~ Welcome ~
~ Location ~
~ What to Expect ~
~ Activities ~
~ Dining at Halkett House ~

~ Welcome to Halkett Country House ~

A warm welcome waits at Halkett Country House, an original one hundred year old, romantic, colonial-style hideaway. Owned and managed by the Jackson family, one of the longest residing Waterberg families since 1902, Halkett Country House proudly opens doors to all visitors aspiring for a taste of the good life!

The understated allure of the homestead charms visitors of all ages. Find here an intimate space for up to 8 adults to enjoy a unique and exclusively booked, full-board holiday destination. This colonial style homestead features 4 unique bedrooms, each with their own private bathroom, serving as a sanctuary for well-travelled guests. For more information please see Accommodation.

~ Location ~

Well-suited for overseas visitors seeking true South African hospitality, here you will find 400 hectares of malaria-free bushveld not too far from Johannesburg. Here is a wonderful opportunity to slow down the pace of a frantic holiday, which may include hopping from safari to the city. Our location is ideal for visitors travelling between Johannesburg and local South African National Parks including Marakele, Mapungubwe and northern Kruger Park, as well as Botswana and the Tuli Block (3 ½ hours drive to Pontdrift border post). Game reserves and destinations such as Welgevonden (1 ½ hours drive), Sun City (3 hours drive) or Madikwe in the North-West Province (4 hours drive) are well-advised parts of an itinerary to include Halkett Country House.

For locals, consider this your idyllic home from home, a break away from the bright lights of the city. Here is an accessible retreat where one can completely unwind, over long or short stays. Find here an opportunity to break between a journey from northern Limpopo back down to Gauteng. You may even bring the family dog!

Our location is on a 400 hectare bushveld farm, just 17km of tar road from Naboomspruit (Mookgophong) and then 11km of dirt road off-the-beaten track. Naboomspruit was originally a mining town, established in 1910 after tin was discovered. Platinum was also discovered and today mining for fluorspar continues. The town was named on account of a massive of euphorbia (naboom) growing on the banks of a nearby stream (spruit) but at the turn of the century was re-named as Mookgophong. Today both names stand. Naboomspruit was an integral roadway for travellers heading to Pietersburg and Zimbabwe, particularly as a local baker attracted widespread business for serving an excellent store-baked bread. Sadly, the baker moved away, to the befuddlement of many a customer who had been tipped to buy that bread! Currently, a rather attractive shop exists just on the outskirts of town and this is “Limpopo Ceramics”, selling beautiful hand-made pottery, plates, mugs and ornaments – you cannot miss it and we recommend you take a peek!

If golfing is your interest, we are in the vicinity of 2 of the key Limpopo golf courses, Legend Golf & Safari & Euphoria Golf & Hydro. Nyslvley Nature Reserve is within 40 minutes drive of Halkett Country House, close to Naboomspruit and appeals to birders, especially in the South African Summer months. In Potgietersrus (Mokopane), a 50km journey from us, cultural and historical answers may be found in the small but informative Ariend Diepernik Museum. Activities in Warmbads (Bela Bela) are approximately a 1 hour drive. top

~ What to Expect ~

Peaceful surrounds ensure a wealth of bird-watching. Whether you grab your hiking boots to explore the farm on foot or sit back in a quiet nook on the verandah there is plenty to see, do and hear. Hike amidst 400 hectares bushveld, horse-ride, play tennis or relax serenely by the private shady pool. Body and soul may rejuvenate in blissfully attired bedrooms while hearty, wholesome breakfasts await! Massages may be pre-booked to ease the aches from long journeys. With a subtle service and great attention to detail, we welcome all visitors to share this wonderful place.

Wildlife seen on the property include warthog, jackal, civet, caracal, genet, leopard, porcupine, aardvark, honey badger, duiker, klipspringer, vervet monkey, thick-tailed bushbaby, lesser bushbaby kudu, nyala, bushbuck, bushpig, brown hyena, chacma baboon, a variety of small lizards and the larger monitor lizard, as well as our horses who roam freely at this off-the-beaten-track rural escape. Birdlife of more than 200 species have been counted.

