Mush and Anita first came to Mpumalanga in 2002, we spent many a month looking for the right property to build our dream, it was by chance that we stumbled across Forest Creek. It took us two years to build our little lodge, taking as much of the natural materials available to create this lodge. We opened in 2004 with Michael & Maxine Daniel’s wedding, which was a success. Our first application for our star grading was in February 2005.
Year
Grading Percentage
We originate from Natal, and over the years we have had the opportunity to live and work in some wonderful places: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and lastly Mpumalanga.
2005
85%
2006
86%
2007
90%
2008
93%
2009
94%
2010
94%
(Grading for a 4 star lodge ranges from 85% to 94% / 95% to 100% falls under a 5 star grading.)
Some local places of interest:
LYDENBURG Which means “place of struggle”, founded in 1850 by Andries Pretorius, the Voortrekker leader. Lydenburg played an important role in Transvaal’s first attempt to find routes to Delagoa Bay and a harbour free from British influence. On 6th February 1873 alluvial (placer gold) was discovered. Gold nuggets “Emma” (765g) and “Adeliza” (737g) were discovered. Dairy products, cattle, soya beans, mealies and fruit are the main sources of farming in the area.
DULLSTROOM (62km) is known as the coldest place in South Africa and is well known to Trout fisherman in the area. Dullstroom is the only area in which elm and beech trees grow.
LONG TOM PASS is between Lydenburg and Sabie and was built in the 50’s. One of the most spectacular roads in the country and its peak of 2150m is one of the highest points reachable by highway.
SABIE (80km) About 45km East of Lydenburg, Sabie is well known for Bloekom and Fir-tree plantations. It’s got the largest man-made forest in the world.
PILGRIMS REST (80km) Different meanings: 1. “Here comes another pilgrim to rest” or 2. “This pilgrim came to rest" or 3. “Named after an Australian called Pilgrim”. In 1875 Pilgrims Rest was declared a public digging place. Gold nuggets “Lilley” (119 ounces) and “Breda” (214 ounces) were discovered. The whole town is a living museum and has been declared a national monument.
BLYDE RIVER South West from Graskop at Olifants River the Treur River joins at a remarkable geological feature, the potholes at Bourke’s Luck, which joins the Blyde River. Surrealistic rock-formations are the result of thousands of years of water erosion; just past the potholes the river plunges in one of the most spectacular canyons in Africa. On both sides the galleries sandstone ravines emerge between 600-800m above the bed of the river. These ravines are controlled through a group of three rondawel-shaped promontories, which are called the Tree Sisters or the Three Rondawels.
