Inversanda

A country lover's haven situated in the beautiful Dargle valley

Inversanda is a country lover's haven situated in the beautiful Dargle valley in the Natal Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. We are in the privileged position of being situated right at the end of the road; a place to relax and soak up the peace and tranquility.

Visitors have truly arrived once they head off down our 2.5km driveway and see the Inhlosane mountain amphitheatre unfold in front of them, with the farm nestling in its footsteps. Ours is a very special valley - a jewel that we treasure. Children, horses and well behaved pets are very welcome.

This "off-the-beaten-track" venue is a must for those wanting silence. Inversanda is in a world of its own, hemmed in by mountains and a meander of the Umgeni River. You are encouraged to participate in their farm life as much or as little as you like! The self-catering cottage is well appointed and has a lounge with fireplace, a large full bathroom, one large twin bedded room, a second small twin bedded room, dining area with heater and kitchenette. It has its own private garden and patio. Guests have access to the upper reaches of the Umgeni River, mountain bike trails, horse riding, fishing in winter and use of the owner's swimming pool, trampoline and badminton equipment. Breakfast available on request.

The farm dates back to the 1800s and up until the late 1970s the crops were all planted and harvested with working oxen. For a period it was a dairy, however, today Herefords happily graze the lush kikuyu pastures to produce prime beef calves.

Tom and Lucinda Bate bought the property 8 years ago and brought their love of horses with them. The old dairy has recently been converted into a barn with 14 stables. Feed time is an experience that children particularly enjoy. The horses hear the rustle of feed bags and flair their nostrils and stamp their feet in anticipation. There is a commotion for a while, then a contented munching as they all bury their noses in their buckets. The majority are polo ponies, which are exercised on the hills above the farm.

The farmhouse was built to a scale more commonly found on the sugar cane estates of the North Coast. It could readily be converted into a guesthouse, however we have chosen to offer spacious and comfortable self-catering accommodation. The private wing has its own entrance and comprises a large sitting room with fireplace, dining room, kitchenette, family bedroom, twin bedroom and large verandah overlooking a magnificent view of the surrounding hills.

Enquire about accommodation at Inversanda