Halkett Country House is especially well-suited to exclusive single party bookings and fully catered weekend breaks, bed and breakfast stays, or even private luncheons and exclusive booked parties. We cater to a variety of tastes and appetites with our personal, attentive approach. top

~ Activities ~

Do as much or as little as you like during your stay at Halkett Country House!

Birding: Among more than 200 bird species, seek grey-headed bush shrikes raise your eyes to the skies for raptors such as african fish eagle and blackbreasted snake eagle. An abundance of african hoopoes, grey go-away birds, fork tailed drongos, lilac breasted roller, masked and redheaded weaver, woodpeckers and many common variety bushveld birds are all in proximity to Halkett Country House. Sunbirds and kingfishers are prominent in summer months. Year-round there are african jacanas, egyptian geese, little grebes, herons and many other water birds spotted in the dam. Birders may wish to visit Nylsvley Nature Reserve, a Ramsar declared wetland site which has international conservation importance. This is a seasonally-inundated floodplain close to Naboomspruit and approx. 40 minutes drive from Halkett Country House. Extensive reedbeds and grassland are home to some 370 bird species, mostly waterfowl, and during peak floods of the Nyl River some 80,000 birds have been recorded as seen. The park has a nominal entry fee and is also host to roan antelope and tsessebe

Big 5 Safari Drives (off-site): Legend Golf & Safari/Entabeni are within 20km drive and by prior arrangement may provide guided drives amongst the beautiful Entabeni scenary with especially good opportunity to encounter elephant, lion and white rhino. Rates confirmed on booking. Under 6 years not permitted.

Bush walks: We may conduct guided bush walks to share our knowledge of the environment with you. 400 hectares of unspoiled bushveld allow us the opportunity to look for tracks and spoor of caracal, leopard, porcupine, baboon, aardvark and brown hyena, amongst more as well as the chance to see animals and the little 5 (leopard tortoise, antlion, buffalo weaver, elephant shrew and rhino beetle. Nature walks may be arranged for children and adults alike. For visitors staying full-board 1 guided walk is included in the rate.

Bushveld Tennis Court: An original termite-mound based, full-size bush tennis court with white-washed lines is the perfect late-afternoon sport in the soft early-dusk light, followed, naturally, by a sundowner on the verandah or by the pool. Rackets and balls supplied or enthusiasts are welcome to bring their own.
Darts: Poolside, a game of darts is always on the ready. Just open up the board and commence!
Cycle Trails: Bring your own mountain bike to explore the terrain – sandy roads increase the challenge! Follow our dirt roads of make your own way in the bushveld.

Camp-Outs: Especially in mind of the explorers, the young-at-heart and all intrepid teenagers, dine upon a bush feast in colonial-style, set upon a Persian carpet with white linen tablecloth and candles before relaxing in a veldt, where we invite you to share your stories and regale you with our own campfire tales. A comfortable bed in the open air, sleep whilst listening for haunting night sounds of the jackal. Awake at dawn to the scent of coffee brewing over a fire.

Fishing: Bring rods and tackle to try a little catch-and-release fishing for carp, tilapia and barbell in the dam. Water level is dependent on rainy season, enthusiasts are advised to ask about fishing prior to arrival.

Games: A selection of modern board games are available. Halkett may engage children and adults alike in the traditionally played house games such as “Hunt the Thimble”. Escape the computer-age and go back to a time when games brought people together, often with much hilarity and raucous pursuits!
Golf (off-site): Prior booking essential and payment usually expected on arrival if not in advance. Take advantage of Legend Golf & Safari (20km) for a unique wildlife-infused golfing experience. Euphoria Golf & Hydro is also close by (35km) and treats there include a cable car trip (weather-permitting) for views of the Waterberg hills.

Halkett Safaris (off-site): Individual Specialised Safari Tours for personalised affordable itineraries. Trips to Mapungubwe and Kruger National Park, and beyond. Advance booking is essential. See Enquiries.

