Cheetah Ridge Manor House and self-catering Bush Lodge - by Jeremy Williamson

There is a lot going on at Cheetah Ridge, a Game Lodge in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.

Woodlands Manor House is being converted from being the primary accommodation unit of the venue, to instead, it being the Main Lodge building with various dining facilities, lounge, bar, games room (full sized Billiard Table and a TV) and the Cheetah Ridge Lodge reception and kitchen.

The two suites on the upper floor have been retained as a family unit with own private lounge and veranda.

Woodlands Family room

The Big Five suite

The lounge for the upstairs rooms

The vast downstairs veranda has been enclosed, making it habitable all year. The remaining downstairs bedrooms are to be converted into a Spa. The magnificent Fig Tree in the garden has had a deck built under the canopy, making for a wonderful dining / functions area in good weather.

An additional deck off the dining room has been built adding to the alfresco dining options, whilst the facilities off the Bar have also been added to.

The primary addition to Cheetah Ridge Lodge, is that 10 freestanding air-conditioned rooms have been constructed close to the main Manor House buildings, but tucked away, with an outlook over the Nambiti Game Reserve and a water-hole.

The water-hole is outside the Lodge’s perimeter fencing, consequently this has a variety on animals coming to drink. These units each sleep two with an open plan bathroom, with bath, shower and private toilet. The bathroom can be curtained off from the bedroom and also the view for added privacy. Then there is a deck with secure easy access to the Lodge and its facilities. Cheetah Ridge Lodge has the lowest tariff of all the venues in the Nambiti Game Reserve - for that one gets incredible value. Highly recommended.

One of Nambiti Game Reserve’s most popular venues is the self-catering House within Woodlands Manor Lodge’s grounds.

This comfortable 4/5 bed-roomed house has a large old style kitchen with pantry,



a dining room and lounge with a lovely long north facing veranda, which has ample comfortable seating as well as a dining option. In the garden there is a boma where meals may be enjoyed out under the stars. The private grounds, of the Cheetah Ridge Bush Lodge, as it is called, has its own private swimming pool as well, with sun recliners and a large tree where one can enjoy the shade.

The facilities of the Cheetah Ridge Manor House may be used by the guests at the Bush Lodge, so to the games room, or the tennis court?  Maybe a drink at the bar, or even have a meal at the Manor House Restaurant (by arrangement)

Cheetah Ridge Game Lodge is particularly child friendly, what with the securely fenced grounds and multiple gaming facilities, ones visit to the Nambiti Game Reserve becomes a more active and enjoyable social event.

One of the double rooms

The master suite with private bathroom en suite

Photographs by Jeremy and Lana Williamson