Moolmanshoek

Moolmanshoek Guest House accommodation in Ficksburg Free State

Description

A special place for that fairytale wedding or break-away you have been promising the family. A private nature reserve of over 3 500 hectares, Moolmanshoek was developed from a conservation area into a natural heritage site. It is situated in the district of Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State at the foot of the Witteberge. Enjoy the rich wild- and birdlife or experience the hiking trails on and around the farm. Fishing in the clear spring water or experiencing breathtaking views from horseback are but few of the activities available on the farm. For the adventure lovers there is the Visierskerf 4 x 4 Eco-Route and a variety of hiking trails. Steeped in rich history dating from before the Great Trek, the farm is skillfully managed by its friendly staff.

It is our privilege to be stewards of more than 3 000 hectares of the breathtaking Moolmanshoek valley. This valley lies in a horseshoe formed by the Witteberg mountains (2 410 m above sea level) that feeds several mountain streams in the valley floor below. The water decends to a grassy valley of underbrush that accomodates over 230 bird species. The basin itself is home to a variety of Plains Game that include Springbuck, Black Wildebeest, Blesbuck, Zebra, Ostrich and many other that are historically indigenous to the area.

Use one of our "kieries" for a leisurely stroll across the valley floor or go on a relaxing ride by horse cart or on horseback. Our SA Boerperd and Endurance Arab horses are born and bred in the valley and more than 200 make Moolmanshoek their home.

The reserve was declared a National Heritage Site (#199) in 1994, mainly because of the rare African Bamboo that grows in the valley.

It is our hope the the uniqueness and character of our surroundings will be as inspring to you as it has always been to us.

 Do you long to escape for a while from city noise and stress. Are you seeking that unique environment, ideal for team building, a work session or conference? Or do you want a fairy tale wedding?

Visit our guest farm in the mountains and revel in the breathtaking natural beauty and the unspoiled rich variety of bird - and wild-life. Follow one of the four hiking trails on the wild-life farm, and become physically tired but mentally refreshed. Enjoy fly-fishing in the clear spring water, or experience nature on horseback, viewing the 3 500 ha private nature reserve.

Under the skilled hands of the current owner, Willie Nel, the farm was developed from a conservation area into a natural heritage site NR 199. The Department of Environmental Affairs of the Free Sate, declared Moolmanshoek a Nature Reserve.

The Moolman’s from Graaf Reinett came to live at Moolmanshoek in 1829. The Moolman’s had discovered the valley on hunting trips made earlier from their temporary home in the South Eastern Free State. Because of the severe drought in the colony. The original Moolman farm covered almost the whole valley, approximately 8000 morgue. The farm was later divided between the four sons. In June 1869 the first maps of the farm were drawn by KJ de Kok. The owners at that time were:

• AJ Moolman (Andries Johannes)
• JL Moolman
• CL Moolman (Christaan Lodewikus) † Ficksburg Married – Maria Amerentia Cronje
• PL Moolmanshoek (Petrus Lafras) Married to Isabella Elsie Georgina Moolman

The sons who later inherited the top part of the valley, known today as Moolmanshoek, put it up for sale when their father past away in 1904. A certain Thomas Mitchell, well known businessman and farmer of the area, bought Moolmanshoek for his 17 year old son Ernst on 11 June 1905. Ernst later on married Dora Musgrave. The two of them built the main sandstone house from 1928-1933 at the cost of £8000. At the time of the sale the owners were

• Petrus Lafras Moolman Jr
• Barend Daniel Moolman
• Johannes Zacharias Moolman
• Andries Johannes Moolman

Ernst died in 1956. For the next five years Moolmanshoek was leased to a Mr Muller before it was auctioned of before the bank in Ficksburg. Mr Hendrik Erasmus (married to Hester du Plessis) from Hofmeyer was the highest bidder. Since the offer was to low, an agreement was made where by Mr Erasmus could rent the farm (for a maximum of ten years) with the option to buy the land. After renting the farm for seven years, he bought Moolmanshoek in 1968.

