The Oyster Box opened in 1954 after starting off as a beach cottage in the 1800's. The property changed hands many times but was inherited in 1920 by a Dr. Quinn. It was turned into his home. In 1948 it was acquired by Ken O'Connor and his sister Kay. The property was used first as a tea garden and restaurant and in 1954 the Oyster Box Hotel. In 2006 , the property was sold to Stanley and Bea Tollman and major renovations and alterations were undertaken. Built in 1954, the iconic 21m high lighthouse is a 'marker' for the hotel as is the pier to the north of the hotel, and the hotel is the custodian of the lighthouse
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Umfolosi forms part of the oldest game reserve in KZN known as the Hluhluwe - Umfolosi Game Reserve. This reserve forms the southern entity and has a wide range of flora and fauna including the big five. There is the central camp at Mpila and then several bush camps, mainly on the banks of the Umfolosi river. This gallery features some of the abovementioned and also images of the craft centre and game capture boma. The reserve has self catering units, bush camps and has self drive tours.Organised professional game drives can be arranged. This special reserve is presently under threat from mining interests on its southern boundary.
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The Weenen Nature Reserve lies between Estcourt and Weenen, in rugged thorn veld and on an escarpment that overlooks the Bushmans River. The landscapes over the Bushmans are exceptional. The reserve has a large variety of game and has open grasslands and areas of thick indigenous bush. The area had been settled by Zulu families before being driven off by Shaka. There are many kraals that bear testimony to these old settlements. This was followed by settlement by the early Boer trekkers, many of whom were massacred at neighboring, Bloukrans. The area continued to be farmed until the 1930's when the farms were aquired and the Nature Reserve was established. An interesting feature is the remains of the old Estcourt to Weenen rail line that used to traverse the reserve.There are many remnants of the bridges, culverts and embankments in the reserve. The line was opened in 1906 and closed in 1983. The reserve itself caters for campers and has limited accomodation on site. The reserve is adjacent to the old Boer established town of Weenen which is worth a visit. It is also close to many of the old battle fields of the Boer War at the nearbye Colenso.
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Zimanga Game Reserve is 300 km north of Durban just beyond Mkuze. This reserve has the big five but specializes in wildlife photography. The old farmhouse at Doornhoek has been converted into a boutique lodge, up with the best that SA has to offer. The Reserve has and overnight hide, scavengers hide and Lagoon hide all offering close up views of the wide variety of bird life, game and scavengers. A new luxury lodge is in the build process and will be opening in 2018, but this will not detract from the close personal attention from the staff and management. This album has images of the accommodation, varied wildlife, and in particular the tree climbing lions.
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The Inn was established in 1892 and called the 'Coach Inn' and is situated in the Van-Reenen village at the top of the pass. It was a rest stop for transport riders on their way to and from from the Rand to Durban. It was built by Charles Cusworth in 1892 and renamed in 1948. The Inn has a large selection of memorabilia which includes the green lantern hanging outside its front door. It was a welcome sign for the travelers coming up the misty pass.
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