SILVER MIST RESORT A Versatile Holiday Choice

Picture this: the soft and mysterious mist of an autumn morning in the Magoebaskloof mountains, the cool air wrapping around you as you step outside your chalet at Silver Mist Resort. The valley is tranquil, the birds are just starting their songs and the mountains loom in the distance. This is a place where the pace slows and the family can fully immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings and reconnect with nature.

Silver Mist Resort offers a variety of accommodation options, with 13 chalets of which seven are located on the bank of the dam and the recently renovated supreme four- or five-sleeper chalets with two rooms and ensuite bathrooms. General Manager, Matthew Moore says, ‘whether it is the lakeside chalets with fireplaces, the supreme chalets with fireplaces and air conditioners, the tented camps or regular campsites and caravan sites, we have accommodation to suit all tastes.

The chalets are perfect for families, providing warmth and comfort during the cooler autumn evenings. For those looking for a more rustic experience, the tented camps, regular campsites and caravan sites offer a closer connection to the land, with all the essentials including good, clean ablutions provided for a simple, relaxed stay.’

The mornings are peaceful and picturesque. Mist rises off the dams, and the water lilies catch the first light of the day, their leaves glistening with dew. The three well-stocked bass dams are perfect for a morning of fishing, whether you are a seasoned angler or enthusiastic beginner. The calm of the water and the surrounding scenery create a tranquil environment for a few quiet hours at the water.

If you are ready to explore, Silver Mist has hiking trails that wind through the mountains, offering stunning views over the valley below. The cool autumn air is invigorating, and the scenery makes every step worth it. Take a break along the way, unpack a picnic basket and enjoy the peace of nature with the whole family.

For a more adventurous experience, the guided horseback riding trails let you explore the farm and get close to a variety of game. As you ride through the landscape, you might spot Rafiqi the friendly zebra or wildebeest, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck and a variety of other animals wandering by. It is an experience that the whole family can enjoy, with the gentle rhythm of the horses and the beauty of the mountains surrounding you.

For something a little different, try the treetop zipline adventure. Starting high in the pines, you will glide through the trees and take in the mountain views from a completely new perspective. It is a thrilling but safe activity that adds a bit of excitement to your time at the resort.

The resort also has a small venue at the horse arena which can accommodate up to 80 people for corporate meetings, weddings, anniversaries or birthday celebrations. The surrounding forests, Arabian horses, Alpacas and Macaws make for perfect photography.

Whether you’re visiting for some quiet downtime, an active family getaway or corporate event,  Silver Mist Resort offers a variety of activities to enjoy together. From fishing and hiking to horseback riding and ziplining, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the beauty of the mountains at this resort.

For bookings, contact Matthew Moore at 063 117 2629 or email bookings@silvermistresort.co.za.

SPRING DAYS along Cheerio Road

Spring at Cheerio Trout Fishing and Holiday Resort on Cheerio Road

Spring is a feeling. It is the stirring of something soft and fragrant in the air, the sudden flash of colour after months of green and grey, the slow exhale of winter. In Magoebaskloof, this season writes its own poetry - in petals, in birdsong and in a radiant dawn that melts into golden afternoons. If you are looking for a place to stay this spring, let your compass needle drift just off the R71 - a sho’t left at Cheerio Road and you’re on your way to a corner of ‘The Mountain’ that feels like a secret garden in full bloom.

This is not just a meandering mountain road, it is a legacy in living colour of families like the Tooleys, Thompsons, Hillarys, McMahons and Nonés who have loved and nurtured these beautiful spaces for generations.  This country road winds past farms, gardens and forest edges where wrought-iron gates and tucked-away turn-offs beckon you to turn in. If you have driven Cheerio Road in the rainy season, we salute you - it can become a mud-fest but oh, the places it takes you!

Visit THOMAC Essential Oils on Cheerio Road

You can stop at Otterholt Farm and meander along a short circular walk through various habitats including the Wolkberg Granite Grasslands.  At Otterholt, the McMahons encourage us all to live gently on this earth whether it is natural building, blacksmithing, mushroom foraging,  or booking a tour of Thomac Essential Oils.  The road forks not long after their farm. Flip a coin, rock-paper-scissors it, or follow your heart - but if you’re in the know, keep left.  This leads to the legendary Cheerio Gardens, a magical masterpiece planted by the inimitable Box Thompson, the epitome of a pioneering woman. 

Africamps at Cheerio Gardens offers glamping options so you can linger longer in the blooms

A spring stroll through Cheerio is like walking through a Monet painting: pink petal pathways under dappled light, with sunbeams swirling through branches heavy with blossom. It is romantic, nostalgic and utterly enchanting.  Africamps at Cheerio Gardens offers glamping tents nestled within this floral fantasy. Think hot tubs on private decks, panoramic views of the gardens and the call of Knysna Turacos echoing through the trees. 

Right next door, Cheerio Trout and Holiday Resort gives spring a different flavour – one with rainbow trout in the dam and the laughter of kids at the pool. Owned by Alf Noné, a true mountain stalwart, this is a purpose-built resort for families, weekenders, pensioners and couples - in fact, for anyone who wants a beautiful nature-stay. Comfortable cottages are surrounded by beautiful gardens, and a kids’ play area for the littlies.

But the journey doesn’t stop here. Sequoia Farm cottages are now in the loving hands of the Tooley clan of Zwakala fame.  While the main gardens are still transitioning into their next chapter, Meadow Cottage, tucked into its own private patch of garden, is cosy, romantic and just the spot for a tranquil Spring break-away if it is not booked for wedding guests. 

