Hillside Lodge is a restored turn of the century farmhouse and campsite located on a smallholding outside Bulwer, overlooking Bulwer Mountain and adjoining the 800 hectare Ingelabantwana indigenous forest and nature reserve. It nestles in the Magwaqa Valley and thee lodge is located 12 km outside
Bulwer in the Southern Drakensberg - a comfortable two hour drive from Durban.
The lodge features beautiful yellow-wood floors and ceilings, three modern bathrooms, four double bedrooms each opening onto the verandah, a large lounge with fireplace, and a fully-equipped kitchen with dining room table for 10 opening onto a grape-covered pergola with large outdoor table and seating.
Accommodation in the lodge is provided on a self-catering basis with linens and firewood provided and daily service included. Catering can be arranged on request.
The electrified campsites are levelled and separated from the lodge by a large field with splash pool.
This pool is for all guests at Hillside with everyone asked to provide their own swimming towels.
Caravans are welcome although the 12kms of dirt road may necessitate off-road vans depending on the road condition.
The area is a birder's paradise, with the Cape parrot in attendance daily.
There is a video on YouTube about the conservation of this bird and its connection with the environment that surrounds Hillside Lodge. They quote that there are only a 1,000 of these birds in the whole world!
The Lodge is the perfect venue for a small wedding (100 guests or less). The wedding ceremony can be conducted in the yellowwood church in Bulwer or on the grounds themselves depending on the formality of the occasion. Catering is generally outsourced but, to date, has ranged from informal gourmet picnic baskets to five course formal sit down dinner.