Zimbete Country House is situated just over an hour away from the bustling city of Durban and about 20 minutes away from the Port of Richard's Bay. This gracious country home has been in the Nicolson family for three generations, and nestles in a magnificent tropical garden filled with indigenous plants and at least 130 species of birds.

Zimbete Country House is well renowned for its hospitality and your four hosts Andrew, Annie, Jonty and his girlfriend, Tanya, welcome you to their country house. As descendants of the original Settler families of Natal, the Nicolsons delight in sharing with one, their wealth of local knowledge and invite you to browse their library which has a valuable collection of historical, South African books.

Food is of the utmost importance at Zimbete, with its head, gourmet chef, Jonty Nicolson, well known for his unique flavour-filled style and artistic flare! Employing all the fresh produce grown on the farm, Jonty’s cooking is made ever more special. Guests dine in the new, elegant restaurant and bar area as well as outside in the traditional African, outside Boma, where romantic dinners can be held under the African starts and many a glass of wine has been enjoyed around the fire

AT A GLANCE

• Accommodation - 5 luxuriously appointed, air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms
• Individually furnished and reflects the graciousness of colonial living
• Swimming pool
• Lounge
• air-conditioned wine cellar houses an exciting selection of Cape Wines
• Conference facilities
• Elegant restaurant
• Bar

Accommodation: - Zimbete Country House is situated on a sugar and macadamia nut farm, adjoining the quaint mill village of Felixton. Guests are accommodated in the original farmhouse, which has 5 luxuriously appointed, air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms. Each room is individually furnished, and reflects the graciousness of colonial living. Personalised service will ensure that guests will be served with refreshments whilst lounging around the swimming pool, or reading in the comfort of the lounge area.

An air-conditioned wine cellar houses an exciting selection of Cape Wines - read about the various wine estates and the wines they produce, in the monthly magazines and books, which are provided for your enjoyment and enlightenment.

Conference facilities are available, and delicious meals are provided for delegates should they require them.

Activities: -Enjoy game drives or guided walks in Zululand's internationally recognised game reserves. These vast, rugged areas of unspoiled indigenous bush support a profusion of wildlife including the Big Five, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Giraffe and many species of buck. Just one hour away from Zimbete Country House are the Umfolozi and Hluhluwe Reserves, the oldest proclaimed Game Reserves in South Africa.

Wilderness hiking trails and well known camps abound in this area, This is a birders' paradise for those twitchers on the lookout for a variety of species including Eagles, Kingfisher, Fish Eagles, Palmnut Vultures, Storks, Spoonbills and many others. A birding route has been established in Zululand where different habitats have been identified which support over 400 species, and experienced Birders are available to give advice or act as guides.

Dive the coral reefs of Sodwana in Maputaland and experience a magical underwater world teeming with vividly coloured tropical fish, turtles, corals and whale sharks.

Take the most remarkable walk along South Africa’s only aerial boardwalk within the enchanting Dlinza Forest in Eshowe. Experience this unique 250ha indigenous, coastal scarp forest from a birds eye point of view.

For day trips guests can enjoy the unspoiled beach and magnificent lagoon of Mtunzini just 15 minutes from Zimbete. Richards Bay, just down the road has a great Tuzi Gazi Waterfront with restaurants and bars to enjoy. The boat tours at St Lucia are truly something special where guests have spotted hippo, crocodile and a profusion of water-birds, at only 45 minutes drive from Zimbete.

Visit Battlefields Sites, Forts and Museums commemorating the historical events that shaped Zululand and South Africa. Trips can be arranged to Isandlwana or Rorke's Drift for a better understanding of the Zulu War.