Hendrik and Hester had only one child, a daughter named Miemie. She married Willie Nel from Smithfield in March 1972. The couple moved to Moolmanshoek in 1973. In 1980, Willie bought Moolmanshoek from his father in law, in doing so becoming the fourth owner of Moolmanshoek. It was under Willie and Miemie’s stewardship that Moolmanshoek was transformed to the natural beauty that it is today. They have three children, Hester, Isabel and Wiesman.

Accommodation

Contact Details Moolmanshoek 051 933 2220 051 933 2444 Enquire now View Rates View Directions

Attractions

Activities

• Game Drives
• Night Game Drives
• Fly-Fishing and Fishing
• Abseiling
• High Ropes course
• General Hiking
• Moolmanshoek Hiking Trails
• 4X4 Scenery trips
• Mountain Biking
• Meerkat experience
• Horse riding experience

Game Drives

Accompanied by guides, guests are likely to encounter the following wildlife at close range in our mini Serengeti. Black Wildebeest, Zebra, Springbuck, Bless Buck, Mountain Reedbuck, Steen Buck, Duiker, Fellow Deer, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Oryx, and Ostrich.

Under the beautiful Free State night sky you can experience the nightlife on the reserve such as Porcupine, Hare, Spring hare and Jackal etc. (Min of 4 people, 1-2 hours)

Fly-Fishing and Fishing

Catch and release. Enjoy fishing in natural spring water. There are black bass and carp dams. Bring your own rod.

Abseiling

Sandstone cliffs for the ulitmate abseil experience. Heights vary from 20m to 40m, (minimum of 4 people).

High Rope course.

For the more adventurous we have a high rope course, ( minimum of 4 people).

General Hiking

There is a total of 67 km of hiking trails on the Reserve, mostly in the mountains. Otherwise take a 'kierie' and stroll through the hundreds of plains game in the Serengeti.

• Gorge Hiking: Enjoy the sandstone gorge at its best, with refreshing experience under a spring waterfall. Alternatively, the Seven Pools gorge is a remarkable experience. This can't be beaten!
• Mountain Climbing: If you want to take advantage of the Mountains, the opportunities are here! Go and see the view from Visierskerf (2407m), Sekonjella's Hoed or the First Pyramid.
• "Kloof klouter:" Slip and slide in the gorge. Perfect for the more active team building groups.

Moolmanshoek Hiking Trails

Out There Magazine, rated top 10 2001. There are 3 hiking trails namely:

• Waterkloof - Bundu route 2-3 days, 10.5 km/day. Sleeping facilities for 20 hikers.
• Spinx - Comfortable 2 day route. Day 1 - 10.3 km; Day 2 -6 km. Sleeping facilities for 20 hikers.
• Langesnek - Luxury route - Circle 8 Route. Route A - 10.5 km
• Contact Jacana for hiking reservations : 011 656-0606 or info@jacanacollection.co.za

4X4 Scenery trips

'Drive out' magazine Roll of honour - Top 10 winner (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006).

Enjoy the Reserve in a 4x4 accompanied by a qualified driver or a guide on horseback. Minimum of 4 people.

There are 4 routes namely: Langesnek Route, Visierskerf / Kloof, Kiepersol Garden, Suikerhoek. The route can comfortably be done over a weekend, showing a different aspect of the reserve. Experience the sandstone splendour at its best. Recommended time of year, all year around. Minimum of 3 vehicles, maximum of 15 except for Lodge guests. Route direction towards Fouriesburg (35 km). Route Distance: 50 km. Grading: moderate to difficult.

