Less than 200km from Johannesburg, visitors will find Kleine Kaap Lodge, just off the R101 between Modimolle and Bela-Bela in Limpopo.

Both Ruhan Schoeman and Diha Kruger-Schoeman hail from Brakpan, Gauteng, where they attended the same school.

Kruger-Schoeman grew up learning how to host weddings and functions as a child, as her parents owned a venue in Brakpan. As children, she and her siblings used to fill all roles in the business. She still owns a scrap metal business in Brakpan and visits it once a month.

The lodge

Over the past few years, the couple has transformed this once closed-down venue into a sparkling venue for weddings and other functions, including year-end celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and conferences. It also offers accommodation for travellers and holidaymakers when no functions are taking place.

The venue stood empty for seven years before Schoeman and Kruger-Schoeman purchased it in 2021. They moved there in January 2022, and in February 2022, hosted their first wedding at this lodge.

They put a lot of effort into cleaning up the lodge, replacing broken and stolen items, and ensuring everything was operational again. Today, the couple, along with four permanent staff members and several casual workers they employ when needed, ensure everything runs smoothly when functions take place.

The 22ha property is nestled against a mountain, and has game, lush vegetation, and an abundance of birds.

Catering for everyone

Kleine Kaap Lodge is within easy reach of guests from Limpopo, Gauteng, and neighbouring provinces, and the ideal location for a wedding or other function.

Kruger-Schoeman told Farmer’s Weekly that they host weddings within a wide monetary range. With years of experience, she and her team will give advice and make suggestions to ensure they use anyone’s budget to the full to ensure their dream wedding takes place at Kleine Kaap Lodge.

Indoor and outdoor chapels make this the ideal wedding venue, as people need not plan according to the expected weather on their special day.

The venue can host 130 attendees for functions, and fewer guests for sleepovers. Kruger-Schoeman refers overflow guests to neighbouring places of accommodation, and Klein Kaap Lodge also hosts overflow guests from other venues when space is available.

A restaurant and bar are available for use by attendees during functions, with a large deck for mingling.

Kleine Kaap Lodge also offers wine pairing and wine tasting. They are distributors of Fairview Wines. Even though the restaurant and bar are only open during functions for guests, travellers guests and the public may arrange for wine-tasting sessions.

The spa area is used by brides when they get dressed for their wedding ceremonies, and if no weddings are taking place, the public are welcome to book appointments at the spa.
A swimming pool and two splash pools complete this venue.

The accomodation

Both catered and self-catering accommodation options are available at the lodge, which can accommodate 70 overnight guests.

Kruger-Schoeman booked Farmer’s Weekly into Boplaas 5, a self-catering unit.
The kitchen features a fridge and a small oven with two hot plates. There is also a large bathtub and an outside shower. The unit also has a private braai area and a covered stoep with an eating table for four.

Boplaas has six units. Units 1 to 4 sleep two to three people and have showers.
Units 5 and 6 sleep four to six people each, and have bathtubs and outside showers. All the units at Boplaas have air conditioners.

The Fairview units, attached to the main building, are not self-catering. Units 1 to 3 can each sleep up to 10 guests, and units 4 and 5 can each sleep two to four guests. These units have bathtubs and showers.

All the units at Fairview have air conditioners. Guests sleeping over in these units may use the braai facilities on the deck at the restaurant and bar if they wish.

The Moscato unit is semi-self-catering and is equipped for two guests. It has a braai, a shower, and a fan. It is private and makes for the ideal bridal suite.

The Tokara tents are self-catering and have showers only. Tents 1 and 2 can sleep four guests each, and tent 3 can sleep six guests. All the tents have fans.

The Vergelegen units are all self-catering, with units 1 and 2 equipped for two guests each, and units 3 and 4 equipped for six guests each. These units have showers and fans.

The surrounding area

Kleine Kaap Lodge is the ideal base from which guests can explore the area. A few attractions include the Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm, Adventures with Elephants, Mystic Monkeys and Feathers Wildlife Park, and the Cheetah Experience. The area also offers ziplining, paintball, golf, 4×4 routes, game drives, and hiking trails.

If you are not attending a function and want to treat yourself to a meal prepared by someone else, Kruger-Schoeman recommends Pepe’s Restaurant in Modimolle.
Una Pizza was the eatery Farmer’s Weekly decided to try, and we were not disappointed. Their pizzas are superb, and we regret not having discovered them sooner.

For more information visit kleinekaaplodge.co.za, or phone 082 448 5620.