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Kate recently stayed at Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate in Machadodorp. Gooderson Kloppenheim is a wonderfully situated country estate with sweeping views and plenty of fun activities to choose from.
Kloppenheim is what I like to call an all-rounder. I can picture Kloppenheim playing host to a guys' weekend away sipping whisky and catching fish, but then I can also see it as a romantic retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's even a family vacation where the kids can enjoy horse riding, bike rides and more, while the parents recline by the pool.
After visiting the Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate near Machadadorp, Mpumalanga, I would definitely recommend it fulfilling all those scenes and as a fantastic getaway for the summer or winter months.
Just 2 hours' drive from O R Tambo in Johannesburg, the hotel offers several activities for a lover of the outdoors but also caters perfectly to someone looking to lounge by the pool or read a book while listening to the weavers build their nests.
I enjoy a bit of both so when we recently stayed there for a weekend, I was able to spend some time enjoying some of the many activities but also had a chance to unwind from everyday life.
Our adventure started as we set out on our journey from the airport until we reached a winding dirt road in our hire car. Enjoying the picturesque surroundings, we looked up to see cute brick cottages basking in the afternoon sun. We were hoping that this was our destination and lucky for us it was!
We checked in to our spacious and comfortable lakeside suite and immediately went to the patio to take in the sights and sounds along with the breath-taking view. The estate is raised up on a hill and the main hotel along with the cottages and suites surround a trout pond teeming with fish.
The estate boasts wildlife, birdlife, horses and trout. We were lucky enough to watch a fish eagle swoop in and catch a trout only for it to be chased by two grumpy Egyptian geese.
We were treated to wonderful meals at the restaurant throughout our stay, prepared by a very friendly chef who always had time to stop and chat. The highlight was our three course meal on the first night where we especially enjoyed the trout starter and the tender steaks for mains. Our stomachs were so satisfyingly full after dinner that we would have rolled down the hill had it not been for the Highveld thunderstorm outside so it became a mad dash to avoid the lightening while getting soaked in the process. Our laughter turned to relief as we reached our cosy suite where staff had provided a turn down service for us to settle in for the night.
As we only had a weekend there, we could only enjoy a few of the activities available at the hotel but that included a mountain bike ride past some more tranquil trout ponds, exploring the labyrinth, lazing by the pool and a pampering facial to round off a relaxing weekend. We would have loved to try the fly fishing and played a game of tennis but rather have too much to do than too little!
Gooderson Kloppenheim is also only 40mins from Dullstroom so on our way back to the airport we did a detour via the fly fishing capital and enjoyed a Sunday lunch at Harry's Pancakes.
We left Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate feeling happy, refreshed and relaxed. We enjoyed the friendly Highveld hospitality of the staff as well as the stunning surroundings and we were reminded of how diverse and beautiful this country really is.
To find out more about Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate and to book a weekend away in Machadodorp, click here.