• Visierskerf / Kloof - 20 km, 4-5 hours.
  Passing under the Witteberg overhang, the track enters an area that was discovered in 1992. After viewing the greater valley area, with its Suikerbosse and indigenous bush, the route crosses the Nature Reserve. Black Wildebeest, Porcupine, Zebra, Blesbok, Ostrich, Steenbok, Duiker, Fellow Deer, Springbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest and Mountain Ribbok can be seen in the reserve. Further along the route, remnants of the old wagon trail, near Fouriesburg, can still be seen. The return route offers some interesting kloofs before returning to base-camp. This trail is a bird watcher's paradise.
• Langesnek Route - 10 km, 2-3 hours.
  The Langesnek trail starts of by traversing a wetland area, over rock plates and then a short, steep, rough climb to the plateau, where panoramic views of the surrounding mountains can be seen. Alternating grasslands and rock plates lead through an almost lunar landscape, where drivers can pit their skills against the solid rock in preparation for the extremely steep decent, leading back to the flatter areas.
• Kiepersol Garden - 8 km, 2-3 hours. Tracks over sandstone plates lead to 'Kiepersol Garden', on a route that is arduous for both vehicle and driver. The reward is a view of the southern side of the range and the 'Kiepersol Garden' , from which the route takes its name.
• Suikerhoek - 2 hours 7 km. Only for organised groups - route dangerous at places.

Mountain Biking

Bring your bike and explore the gravel roads through our beautiful district.

Meerkat experience

Moolmanshoek is one of the few places in southern Africa where guests/tourists can experience wild meerkats habituated to human presence in nature. The intricacies of the meerkat social system and their interaction with their surroundings are enchanting. Most people, including children, are left in awe after spending a few hours with them. Moolmanshoek is the first place where wild meerkats have been observed in the snow. Besides tourism, the meerkat project is involved in research and conservation (www.walkwithmeerkats.co.za)

Moolmanshoek Horse Trails

Horse Safari Price list

Lodge Accommodation: From R615 to R790 p.p.p.n sharing (Includes dinner, bed and breakfast)

Self Catering Accommodation: From R150 p.p.p.n (own linen) to R250 p.p.p.n (linen included). A minimum booking of 4 riders is required.

Horse Safari – Facilities for 2-15 riders, accompanied by a well-trained guide

• Full Day Horse Safari (+-6 hours) - Lodge fullday: R600
• Half Day Horse Safari (+-3 hours): R300 per person per hour
• Two hours Horse Safari: R200 per person per hour
• Per Hour Horse Safari: R100 per person per hour.
  Overnight Horse Trails: Sleep in a cave or mountain hut. Minimum booking of 4 people at R300 per person per hour, (including: dinner, breakfast, soft drinks and accommodation; Excluding: horse safari and sleeping bag)

Come and experience horseriding as never before in the spectacular Eastern Free State Mountains. See breathtaking sights and large herds of game from horseback. Moolmanshoek breeds award-winning SA Boerperde and endurance horses. There are 300 horses on the reserve. It is an experience you will never forget!

Accolades

:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading

TGCSA Star Grading

Facilities

• Bamboesbos Restaurant
• Conferences
• Weddings

Bamboesbos Restaurant

This is one of the best country restaurants and the menu will be discussed beforehand. It is fully licensed, and we will see to your special requests. Please notice that corkage will be charged for private drinks.

Conferences

Two tastefully decorated conference venues have all the needed equipment and can seat 10 and 22 people.

DAY conference package includes:

• Tea/Coffee/Fruit juice & rusks on arrival
• Tea/Coffee & snacks late morning
• Light Lunch
• Tea/Coffee and snack mid afternoon
• Room hire
• Use of basic conference equipment

FULLY INCLUSIVE conference package includes:

• Bed & Breakfast
• Tea/Coffee & Snacks mornings
• Light Lunch
• Tea/Coffee & Snacks mid afternoon
• Full Dinner
• Room hire
• Use of basic equipment

 Weddings

Allow us to help you plan your dream wedding. The two outdoor venues we have available are sure to take your breath away with the spectacular Visierskerf as backdrop. Add on a breathtaking horse run that leaves most guest in awe and we are sure your special day will be remembered for a very long time.

For any enquiries please make an appointment with one of our wedding coordinators in advance or, alternatively, contact us directly

Directions