Dusk to Dawn

Dusk to Dawn is a spacious country guesthouse in the most southern tip of Mpumalanga - the place of the rising sun. Johann and Gudrun Engelbrecht have turned their family home into a friendly and welcoming half-way stop for tourists and visitors en route on the N2 from the Kruger National Park or Gauteng to the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Coast or vice versa.

The Engelbrechts are fifth generation descendants of German Missionaries who settled in this area in 1870 and German is still spoken at home.

Dusk to Dawn has been a Finalist in the AA Accommodation Awards for several years and was the Winner in the Farm Accommodation Category for the year 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and therewith entering the Hall of Fame in 2010. Dusk to Dawn also features the AA Superior Grading Endorsement. Furthermore Dusk to Dawn is a regular feature in the Portfolio Bed and Breakfast Collection. We have been awarded the Tourism Grading Council 4 star award.

A full English and Continental breakfast is served in the beautiful dining room or on the verandah with a stunning view onto the large garden and the wide open spaces of this well managed 1800 ha farm.

Dinners are available on request by prior arrangement. Farm fresh produce is used to create dishes with love and care which makes dining at Dusk to Dawn an unforgettable experience. Dusk to Dawn dinners have earned a reputation where good quality ingredients get the respect they deserve by turning them into fabulous meals.

Farm Activities:
Dusk to Dawn is situated on an attractive farm, 1800 ha in extent, with a variety of farming activities. These include: a large modern piggery, dairy, beef farming, maize and timber. Viewing of these different activities is possible by arrangement.
For children the garden is an absolute amusement park featuring a solar heated swimming pool, tree house with adjoining jungle gym and hammock, pony rides in the garden and mini golf.

"Johnny`s Arc" offers kids an opportunity to get into close contact with a large variety of farm animals such as chicken, ducks, geese, peacocks, sheep and goats.

Birding:
Dusk to Dawn has been registered as a "Birder Friendly Establishment" by Bird Life South Africa. Walks on the farm will offer the keen birder on opportunity to see some of the more than 160 bird species frequenting this farm. Four different walks are marked through lush pastures and grazing cattle leading to 3 different bird hides.

Craft Shop:
The Craft Shop offers hand-embroidered items made by Zulu women on the farm, beadwork and other local crafts. Also on offer are mixed media paintings by Irma Filter, winner of the "Winsor & Newton" Award 2001 and other artists from the Beyond Art Studio.

Battlefields:
Relive the early settler life of the German Mission Families in the "Disputed Territory" of the mid-nineteenth Century as told by Johann Engelbrecht, GBG Tour Guide. Visit battlefields of the area and gain from his extensive knowledge of the people, history and natural features of this often neglected jewel of South African Country places.

Day Tours: Laneburg, eNtombe, Khambula, Hlobane
Booking in advance is essential!

In the area:
Furthermore, Dusk to Dawn is within easy reach of some of the Northern Natal Battlefields, Itala or Mkuze Game Reserve or even for a day visit to the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Accommodation:
Barbets Corner
This quaint cottage is named after the pair of Black-collared Barbets nesting in the African Flame tree next to the cottage.

Barbets Corner is a fully serviced self-catering cottage joining the main farm house. The cottage has its own lounge, with fireplace for those cold winter evenings and an open plan kitchen. 2 en-suite bedrooms, one with queen size bed (bathroom with bath and shower) and one with double bed (bathroom with shower only). The cottage has a private garden with gazebo and braai (barbeque) facilities.

Egrets View
The family suite on the first floor of the family house consists of a spacious bedroom with queen size bed, en-suite bathroom with Jacuzzi and a massive lounge with sleeping facilities for children.

From the balcony a magnificent view, shared with the cattle egrets on the roof, unfolds to give a birds eye view of the evergreen garden and the peaceful movements of the farm animals in the distant fields.

Sunbirds View
This double room is named after the Black Sunbird frequenting the Weeping Boer Bean Tree when in full bloom in front of the private entrance of the en-suite bedroom. The spacious room has a queen-size bed. The bathroom has a bath and a shower.

Hadedas Nest
A cosy en-suite twin room with shower, toilet and basin is named after the flocks of Hadeda Ibis roosting and nesting in the giant Wild Fig Tree in the lush sub-tropical garden in front of the private entrance.

Bald Ibis Roost
This brand new executive, free-standing cottage with sweeping views of a farm dam and green pastures, is named after the rare Bald Ibis, often see in the pastures below the cottage.

The cottage is self-contained with a fully-fitted, open-plan kitchen leading to the lounge area and the master bedroom. The master bedroom boasts its own large bathroom and patio while the airy loft upstairs hosts twin beds, its own bathroom and breath-taking views. Bald Ibis Roost is wonderfully suited to families traveling together or couples that wish to enjoy the luxury of space and privacy.

Oxpecker`s Hide
Our second executive, free-standing cottage is named after the busy Oxpecker, often seen keeping vigil on the backs of the beef cattle on the farm. The cottage has a fully-fitted, open-plan kitchen leading to the lounge and master bedroom. The master bedroom enjoys its own large bathroom and patio. The second bedroom is located in the airy loft upstairs and has twin beds, its own bathroom and postcard views. Oxpeckers Hide is wonderfully suited to families travelling together or couples that wish to enjoy the luxury of space and privacy.