This writer found the ideal destination for a digital detox in North West. Only 20km west of the small town Magaliesburg, Dream Lodge makes for a relaxing break for travellers exploring the region.

Stephen and Sam Savage purchased the lodge in 2003. Gecko Cottage was already operational then, and Sam says she had to prepare supper for the guests on the day they took ownership of this 74ha farm, which they call Broken Hill.

With Stephen being a consulting geologist by profession and Sam a social worker and trauma counsellor, they stepped up and expanded Dream Lodge to add another cottage called Agama in 2008, with another called Chameleon opening in 2010. Sam also co-owns a restaurant and art gallery in Magaliesburg.

Accommodation

The farm is off-grid and has no electricity. One of the cottages has limited solar power for lights and charging cell phones, while the other two have no power supply. This allows guests to have a relaxing, reconnecting time away from the rest of the world. Water comes from boreholes.

Three cottages are available to guests: Agama, Gecko, and Chameleon.

Gecko and Chameleon are accessible to sedans, but for Agama one needs a high-clearance vehicle. If you do not have one, you can park at the main house and Sam will take you there with their vehicle.

The Agama and Gecko cottages have no self-catering facilities, and your stay includes dinner and breakfast that the hosts will deliver. There are coffee stations, and a flask of boiling water comes with your meals.

As there is no electricity, paraffin lamps and candles in niches in the walls provide lighting and add to a romantic ambience.

Chameleon Cottage has all the essentials for self-catering, including braai facilities, and provided meals are a paid-for option. Sam makes provision for all diets.

Farmer’s Weekly was booked into the Gecko Cottage, which allows for two persons with an inviting queen-size, extra-length bed. Meals are delivered at a time you prefer.

A fire pit with a braai grid is available from when the rainy season starts in spring until the end of May. Guests will find a large bathtub inside, as well as an outside shower. Hot water comes from a solar geyser.

A fireplace inside is ideal to warm up the cottage on cold evenings, and an elevated deck is perfect for sundowners, with a table and chairs underneath for sit-down meals. One of the features Farmer’s Weekly used often during the visit was an outside bench and table. Guests who love outside living will feel at home in this cottage.

The Agama Cottage also caters for two persons. It boasts a fireplace inside, but because of the fire risk, there are no facilities for outside fires or braais. Like at Gecko Cottage, there is a comfortable queen-size, extra-length bed.

A large bathtub inside and an outside shower are available, with hot water supplied from a solar geyser. Seating outside with views over the Magaliesberg mountains offers the ideal spot for morning coffee, meals and sundowners.

The Chameleon Cottage is a self-catering cottage for up to five guests. Solar power allows for charging of cell phones and provides lighting. Paraffin lamps and candles are also available for lighting, and there is a coal stove, a gas hob and braai facilities.

The main bedroom has a queen-size bed, also extra-length, and the bedroom that leads off the stoep has a single bed and a bunk bed. Hot water is supplied from a solar geyser.

On the farm

Guests will find Meatmaster sheep and Boer goats at Dream Lodge. Stephen applies regenerative permaculture farming principles and farms lucerne and ‘poor man’s’ lucerne. He harvests some of the lucerne to sell and keeps the remainder as fodder for the livestock.

A large vegetable garden provides most of the in-season vegetables needed for preparing meals for guests, with pumpkins and tomatoes, as well as grains planted.

Activities on offer

Guests from all the cottages may use the swimming pool at the main house, but children must be under adult supervision.

Interaction with the farm activities is a popular activity for children and they may assist in collecting eggs from the chicken coop and feeding lambs during the lambing season.
Playing on lucerne bales is something most kids will enjoy, and itching limbs afterwards add to the memories.

Energetic visitors can enjoy walking and cycling on routes of between 4km and 8km.

Wildlife

Sam tells Farmer’s Weekly that they have seen small spotted cats, caracal, serval, civet, genet, rabbits, duiker, mountain reedbuck, steenbok, kudu, nyala, warthog, jackal, various snakes and even a leguaan on the farm.

The Savages and their guests have identified more than 180 bird species on the property,
a valid reason for twitchers to book a satisfying weekend. Vultures and eagles soar the skies and secretary birds prey on the many mole rats and snakes.

Exploring The area

The small town of Magaliesburg is only 20km from Dream Lodge and offers several places for guests to eat. These include the Grotto to Gravel, Lover’s Rock Family Resort, What the Fig Food and Art Gallery, and the Black Horse Brewery & Distillery.

For those who want to be more active, facilities in the area include horse riding, hot-air balloon rides, archery, helicopter flights, quad bike riding, and spa treatments, to mention only a few.

Phone 082 620 6369 or Email [email protected].