST LODGE and MOUNTAIN CABIN: Accessible ONLY by 4x4 or high clearance vehicles. FARM HOUSE AND FARM COTTAGE: Accessible on farm dirt roads. Detailed directions are provided below. RECEPTION AND CHECK-IN Check-in is from 3.00pm. We operate in a remote area and for our guest’s convenience, we request that we are notified of your time of arrival to ensure that we are able to meet you at reception before you proceed to your lodge. Please ring our duty phone on 073 465 4335 when you arrive in Howick so that we are available. There is signage on the property to the reception / office. CHECK OUT Check is at 10am. Late check-outs can be accommodated under certain conditions by prior arrangement with management. WATER, POWER AND ELECTRICITY All water is safe to drink. MOUNTAIN LODGE – Is eco-friendly and operates on GAS AND SOLAR. Please DO NOT use additional electronic appliance such as hairdryers and laptops. ALL OTHER LODGES – Rely on Eskom for electricity. Backup lamps and gas stoves with kettles are available in the event of a power failure. SUPPLIES All lodges are stocked with linen, towels, toiletries and basic bathroom amenities. Complimentary starter packs of tea, coffee, milk, sugar, cooking oil, charcoal and basic condiments are provided. FOREST LODGE, FARM HOUSE AND FARM COTTAGE : Firewood is supplied. UNFENCED DAMS AND RIVERS Please note if you are travelling with anyone who cannot swim: Rockwood FARM HOUSE and COTTAGE share an UNFENCED dam. Rockwood FOREST LODGE is situated on the banks of a stream. NO PETS POLICY We regret that Rockwood is a within a Nature Reserve and that we are unable to accommodate pets as they are unaccustomed to the wildlife (and usually pose a threat to themselves). WEATHER The Karkloof is a hot, afternoon rainfall Summer area and Winters are sunny and cold. Please bear this in mind when travelling and pack appropriate clothing. SERVICE TIMES Lodges are serviced daily in the morning. Servicing includes washing dishes, sweeping and making beds. For an additional fee our staff may wash your bikes or prepare your breakfast and salads. ACTIVITIES TRAILS - Rockwood has over 25km of maintained mountain bike, hiking and trail running tracks. The Rockwood Angel is a 7km downhill MTB track from the top of Mount Lebanon to the bottom of the Rockwood dam. It has been described as “pure and natural as it gets.” Alternatively, the Karkloof Country Club is less than 12kms and has a vast expanse of trails. KARKLOOF CANOPY TOUR – The tour starts at the top of Rockwood. We will gladly assist with bookings and are able to offer discounted rates to guests of our lodges. FISHING - Godwini Dam on the way to FOREST LODGE. Please bring your own equipment. SWIMMING AND WATERFALLS – Too many to choose form! We offer a host of other activities including private dining with a local chef, yoga, pilates and various guided hikes with local experts. SECURITY All Lodges have an alarm system linked to armed response. Instructions are found in the guest book in your lodge LODGE CONTACT NUMBERS Rockwood Duty Phone: 073 465 4335 Lodge Manager: Sue Stratford 078 169 0041 ROCKWOOD OFFICE GPS CO-ORS 29°19.713’ S 30°14.262’ E As our guest, you have full access to the private Karkloof Nature Reserve. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your stay memorable. The Rockwood Lodges Team DIRECTIONS TO RECEPTION For “best results”, please print and keep with you. Please do not deviate, use google maps or use other signage (for example, our MTB and hiking trails are marked “easier route”), as we cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. FROM DURBAN Take N3 from Durban to Howick • Take Exit 103, Howick/Midmar (Karkloof Reserve) turn-off. TURN RIGHT across N3 towards Howick on Prospect Road / R103 (signs for Howick). • Travel 2km on and TURN LEFT on Main Road. • Continue for about 1.8km. TURN RIGHT onto the Karkloof Road (in the centre of Howick, at the SupaQuick Tyres). • After 13km TURN LEFT to Curry's Post onto a gravel road. • After 3.5km TURN RIGHT onto D815 to Karkloof Reserve West. • CONTINUE for 4.5km through the Rockwood gate (enter your code to open), and over a wooden bridge. • TURN RIGHT to ROCKWOOD OFFICE and the white sheds. The office reception is the last room on the RIGHT. FROM JOHANNESBURG Take N3 to Howick from Johannesburg. • Take Exit 114 (Lions River). TURN LEFT onto D369 towards Curry’s Post on the gravel road (Karkloof Reserve sign). • After 3.2km TURN RIGHT towards Howick on tar road (Karkloof Reserve). • After 3.5km TURN LEFT towards the Karkloof on gravel road (Karkloof Reserve). • After 6.6km CONTINUE straight across the crossroad to Karkloof Reserve West (D815). • CONTINUE for 4.5km through the Rockwood gate (enter your code to open), and over a wooden bridge. • TURN RIGHT to ROCKWOOD OFFICE and the white sheds. The office reception is the last room on the RIGHT. DIRECTIONS FROM RECEPTION TO LODGES ROCKWOOD FARM HOUSE AND COTTAGE The two units are situated a few hundred meters from reception and are visible across the field. • After check-in, go back the way you came for a short distance. TURN RIGHT onto the first road. • At the T-Junction TURN RIGHT. • About 300m down the road, enter through the green gate down the driveway. ROCKWOOD FOREST LODGE • After check-in, go back the way you came. • At the T-junction TURN LEFT and then immediately TURN RIGHT at the big sign (if you get to the wooden bridge, then you have gone too far). • Travel through the cement drift and head up to FOREST LODGE, approximately 5km. • When travelling to this lodge, please DO NOT go off track or follow signs that indicate “EASIER ROUTE” (MTB signs)! • Please be prepared for some shallow, rocky river crossings. ROCKWOOD MOUNTAIN LODGE • After check-in, go back the way you came for a short distance. TURN RIGHT onto the first road. • At the T-Junction turn RIGHT. • CONTINUE past Farm House and Farm Cottage and up the hill for 500m. • TURN RIGHT at KARKLOOF RESERVE (EAST) / ROCKWOOD MOUNTAIN LODGE sign. • After approximately 1.6km, TURN RIGHT at the KARKLOOF RESERVE (EAST) sign (Unit 4). • Continue through indigenous forest and out onto a grassy clearing. • Follow the road for about 180m to the top of the clearing where you will find ROCKWOOD MOUNTAIN LODGE on your right. DISCLAIMER As our guest, you will have access to the reserve and surrounding farmland. Possible dangers to persons and property include, but are not limited to, unguarded rivers and dams, cliffs, waterfalls, slippery rocks, wild animals, domestic animals, timber harvesting, suspended decks, vehicle damage from farm roads, fire and flooding. Guests enter at their own risk and are asked to exercise caution. Rockwood Leisure (Pty) Ltd, Rockwood Forest Lodge, The Thomas Hancock Family Trust, Hancock Farms and other landowners whose farms you have access to, can accept no liability for any damage to property or persons, howsoever caused. Further, we reserve the right to amend the published rates without notice. All rates quoted are per unit per night, self-catering, inclusive of VAT.

Yes

No pets allowed

15:00 - 10:00