Cradle Moon Lake — Attraction in Mogale City Local Municipality

Signs of winter are all around us. The sun rises later, and it’s much cooler in the mornings. I’m on my way to the Muldersdrif area. It’s about an hour's drive from Centurion.

When I left home, it was still dark. This morning, I planned to start early, and I like to be earlier than usual just in case I get lost or if parking might be a problem.

The venue for today's hike was Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge. I’m here for a hike. It was my second time at the venue. The first time, I guided a few friends on a hike, and now I am here with a hiking club.

The main parking area is next to the shop, where you pay your conservation fee and hike. The cost was R100 pp.

We hiked just under 9 km, gaining 211 meters in elevation, and it took us 3.5 hours to complete.

The trail loops around the lake. It’s mostly open, with some of it covered by trees. This was not a problem as the morning was mostly clouded.

Towards the midway point, we explored deteriorating pumps and farmhouse buildings, which provided good photography opportunities.

Afterwards, we made a steep ascent and gradually descended towards the reception area, where we started.

Towards the trail's end, we encountered Zebras relaxing between the lodges and Impalas grazing. The walkways are open and well-marked, so we could easily find our way.

It was a cool morning with birds chirping in the background.

The highlight of the hike was the dam wall. The view, sound, and spray were an experience. We spent some time here taking it all in, and it also made for some good photography opportunities.

The venue is not pet-friendly, which makes sense as it’s a game lodge. However, they do offer mountain bike trails, game drives, paddling, fly fishing, and swimming.

I recall seeing someone flyfishing, and you can also rent a canoe. It’s a unique way to explore via the lake.

After your hike, if you are looking for a cold one and something to eat, there is a restaurant on site that caters to all palates.

My overall experience of the venue was positive. Everything they offer on site, from the hike and additional activities to the wildlife, dam wall, and restaurant, is positive.

The negative aspect of the venue is how busy it gets. This venue is very popular, and it gets busy, with lots of people buzzing around, hiking and biking.

I also noticed the restaurant was packed at mid-day. So, if you are planning a visit, it’s best to be early.

That is it for a brief review. I hope this inspires you to visit Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge. For more things worth doing and places worth seeing. Check out...

I did the 10km trail at Cradle Moon, and honestly, I don’t know if I’ll enjoy another hike as much as this one. For me, this was the experience. There could be better hikes out there, but right now, my mind is completely captivated by this one.

From the moment you drive in, the scenery takes your breath away. Starting the hike, you’re greeted by game. I spotted zebras, and it’s such an exciting start. You don’t have to walk far before you’re rewarded with the sight of the lake, which is absolutely stunning.

The trail itself is gorgeous and varied. It starts off easy but gradually becomes more challenging as you go. By the halfway point, it gets a bit intense, and toward the end, very intense, but the payoff is worth every step. The highlight is the breathtaking waterfall at the end, which is simply incredible.

After the hike, we had breakfast by the lake at the on-site restaurant, which boasts equally stunning views. There’s so much more to do here, and kayaking is definitely on my list for next time.

The only thing holding me back from repeating this hike is that I don’t like doing the same trail twice and prefer shorter distances, but Cradle Moon truly delivered an exceptional hiking experience. From the views to the trails to the atmosphere, everything is a 10/10....

I had a very bad experience with a waiter at the restaurant by the river. I came to have Sunday (08/08/21) lunch with my wife and two daughters. The waiter that served us took us to the table and gave us menus. He then disappeared for an hour. When I asked why he took so long he told that he has 6 tables to serve (which was not our problem). He took our orders and we waited for an hour. We started observing that he was serving people who came after us. It took another hour for him to bring us the food and drinks. When we started asking questions, another waiter started to get personal telling me that I deserve this, because we decided to sit on the table on our own. Two other customers also had the same experience and complained about this waiter's treatment. They also vocalised their own bad experience with the same waiter, who was rude to both of them on two separate incidents. We then requested to see the manager, and were told that the manager was not available. A couple of minutes later the manager came, and we did not see him addressing the waiter's mannerism. Cradle Moon Lake is a good and a beautiful place to relax but it lacks a good customer service and a strong leadership at the restaurant...