All about Izimbali Lodge


Izimbali Lodge is a world class accomodation venue situated in Ermelo, South Africa.  Being a part of the 'mystery route', we epitomise a truly historic and mysterious past.  Izimbali features 20 fully serviced private luxury twin or single suites, a fully equipped conference centre which can cater for 50 people, and a restaurant which has become an institution, with style and cuisine to suit absolutely everyone.  We also have our own art gallery, featuring artworks by well-known South African artists. 

The town of Ermelo was established on the site of a church built in 1871 by the Reverend Frans Cachet. The site was named after a town named Ermelo situated in the Netherlands.  This historic town has an interesting past.  It was razed to the ground by the British during the Anglo-Boer war, but rebuilding began at the end of the war in 1902. There is a British Anglo-Boer war campsite about 2km from Izimbali.  The longest stone-arched bridge in the province, the Begin der Lijn Bridge, straddles the Vaal River roughly 30km south of Ermelo.  It dates from 1898, when it marked the old border with Swaziland, and it is 124 metres long. About 35 kilometres from Ermelo lies Chrissiesmeer (Lake Chrissie).  After good rains, this is the largest natural body of inland water in South Africa, roughly 9km long by 3km wide.  In drought times, however, the lake can be reduced to a few pools, inhabited by hundreds of flamingoes.

Ermelo boasts magical beauty as it is ideally situated amongst the grass and wetlands region of the Mpumalanga Province.  This spectacular area affords visitors the opportunity to enjoy numerous watersports including fishing, swimming and bird watching.  Game viewing can be enjoyed in the Ermelo area.

For an historical experience of the area, there are a few ruins of a settlement dated AD 1400.  In addition there are fascinating San paintings located on the nearby Welgelegen farm . Of special interest are the Leghoya Stone Huts that can be found on the beautiful Tafelkop Mountains. These huts date back to the 14th century.

Other local attractions and landmarks include:

Legoya Huts (10 kms)
Ancient Bushmen sites (5km)
Natural hot-springs spa (70km)
Dying Sun chariot (70km)
Mzana Cultural Village (70km)
Zulu traditional handcraft (103km)
Animal farm (103km)
Swaziland (100km)

To find out more about Ermelo and the region, click HERE.
To find out more about our country, South Africa, click HERE.