This post contains news items, events, and general info of interest:

1 November 2010 :  Our new reception and kiosk was opened on  1 November, and our  selection of flyfishing items for sale at the KIOSK updated. Contact Morne, 072 403 1895

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30 November 2010:  Our web site is still very much alive, and we have added some more info under accommodation, with special reference to the surrounding towns as experienced by some of our guests, local attractions, etc.  You are more than welcome to share your adventures at Treeferns with  visitors to our web site.

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30 November 2010 :  Product owners of trout facilities are required by law to have permits to stock trout in their dams. Treeferns Trout Lodge had been issued  permits for many years, and is therefore a legitimised operation in the Trout Industry.

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31 October 2010 :  A very successful flyfishing competition was held on 30 October 2010, and 185 fish were caught and released. The winners of the longest fish were Eben du Plooy and Craig Richardson, and John Hunter won the prize for the longest bag.  We thank all our sponsors for the prizes.  We are looking forward to the next one.

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The ” before ” and ” after ” of any change or development are always fascinating. So is Vlakfontein’s.

Siting of a facility is never straight forward. Things like design, cost, view, accessibility, services, etc. have to be considered. Once a decision is made and work started, there is no turning back.

I am not  claiming that Treeferns is all this, but the outcome so far is nevertheless astonishing, as the pictures try to demonstrate :

Before and soon after we started :

As it is now :  1. From the bottom looking south

2. From the top looking north

3. East elevation

These photos show the overall picture, but further it is dealt with in  phases, i.e. chalet per chalet :

Phase 1 Arum-chalet

Phase 2 Rhebuck-chalet

Phase 3 Oudekraal-chalet

Phase 4 Panorama-chalet

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he village of Waterval Boven is nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains on the fringe of the escarpment, at the foot of the southern hills. It is rich with historical sites and buildings, which belonged to the old NZASM and are now proclaim national monuments.

There is also the old ZASM Tunnel and Five Arch Bridge, as well as President Paul Kruger’s official residence where he resided in 1900 before going into exile in Europe. The Elands River Waterfall is visible from the mouth of the old Railway Tunnel.

Waterval Boven has always been a railway town. The Nederlandsche Zuid Afrikaansche Spoorweg Maatschappij railway line reached Waterval Boven in 1894, opening up a direct line from Pretoria to the port of Lourenco Marques, known as the “Easternline” or “Oosterlijn”.

Today the Oosterlijn Steam Company has preserved this dramatic piece of history in the operation of class 15F and 25NC steam locomotives, as well as the “JAN WINTERVOGEL” the last remaining NZASM steam locomotive. Vintage rail safaris run through the lush semi tropical lowveld following the course of the Elands River or up through the Mpumalanga highlands into trout country covering some of the most scenic and adventurous steam locomotive routes in Africa.

Accommodation in the town ranging from budget and backpacker to upmarket fraternity chalets.There are numerous fly fishing dams and rivers of the Waterval Boven Trout Association for the fly fishing enthusiast.

For the more adventurous the world-renowned rock climbing cliffs offer challenges to the outdoor enthusiast.

Visit us for accommodation, fun, flyfishing, bird watching, rock climbing and other adventures in the Western Middleveld!

                                                     CONFIRMATION OF RESERVATION

1.         We acknowledge receipt of your deposit of R—–, and confirm your booking of ——-chalet for —— adults + —– children, from ——– to ——–, at  R—— pers./night, children 6 – 12 years 50 %. Please report to Reception to pay the balance of your account, and to receive the keys.

2.           Weekends are from Friday 12h00 until Sunday 14h00, but confirmation of your expected time of arrival and departure will be appreciated.

3.           You will find the keys at Reception, and you can also leave it there on your departure. Included in the bunch is the key of the boomgate at the farmhouse.

4.           Breakages must be reported , and refunded as indicated.

5.            Fish must be weighed unslaughtered and paid for separately at R 50,00 p/kg. However, CAR is allowed.

6.            Firewood, ice, perishables, and flyfishing items  is for sale at the KIOSK.  A service charge of

           R 30,00 p/day is directly payable to the cleaner , if  applicable

7.            In the event of a power failure report  to  ourselves, and we will attend to it. You will find candles, matches, and a gas cooker in the cottage for such an emergency.

8.            Please read the rules, and complete the register on your arrival, and the fishing information before your departure. Please note that only flyfishing will be permitted.

9.             You visit the farm at your own risk, and we do not accept liability for any accident, casualty, illness, injury, insect- or snakebite or any damage or loss you may suffer whilst on the farm. In a case of emergency you may contact the Belfast Hospital (Tel (013) 253-1184) to see the Doctor on call.

10.          Both Vodacom and MTN have a base station on the farm. A Telkom line is also available in case of emergencies. We also have DSTV in the lapa.

11.         If you have an enquiry or a problem do not hesitate to  contact us directly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and therefore we would appreciate the completion of the feedback form before your departure.

12.        Thank you for your support, and we trust that you will enjoy your stay.