Mbizane Escarpment Retreat is a Luxury Tented Camp in the Escarpment in the Schoemanskloof valley, with restaurant facilities and on-site activities.
LIVE INSIDE NATURE IN ELEVATED LUXURY
Mbizane is a private nature conservancy straddling the Lowveld escarpment in the highest reaches of the Schoemanskloof valley, Mpumalanga. Mbizane’s boundaries are its natural features - its rivers, cliffs and ravines, its dense vegetation and the surrounding nature reserves.The extraordinary beauty of Mbizane’s cliffs and of the escarpment ensured Mbizane’s inclusion on the Register of Natural Heritage Sites, for having “highly significant natural features and objects, and to be essential to the preservation of South Africa’s natural diversity.”
Experience living at Mbizane inside the heart of nature, on the bank of a pristine cold mountain stream in virgin riverine forest, dwarfed by the vertical cliffs above. Enjoy all-round magnificent views of the surrounding cliffs, hear the variety of bird calls echoing off the cliffs above the cobbling of the stream, and marvel at the beauty of the nature surrounding you from the privacy and comfort of your forested luxury tent deck.
Self-Catering Luxury Tents in Schoemanskloof
There are five private elevated deck tents, each situated at a unique position along the stream and having a unique view of the awe-inspiring cliffs. The identically-furnished tents are designed to provide stylish self-catered living with modern amenities and comforts, inside nature. The deck tents each sleep two adult persons, with a spacious lounge, dining and kitchen area, a bedroom and open plan bathroom with bath, basin, shower and closed toilet.
A camping cot or camping bed can additionally be provided in the tents for children. With large balconies on either side and with the tent flaps up, your living area extends to the whole deck. From the comfort, convenience and privacy of your deck you will experience and truly feel part of the stunning nature around you, day and night. The elegant décor in the lounge is complimented by a modern, well-equipped self-catering kitchen and cooking area, providing the ideal setting for you to cook up and enjoy something special at this unique venue.
The bedroom comes with an extra-length king size bed (with electric blanket and mosquito net), desk and reading light. Heaters, a safe and a hairdryer are standard in every tent. The deck tents are functional, yet stylish, and very spacious. The tents are fresh and airy, being naturally ventilated and electrically heated (no aircon). Remember to pack warm clothes, especially in cooler months when the Highveld air slips down the escarpment.
What we offer:
Restaurant:
Join us for breakfast on the restaurant deck or order lunch and dinner a la carte. Book your spot at The Hive in advance as we only carry the necessary stock to minimise food waste. We also do Picnic Baskets as well as Breakfast Baskets to be delivered to your tent. Booking in advance for these items is essential.
Lookout towers:
There are two multi-level lookout towers, ideal for observing and photographing the remarkable cliffs, the thick forest, and the vivid birdlife around you with a 360° view, from different levels.
Plunge pool:
Slide into the pool at the reception deck for a refreshing dip, feeling the hot Lowveld sun on your body. Or catch your shower up the lookout tower!
Wi-fi is available at all the deck tents, at the Nest, and at the Lounge deck. There is no cell phone signal at Mbizane due to our secluded location and extreme topography. Mobile calls can only be made from the high ground on the escarpment above.
Helipad:
Arrive in style by helicopter and land at Mbizane’s helipad, where we will be waiting to drive you to your tents.
Water in the taps is safe to drink, but bottled water is provided in all the tents.
Activities at Mbizane Escarpment Retreat in Schoemanskloof
Birding
Mbizane is a birder’s dream. You will be birding - whether you are walking, driving on the scarp face, looking out from the two lookout towers or just relaxing on your deck. Expect sightings of narina trogon, Knysna loerie, purple-crested loerie, Verreaux’s eagle, crowned eagle, tambourine doves and other bird species specific to Mbizane’s afromontane forest escarpment habitat.
Hiking Trails
There are a myriad of walks and trails through afromontane forest on the Mbizane escarpment. The routes range from leisurely strolls along the mountain stream between vertical cliffs to walking up a ravine under a forest canopy along a clear stream up to a waterfall, to hiking the road up to Mbizane’s high ground above the escarpment, to following paths at the foot of the cliffs and on the scarp face above. There are also several trails and paths leading up, along and around the cliffs, both at their base and atop. The trails offer amazing views of the different cliffs and the escarpment from different levels and at different angles. If you would like guide to accompany you you are welcome to book a guided hike at reception for R250 per hike.
Scarp Face Drives
Join us daily for a nature drive in a specialised Polaris vehicle up a ravine to the plateau on the escarpment above. We follow the scarp face in different directions and along various routes to the next plateau, offering spectacular views of the opposite cliffs, a waterfall and the densely forested valley below.
In addition to showing you Mbizane’s exquisite, pristine nature, we pass by an old Anglo-Boer War fort, a Boer house being reclaimed by nature, a British lookout outpost and a small dam where kudu and bushbuck usually converge for a drink - where we do likewise! R350 per person, max 4 people per trip.
Picnics
Book a relaxing picnic under the surrounding river Bushwillow and White-Stinkwood trees along with great eats and treats. We will set up the picnic area and put together a delicious picnic basket for you and your partner. To see what's in the basket, look at the bottom of our menu located on the restaurant tab or download the menu here THE HIVE MENU. Read that book you have been dying to finish or just soak up all of the pristine sounds that nature has to offer. Be sure to book your luxury picnic basket well in advance through our website. R500 per couple.
Horse Riding
By prior arrangement an outride can be facilitated off-site. From novices to experienced riders, anyone is welcome. The trek is through lush vegetation with wildlife sightings along the way.
A memorable experience indeed!
Cost: From R550 per person for an hour outride. Please note that this is a half day excursion off-site and the horse riding is done through a third party and we can only assist you in making the booking. There is a weight limitation of 100kg pp.
Climbing
Mbizane offers excellent climbing up its numerous vertical scarp faces. The rock is of top quality, and “clean” for climbing. There are several caves and crevices in the cliffs waiting to be explored by climbers – including a natural tunnel high up in one cliff that leads right through the cliff!
Swimming
One of the highlights at Mbizane is that you can swim in the river right in front of your tent, as long as you can brave the cold. The Nest also has two private pools and there is a communal pool at the restaurant area open to everyone.
Mountain Biking
Mbizane offers various routes and paths for MTB through the forest, along streams, up ravines, along the scarp face and on the plateaus. Be sure to bring your bike along!
Schoemanskloof Restaurant at Mbizane - The Hive
We offer a variety of delicious and locally sourced meals, all prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. We are committed to using sustainable and ethical practices in our kitchen, and we source our ingredients from local farmers and suppliers wherever possible. We also compost all our food waste and cook with fire where we can, instead of using electricity. We believe food is a way to connect with people and with the land, and we are passionate about providing our guests with a dining experience that is both delicious and sustainable.
Join us for breakfast on the restaurant deck or order lunch and dinner a la carte. Book your spot at The Hive in advance as we only carry the necessary stock to minimise food waste. We also do Picnic Baskets, and set up, as well as Breakfast Baskets to be delivered to your tent. Booking in advance for these items is essential.
Kindly note that we are not licenced and do not sell alcohol on our premises. You are, however, welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages to the restaurant deck. No corkage fee will be charged.
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