The best journeys are those that take their own time. They brazenly snatch time from our hands and with care free spirit giggle at us as we marvel at its youthful exuberance and daring. Gunyatoo gladly reveals such moments.
Placed restfully in Rhenosterbroek, 40 kilometres away from Nelspruit resting nestled between Sabie and Lydenburg, on the lush Long Tom Pass, Gunyatoo rests on the back of the stone clad giant that scaled the steep mountain pass in search of a quiet retreat, and rested its head on the misty hills.
Find peace and tranquillity at Gunyatoo.
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As is often the case with all beautiful things, this place is a hidden beauty, great for retreat seeking tourists, getting to it is as much a test of commitment as it is of an inclination towards unexpected adventure. The road is bumpy for several kilometres, tall man made trees populate a dense and thick forest, speaking in hushed tones as one moves past. One immediately feels like Alice, lost in a Wonderland where the trees dare reach out to snuff out the belligerent sun.
The main house stands beautifully, once you have navigated the bumps and is a sweet reward. Its stone-faced frontal exterior welcoming and homely.
Gunyatoo holds varied accommodation options. Ranging from the thatch and stone lodge which offers food to its inhabitants to the self-catering options which include a four sleeper family cottage, a six-sleeper log cabin and a lovely honeymoon studio. Any visitor here is absolutely spoilt for choice in terms of accommodation.
Trout fishing is obviously not to be missed on one’s visit here, as it is a trout farm, but I would dare any visitor to go outside the gates of the farm and like Alice get lost in the forest wonderland – it’s absolutely worth it! Quad biking, horse riding and gorge swinging is offered on request. But do take the horses!
Gunyatoo is close to various tourist attractions around the Sabie and Lydenburg areas, including the Kruger National Park and Sudwala Caves among others.
We awoke, thoroughly rested from our cabin, to the loud gallops outside. Being in a place seemingly shrouded in magical mystery, we had hoped African unicorns, kitted in zebra stripes had assembled outside, a phenomenal end to a great night stay! To our comical disappointment, these were only the two horse-sized great Danes that belonged to the owner, Debbie.
There is a mystical mist engulfing the area as we leave, the trees whisper to each other, and we realise that we still have not gone fishing. There is plenty to do and see here. Book well in advance and book long!
*This story was written by a TWNA journalist, Sihle Sibande for My Mpumalanga. For more, follow the link: http://mympumalanga.co.za/gunyatoo-a-trout-and-misty-hill-journey/