Hawkshead Guest Farm offers luxury thatched rondavels at budget prices.

Situated just off the N4 highway, 15kms west of Nelspruit, Hawkshead is a convenient and tranquil base from which to explore the many attractions of the Lowveld. The scenic beauty of the Panorama route and the excitement of the Kruger National Park are all within an hour's drive.

There are also many attractions closer to home, including the Sudwala Caves and some outstanding golf courses.

Amenities at Hawkshead include a petting farm with various small animals for the children to enjoy. Because of its setting amongst rocky outcrops and indigenous vegetation, there is an abundance of bird-life. A dip in the pool provides a refreshing end to a hard day's sight-seeing, followed by a braai next to your rondavel.

There is a pottery studio on the premises if you’d like to play with clay!

Breakfast is available at a cost and dinners can be arranged during the week only.

Accommodation

Rooms
We have accommodation available in four thatched cottages and one rondavel.

Two of these, Sunbird and Kingfisher, are adjoining and have a double bed in one bedroom and three single beds, which can be used as couches in the day, in the main room. They are fully equipped for self-catering. Both have bathrooms en suite with bath and shower.

The third and fourth cottages, Bee-Eater and Flycatcher, have a lounge/kitchen with a single bed/sleeper couch and a separate bedroom with a double bed. The bathroom has a shower only.

The rondavel, Lourie, has a double bed, fridge, and tea-and coffee-making facilities. The en-suite bathroom has a shower.

Braai-places are provided for each unit and there is covered parking.

Bedding and towels are provided, but guests are requested to bring their own towels for swimming.

All rooms have TV with SABC 1, 2 , 3 and ETV.

Hawkshead now offers Hippo Lodge - ideal for sports and other groups. It has 6 twin-bedded rooms with showers en-suite and a communal kitchen, dining room and TV lounge in an adjoining cottage. There is also a double bedroom with full bathroom en-suite in the cottage for group leaders or additional accommodation, so Hippo Lodge sleeps up to 14 people. The rooms can be booked individually as well as by groups.

Activities

Besides a swimming pool, there is a games room /mini conference facility with table-tennis table, pool table, darts and satellite TV. A small but well-equipped gym is next door to the games room, and there is a basketball hoop / tennis wall and a trampoline outside.

Guests can enjoy the abundant bird-life, explore the koppie and surrounding area and also see the various domestic animals such as horses, pigs, rabbits, ducks and guinea-pigs.

How to get there
Situated just off the N4, 15kms west of Nelspruit close to Alkmaar station.

Health & Climate
Hawkshead Guest Farm is not in a malarial area and prophylactics are not required whilst staying here. However, Malaria medication is a good idea if you are carrying on to the Kruger Park or Mozambique for a stay, especially during the summer.

Summers in the Lowveld are often hot and humid, whilst the winters are very dry with fairly low temperatures (4 to 8 degrees) at night and early morning, but lovely, warm days (mid-20s). Winter is an excellent time to visit the Kruger Park because of the short grass and the lack of groundwater which means that the animals have to go to waterholes and dams to drink.