New Holme Nature Lodge — Hotel in Emthanjeni Local Municipality

This review is relatively objective being my 18th annual road road trip encompassing 17 properties over a 37 day period.||I stayed for 2 nights solo March.||Easily found from the N1 along a decent gravel road.||My second visit, which tells a story in itself.||As previously, friendly, helpful owners (family run) and staff throughout.||Lovely rural old school property which offers all modern amenities whilst retaining it’s character.||My room in the ‘stables’ was large enough, clean, comfortable and well equipped with a sitting out patio area. ||There was a storm related power outage, but the recently installed solar array coped well.||Excellent food - with low numbers staying during my visit, excellent tasty meals were cooked/served individually - when larger numbers are staying an excellent hot buffet spread is offered.||Lovely walks alongside the dam lake. A night ‘silent five’ drive didn’t spot many of them, but that’s the luck of the draw - it’s not a zoo!||Another excellent visit - this really is an accommodation option on the N1 even for an en route night stop but perfect for a very pleasant and relaxing...

⭐️ (1/5)

I was really looking forward to my stay at New Holme Nature Reserve after making a booking and paying in full for a night’s sleepover between Johannesburg and Cape Town. However, my experience was extremely disappointing.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a locked gate and no sign of staff to assist us. We tried calling the number provided multiple times, but there was no answer. Frustrated, we reached out to the booking company for help, but after 30 minutes of waiting, we still had no resolution.

With no other options, we had to leave and head towards Hanover, where we were fortunate enough to find a room at 8:15 PM. It’s disheartening to have planned a relaxing stop only to be met with such poor service and communication. I expected better. I hope they can improve their customer service...

What an experience! Not just a stay over. We stayed for two nights, and wished we stayed longer. The hospitality of PC and his lovely wife was just out of this world. Real "Boere" hospitality, with the best traditional "Boerekos" dinner ever. The food was delicious and plenty. Starters and desserts were something from the fanciest Sandton restaurants (but with a destinct "Boere-farm" twist). The main meal was absolutely my grandmother's food. It brought back so many memories. Food I have not tasted in years. My daughter spent the whole day playing with the other girls on the farm. The were feeding the animals (little lambs, a calf and bunnys). They even had the most adorable "hans" meerkat that they saved from drowning in the dam. We had a great day! I definitely recommend a stay...