Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
16 Oct 2024
Feedback
33
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Description
Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, is our backpackers lodge. It is at the heart of our 1000 hectare working farm.
It was founded by wild adventurer Steve Black and is a family run establishment. It borders the stunning Mkhomazi Wilderness area and is a great base for athletes and adventurers with easy access to over 180km of cycling trails, running trails and endless hikes.
Besides our backpackers lodge and campsite we're also the largest horse trail specialists in the area. Other activities include hiking and tubing down the river.
As a working farm there's always lots of work to be done from taking care of new born animals to towing guests out of muddy fields in the middle of the night. During down time it is perfect for appreciating the mountains, from the rolling hills to the untouched mountain streams and natural pools running through the farm.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Get to know our amazing South African and Sotho staff while you learn a few words of Afrikaans, Zulu or Sotho along with some of the many diverse cultures in South Africa. You can learn to ride a horse, and basic horse care as well as the basics of running a farm/lodge, gardening and maintenance. Besides learning on the job, our backpackers attracts interesting people from all over the world who might teach you new languages and inspire your next travel destination.
Help
We are looking for energetic volunteers that enjoy the outdoors. Because of the nature of our farm, we are looking for volunteers who are 25 years old and older. You'll need to be a social person who enjoys entertaining guests, being a helping hand, providing info and helping with activities. Tubing, horse riding and hiking are the main activities that we offer and so you'll be giving introductions, helping guests sign indemnities and preparing lunches and gear.
We're a working farm, so you will need to be animal orientated, strong and able bodied. Because we are a farm as well as a lodge, your duties will include a variety of tasks, from helping with the house keeping to landscaping and various farm work. We are looking for well rounded volunteers who are flexible as each day will be different.
We do offer meals to guests at our backpackers lodge, so serving meals and tidying up for breakfasts and dinners is also part of the job. You may be asked to cook as well, so cooking skills are a plus. Other than that we like volunteers to take on a project and leave their mark - this depends on what the individual skills of the volunteer are: whether it's training a horse, caring for our gardens, wood working or capturing content for our social media channels.
During our busy times volunteering can be challenging as farming and hospitality both have their own challenges, but the interesting people, stunning scenery and memorable nights make up for it. Stargazing, morning swims, horse riding and hiking are highly recommended as activities for your time off.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
Our volunteers rooms are in the backpackers lodge, and are shared. You also have the opportunity to borrow a tent and set up in our campsite. You will have easy access to Wi-Fi and food will be provided as well.
What else ...
The farm itself is in a stunning location, with natural pools to swim in, waterfalls to jump from, incredible stargazing, mountain biking, fishing, tubing and hiking all a short walk from your accommodation.
The Drakensberg is a popular tourist destination and so resorts (with golfing, paddling, ziplines and archery), world heritage sights and restaurants are a short drive away.
On your day off you might want to journey up the famous Sani Pass or attempt to scale Rhino Peak. Most volunteers also opt to join in on a full day horse ride, go tubing or get lost in the mountains in search of Eland, baboons, endangered bird species or flowers.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Afternoons and evenings - flexible - 2 days off a week
Feedback (18)
Thanks for all your hard work! and enjoy South Africa and your travels!
Bon Voyage!
love Lulu, Steve and all the staff!
There is always something to do, so you can't get bored!
Many thanks to Kelly, Clinton, Adrian, Steve and Lulu, and all the staff!
My tasks were various, from helping out at the backpackers to introducing guests to horseriding. I also got a lot of opportunity to jump on a horse myself.
The woking hours were fair, but varied… read more
Very enthusiastic and caring.
Easy to get along with.
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(5.0)
Thanks for all your hard work! and enjoy South Africa and your travels!
Bon Voyage!
love Lulu, Steve and all the staff!
There is always something to do, so you can't get bored!
Many thanks to Kelly, Clinton, Adrian, Steve and Lulu, and all the staff!
My tasks were various, from helping out at the backpackers to introducing guests to horseriding. I also got a lot of opportunity to jump on a horse myself.
The woking hours were fair, but varied… read more
Very enthusiastic and caring.
Easy to get along with.
Hard worker.
Thanks so much for your help
Super responsible, honest, and active.
We were very sad to say good bye and wish them all the best on their travels.
Super positive happy attitude, very easy to get along with. We felt so comfortable with him from the moment he arrived.
Hard worker, good with woodwork, cooking, and excellent with guests.
Thanks, Gerrit for staying with us, hope to see you again.
Easy to get along with, great attitude with other staff, and guest.
Worked hard and was keen to help in any way.
Very sociable and polite, we were very happy to host him for a month and wish he could have stay longer.
It took some time for him to get use to the farm life, but in within some days he was one of us.
thanks Shane.
We cooked breakfast and dinner for the guests and had to build a campsite, in which we were allowed to do… read more
Thanks Esther for all your help and wish you well on the rest of your travels.
Regards
Lulu
Rory
Easy to get along and hard worker.
Always welcome back. Go well Rory
It has a pleasure to host Moon for 1 month, wish he could have staid longer.
Our guest felt confortable around him and wrote great reviews.
Go well Moon!
Happy, cheerful person and very responsable.
Thanks for all your help, hope you enjoy the rest of your travels.
Enthusiastic and easy going. Wish you all the best for the rest of your travels.
Welcome here any time!
The landscape is unique and the backpacker itself is intimate, peacefully and chosy.
The work is not very hard, you can either help with the backpacker or in the farm. I was there with another volunteer and we had mainly to paint some furniture, prepare breakfast and dinner and… read more
Great attitude and very helpful, good luck for the rest of your travels.
This really is the place to be if you love horses! The grooms are great and I am sure every volunteer that… read more
I had a great time here, it can get quiet in terms of workload, but then you have time to chill, horse ride, go out and about.
Would… read more