Stay at one of the many accommodation options at Zwakala River Retreat along the river.

Apart from the popular cabins along the river and the family-style cottages at Zwakala River Retreat, there’s Noka, a stylish new suite perfect for couples, and the revamped Stables, ideal for families or wedding guests relaxing after the previous night’s celebrations at Minas Art Café or Zwakala Brewery. Everything here at this beautiful place is part of the vibrant ecosystem that is the Tooley family, whose deep-rooted love for the land still blooms in every detail.

Now, if you had taken the right fork back at Cheerio Gardens, you would be visiting Wegraakbosch Organic Cheese Farm, where kids can collect warm eggs from the fields, try their hand at cow-milking and bottle-feed calves under sunny Spring skies. You can book a Ploughman’s platter under the wisteria in full bloom and enjoy farm life at its most joyful.

Pop into Wegraakbosch Organic Farm where the kids can experience farm life and you can do a cheese tour.

The beauty of Cheerio Road lies not just in its gardens, or even in its collection of comfy beds and hot tubs or trout streams. Its magic is in the people - the ones who plant, brew and welcome visitors with open hearts. It is in the layered histories, the floral legacies and the passionate people living in this beautiful place.  So if you are heading to Magoebaskloof this spring, stay a night or three at one of the wonderful accommodation venues in Magoebaskloof. Let ‘The Mountain’ woo you, one blossom at a time.

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER .... .... Zwakala River Retreat

There’s something about Zwakala River Retreat that keeps calling you back. Maybe it is the sound of the river, a rhythmic lullaby winding through the valley, shifting with the seasons. Maybe it’s the legendary beer brewed on-site, a golden elixir that somehow tastes like pure sunshine and mountain air. But if you ask anyone who has been, the true magic isn’t just in the beauty of the land or the infamous beer, it’s in the people. 

The Tooleys, the heart and soul behind Zwakala, have built something far greater than a getaway. They have created the feeling of a homecoming which welcomes everyone with an invitation to ‘come closer.’  Becca Tooley explains, ‘At Zwakala River Retreat, our family’s values shape everything we do. Connection, respect for nature and a deep love for this land influence the experiences we create. We see ourselves as custodians of this beautiful place, committed to rewilding the land and sharing its magic with others while making as little impact as possible.’

The Tooleys have been busy crafting new spaces and experiences for visitors looking for a place to reconnect to nature and each other.  Their pet-friendly, family-friendly farm cottages are perfect for those seeking rustic charm. The original Cob House remains an iconic retreat, its rustic charm inviting slow mornings and long, lazy afternoons. Legodi Cabin is a spacious riverside hideaway, The Barn has a rustic shared space and the Honey House is an intimate, sweet sanctuary. There are also five Scandinavian-style river cabins, each with an outdoor bath overlooking the Broederstroom river.  

But this autumn, Zwakala has unveiled its newest accommodation offerings: The Stables and the Noka Suite, each one thoughtfully designed to give guests a unique experience of this soulful space.  Once a home for the farm’s beloved animals, the Old Stables have undergone a transformation into accommodation combining rustic charm with modern comfort. Becca describes the newly-converted space as offering ‘two stylish and comfortable units at the heart of the farm with an open-air kitchen which invites guests to prepare meals while soaking in the sounds of the farm and enjoying the fresh country air.’ These embrace Zwakala’s signature aesthetic, blending repurposed materials with earthy textures and warm, welcoming interiors. 

If there was ever a space designed for pure indulgence, it is the Noka Suite. ‘For a truly luxurious retreat, this cabin is more than just a place to rest, it is an experience in itself,’ says Becca.  ‘Inspired by our vision of a serene riverside escape, Noka Suite embodies an apothecary-inspired design, weaving together cedar wood accents sourced from a local sawmill and natural textures that mirror the beauty of our surroundings. With large windows framing the gentle flow of the river and thoughtful touches that invite rest and rejuvenation, the Noka Suite offers a sanctuary where nature and comfort blend effortlessly.’  

‘This retreat is a cocoon where time slows down and the only real decision to make is whether to soak in the views from bed or the bath-for-two outside on the deck with the mesmerising flow of the river to restore your soul.  Once a playful torrent in summer, it takes on a quieter, more introspective mood. The water slows, turning into a mirror that reflects the copper and gold hues of the changing trees against a sky so blue it almost doesn’t seem real. The illusion holds, until a single leaf tumbles into the water, sending ripples through the glassy surface -  a reminder that even in stillness, life moves forward. It is easy to lose yourself in this dreamlike setting, to feel as though you’ve stepped into a world where time moves at its own gentle pace.’

Of course, Zwakala River Retreat isn’t just about where you sleep, it is about how you spend your days and experience the space.  Here, mornings can begin with a stroll along the meandering river where the world seems dew-kissed and quiet, broken only by birdsong. Some brave souls may take a plunge into the icy river, emerging breathless, wide-eyed and feeling utterly alive. Evenings call for a cold pint of Zwakala’s award-winning beers from the on-site microbrewery and a delicious meal around the braai fire, where conversations stretch long into the night. Becca believes that ‘every moment here is a chance to slow down, reconnect and soak in the beauty of nature … we can’t wait to welcome you.’

Whether you stay for the weekend or come back to experience each new season, one thing is for certain, you will leave with your heart a little fuller and your spirit restored. And just like the river, you will find yourself winding back here again and again. Book your stay, bring your sense of adventure, and come see for yourself why Zwakala River Retreat is more than just an escape - it is a home waiting to welcome you.

Connect on 073 113 9969 | zwakala@tooley.co.za | www.zwakalariverretreat.co.za