Horse Riding: Leisurely rides are offered to all visitors or view our horses roaming throughout the farm. Ride out late afternoon and finish the day with a sundowner in the bush. Hard hats are provided.
Library Selection: Throughout the big sitting room and small sitting room you will find assorted reading material which we hope you will peruse. Modern fiction sits alongside older classics. Be enchanted by great literary works or historical accounts from the vast collection of traditional and contemporary reading material.

Massage Treatments: Strictly by prior arrangement a range of massage treatments may be booked before you arrive with our therapist Cecile. Further treatments and therapies are available off-site.
Outside games: Play time outdoors is easy for children of all ages – this is your holiday and children may run freely. Lawns facilitate many outdoor games, such as tenni-quoits. Make the most of these safe and natural surroundings.

Swimming Pool: Make the most of lazy days, relaxing by the salt water pool hearing birdsong, watching the blue sky above and feeling a welcome breeze coming through the trees. The thatched summerhouse provides ample shade for reclining and a hammock for lazing. This pool is fenced allowing you peace of mind that your children are safe.

Tenni-quoits: Work up a sweat playing this old-fashioned ship-board game played with a rubber quoit before collapsing into a hammock and resting up until the next round of drinks or meal.

Off-site, we can co-ordinate numerous activities including game drives at a local Big 5 Game Reserve, spa treatments, team-building and golfing at Legend Golf & Safari and Euphoria Golf & Hydro.

Advanced booking is essential; email us via info@halkett.co.za detailing your requirements. top

~ Dining at Halkett Country House ~

Halkett Food: We pride ourselves on our flexibility and aim to cater for all tastes. When you book in on a Bed and Breakfast basis do be sure to advise us prior to arrival if you may require evening meals or lunches – we are not a restaurant and must know in advance! Please note that we do not sell “bar snacks” and all our meals are prepared freshly on site! For those staying full-board, you may tell us if you would prefer breakfast and lunch or one hefty brunch. With butler service, we may provide a selection of refreshment drinks.

Halkett Country House is full-board and is not suited to self-catering. There is no a la carte restaurant on site and the closest eateries are in Naboomspruit (Mookgophong) or Potgietersrus (Mokopane).

Tea & Coffee: Self-service hot beverages are always available at our homely “coffee station” which offers you fresh filter coffee, a variety of tea and herbal infusions. Divulge in real coffee or detox with a green tea.

Freshly Made & Organic Ethos: Organically home grown vegetables and herbs accompany most of our plates. Cakes, scones & pastries are made & baked on-site. We provide balanced dishes with a decadent edge and can meet with numerous dietary requirements.

Summer Days: Summer is perfect for Pimms, fresh pickings, home made sorbets and ice cream. Picnic under the shade of a fig tree in the veld. Balmy nights make the most of alfresco candlelit suppers on the lawn or pool-side. Star gaze under the unpolluted bushveld sky. Pre-dinner drinks may be served as dusk falls, providing ample opportunity to absorb the summer night sounds; the call of the jackal, the trill of the night jar, the frog chorus and the resonance of toads in local streams.

Winter Nights: On winter nights, come join us for drinks before dinner in the big sitting room. Step back in time and absorb the atmosphere in this unchanged room, the heart of the household. Flickering flames of a log burning fire embody an intoxicating escape and rejuvenates one’s soul. During winter, let us arouse your senses with the scent of mulled wine, home-made soups consisting of home-grown fares or a hearty roast dinner cooked in the traditional Aga stove.

Formal Dining: Each visitor has the opportunity of an evening meal in our formal dining room with the old-fashioned charm and traditionally laid table. Silver candlesticks add a timeless elegance to this dining experience. Formal or smart-casual attire is preferred for this meal – children may stick to pyjamas! Evening meals are generally served between 7pm and 8pm. Child meals may be served to suit your times.

Kiddies Tea Parties & Special Occasions: To make your stay even more special, by request, we can organise a tea party for the children or a birthday cake. Please note unusual requests do require consultation prior to visits.

Bush Braai: If you would like to enjoy a bush breakfast or traditional South African braai we are more than happy to oblige. Do note that outside dining is always weather-permitting! top

Contact Melissa or Mansel via info@halkett.co.za.