Things to Do around Ohrigstad

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

January 5, 2021 by Michell Botha Leave a Comment

Bourke’s Luck Potholes will be the second stop on the Panorama Route (R532) if driving from the North (The Shoe). The fascinating circle like erosion caused by the water over time draws many tourists. This is a lovely spot to just sit with your feet in the ice cold mountain water and let the kids play in the water.

As all the other sites along the Panorama Route there is quite a hefty entrance fee to see the potholes. At the time of this post it is R85 per person to enter the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The reason for the heavy fee is because they provide BBQ and picnic spots free of charge. Except for the 400 meter paved stroll and two bridges that cross over the river you can also wander into the Wildlife Museum. They have some archaeological explanations of how the Potholes originated and a few stuffed birds and small prey animals on show.

There are usually a group of locals consisting of young children who do traditional dances with drums. There are also two serious walking trails that start here. Those interested in a day trail or a 6 day trail can arrange their trip from the Reception area on site. These trails are paid for extra.

Different from the other view points and stops along the Panorama the Bourke’s Luck Potholes offer a small jungle gym for the children, a small Tuck Shop and Restaurant as well as permanent shops for the locals to sell their arts and crafts. If you plan on eating and enjoying the water for a bit you can easily spend an hour or more here.

Once again look out for the local hand made magnets like these:

If you did not find them you can get all the different magnets from The Shoe.

BACK TO THE HOME PAGE

The Three Rondavels

January 5, 2021 by Michell Botha Leave a Comment

The Three Rondavels is just 20km’s from The Shoe. It is the highlight of the Panorama route.

From The Shoe which is located on the R36 Mainroad you take a short 1.5km drive North and then turn right on the R532 towards Graskop.

The R532 is the home of the Panorama route.

The Three Rondavels is located in the Blyde river Canyon on the Panorama Route.

From the view point you can see the Three Rondavels which is the three mountains shaped in the form of huts. You can also see the Blyde River and the Blyde Dam. Some say you can even see Mozambique from here on a clear day. This mountain range is the last part of the Drankensburg mountains. If you were to go towards Hoedspruit you will descend into the Lowveld.

Each view point has entry fees as well as opening hours. 8 am to 5pm

At the time of this post it was R30 per person.

You need at least a half hour to walk the view point and spend a minute or two at each of the designated lookout points. You will also find locals selling their arts and crafts. There are bathrooms but no food or drink stands. It’s a good idea to carry some water and put on sunscreen before you leave.

Lookout especially for the handmade magnets like these below:

If you were unable to find these magnets at the different view points you can get them from The Shoe. We stock all the magnets of the nearby sites.

Back to the Home page

The Shoe Guest House

A quick overview:

The Shoe Guesthouse currently has 10 Self Catering Accommodation units available.

Dr. Ron van Zyl, the builder, and founder of The Shoe Ministries built 5 of the units from local dolomite stone quarried in the mountain, the other 5 units are a large farmhouse that was renovated and divided into 5 units. A full description of each unit can be found further down on this page.

Want to skip to the pictures? Click here!

Loadshedding Provisions

With the current economic climate in South Africa, we have put effort into being self-sustainable.

We are currently running on 80% solar power during the day and 30% solar power during the night. Solar Collectors help with making hot water and boilers keep the water hot at night.

Each unit has at least 1 light and a solar-powered plug that works during Load Shedding. This enables you to keep watching TV, have the use of WiFi, a fan, and the ability to charge your phone when the power is out.

All units are equipped with gas stoves and thus cooking and making coffee will not be a problem.

We are still in the process of expanding our solar system.

Things to do at The Shoe Guest House

TV

TVs are all fitted with OVHD decoders which will provide each room with a range of open-view channels including SABC 1, 2, 3, and E-TV. We do however provide each room with 1 DSTV channel. This channel is operated from the Main House and is usually kept on a Movie channel.

Swimming

Guests have access to the outdoor cold water swimming pool, communal braai (BBQ) area for groups, and games area. (Pool table, darts, ping pong table). The Coldwater swimming pool is kept clean during summer months only, from about September to End April.

WI-FI

We are located in an area where there is nearly no cell phone coverage at all except for a little Vodacom in the Parking area. We do however offer free Wi-Fi to our guests. Due to the rock walls, the Wi-Fi signal does not penetrate into the rooms but you should be able to connect on just about every outside veranda of each unit.

FOOD

The Fully Licensed Family Day Restaurant on site is open for breakfast and Lunch throughout the day. Dinner can be arranged on order. We serve food after hours in the rooms.

VISIT THE SHOE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

Visitors can enter The Shoe and see the museum pieces of ‘The Old Lady of the Shoe’ as well as the wood carvings of Ron van Zyl and learn more about the history of the Ohrigstad Valley.

The Artist Owner, Ron van Zyl, had a vision about the spiritual world and built his vision. Today visitors can also go on a guided tour of 90 minutes in which the family will explain to you the meaning of the Cave. Learn more about the Alpha Omega Cave here.

The Gift Shop has a unique variety of handmade gifts, toys, and books.

Our Tuck shop stocks basic grocery and essential items such as wood, milk, bread, drinks, and snacks.

ROOM SERVICES

Rooms are cleaned daily without extra charge. You can opt out of this service if you choose.

Beds are made up with sheets, blankets, and Duvets. We provide one towel per person.

Swimming Pool towels are not provided.

SAFETY

The entire area is very safe. There are no covered or enclosed parking areas, but cars are parked right outside your door. We have an electric gate, and each guest is provided with an entrance and Exit Code.

MALARIA

Although we are outside the defined malaria areas, preventive government measures are taken against mosquitoes each year. All units are sprayed periodically against Mosquitoes. It is still advisable to use products against Mosquito bites such as room sprays and skin applicators. But we do not advise that you use any medication against Malaria.

CHECKING IN TIMES

Reception is located inside the Shop next to The Shoe. It is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and 9:00 am to 4 pm on Weekends and Public holidays. If you arrive after closing time you can use the intercom at the main gate to call us.

Check-in times: 12 noon to 8 pm.

Check-out time: Not later than 10 am

We do not accept any first-night check-ins after 8 pm at night. After check-in, guests can come and go as they, please.

Please be sure to keep us updated on your arrival time. As this is a privately owned Guesthouse, there is no night staff to receive Guests during the night.

HOUSE RULES

We like to keep our place as quiet and peaceful as possible and therefore we do not allow any excessive loud parties or music playing from car radios.

Music played from portable devices should be kept to a moderate volume and all noises should be kept to a minimum after 10 pm at night.

We urge guests to consider each other and the owners.

Currently, we have a NO PET policy.

As we have our own dogs and cats, other traveling animals cause great upset to them and we would prefer no animals. Our Sheepdog is particularly territorial and tends to bite and fight with other animals. But rest assured our animals are friendly to people.

PRICES

Current Prices:

R400 per person per night. (This price is based on sharing with at least one other person)

Single rooms are R480 per night.

Children between 2 and 12 years pay R200 per night if sharing with at least one Adult.

One baby under 2 years old is allowed to stay free.

All the normal rooms are charged on a per person per night rate, it does not matter which room you stay in.

Only the Newly Build Shoe House is charged on a per-unit price.

Family rooms, as well as Single rooms, are available.

Discounts apply for long stay periods. Please get a quote.

Click on the Room pictures below to view each unit.

The following video is a walk-through of the Property at The Shoe Guest House. This will give you an idea of the layout of the property and the outside spaces.