The cottage is situated at Brightside Estate just 9 km outside the beautiful town of White River and 40 km from Hazyview. It is a holiday destination and the ideal location to relax or explore various tourist attractions. You will love this tranquil and private place. Various activities can be enjoyed on the estate and its surrounding area. It is the ideal location to unwind, perfect for the adventurous spirit and central to various attractions, excellent restaurants, schools and shops.
The space
The cottage is self-catering and offers a peaceful stay in a beautiful setting with various activities available on and off the estate for guests to enjoy. No matter whether you are interested in visiting the Kruger National Park, golfing, mountain biking, cycling, fishing, water sports, hiking, trail running, birding and exploring the vast number of tourism attractions, 10onBrigtside is your ideal location.
The cottage is situated in close proximity to the main residence, is south facing and offers complete privacy, a big garden, a fireplace, veranda with build in barbeque and beautiful views of the estate and its indigenous landscape. Guests are welcome to use the fire pit and swimming pool situated in the garden at the main residence.
The cottage can accommodate 4 people - 2 bedrooms sleeping 4 and a sleeper couch in lounge sleeping 1 to 2 children. An additional room, sleeping two, with its on-suite bathroom can be made available by prior arrangement, at an additional charge and subject to availability. The additional room is part of the main residence with its own entrance and beautiful view of the garden, swimming pool and dam.
For bigger groups, an additional apartment (10onBrightside) is offered, subject to availability and sleeping 6 (3 bedrooms, one with extra size bed that can be converted to two 3/4 beds and 2 rooms with queen size beds). It is possible to book the entire property (can accommodate up to 16-18 people) for special occasions and larger travel/tourism groups.
The place has a beautiful setting in an indigenous garden, is very peaceful and the best place to rest and recuperate. This is unfortunately not a wheelchair friendly facility. Owners, Joey & Vaughan, welcomes you to come and experience our true South African hospitality. We will assist guests with their needs where possible. There are 4 friendly dogs residing with the owners.
Daily cleaning services (except Sundays and Public Holidays) are provided. Laundry services are available at an additional charge.
Activities on the estate include:
• Private runway for light aircraft – a 450 meter well maintained private runway is available. No storage facility for aircraft but free open air parking space is available. Permission to use the runway must be obtained from the chairman of the Brightside Estate Home Owner's Association prior to landing.
• Hiking. Bring your own comfortable shoes and explore the fauna & flora along the many well-maintained trails on the estate. Guests can request a guided tour.
• Trail running and mountain biking. Bring your own bicycle and running shoes.
• Bird watching. Brightside Estate is a birding paradise with an estimated 140 bird species (season dependent) and includes bird of prey, ducks, wading birds, insect and seat eaters, inland water birds, doves, parrots, louries, cuckoos, coucals, owls, nightjars, nectar and aerial feeders.
• Tennis. Bring along your own tennis rackets, balls and non-marking shoes.
• Squash. Two rackets available but bring along non-marking shoes and balls.
• Rowing. A rowboat and kayaks with oars are available on request.
• Swimming – At the property there is a swimming pool (12mX4m), 1m shallow- and 1.8m deep-end for use by guest. The swimming pool is shared with the owner and other guests. There is beautiful seating at the pool where guests can relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. Swimming in the dam is also permitted but is done so on entirely own risk.
• Fire pit. A fire pit is available on request for guests to enjoy.
• Trampoline. There is a trampoline at the property for children to use.
• Fishing. Catfish, carp and bass – catch and release basis. Bring your own rods and tackle.
• Picnics. Pack your own picnic basket (baskets available on request) and enjoy the various picnic spots.
• Games. Table tennis, lawn bocce, board games and puzzles are available on request.
By prior arrangement and with an additional charge, we offer customized tours of the Lowveld’s tourism attractions & activities (including the Kruger National Park), a cook or personalised catering services.
Tourism attractions:
• MTO Trails
o Mountain Biking - The Lowveld MTO Trails is considered as some of the best mountain biking trails in South Africa and the trails start right outside Brightside Estate on the Zig Zag route. It is a unique blend of trails, amongst beautiful forestry that flow up and down the rolling hills, with fantastic flow sections and exhilarating downhill runs, enough excitement to cater for all. More information can be obtained by downloading the MyMto app to purchase riding permits and the Trailforks app for detailed maps and tracking of the trails. We cater for cycling groups and can accommodate up to 18 cyclists, depending on sleeping preferences, including catering and an experienced trail guide.
o Hiking is allowed on the trails and is excellent for bird watching and an adventure.
• Kruger National Park – Most famous game park in South Africa – Phabeni gate is a 40 min (50km) drive, Kruger Gate 1.5 hrs (92km) and Numbi Gate 45 min (40km). It is easy visiting the park for a day trip and enjoy the fabulous wildlife the park has on offer.
• Waterfalls – Follow the Panorama Route and visit the Lisbon Falls, Lone Creek, Bridal Veil, Berlin Falls. Mac Mac Falls and the Nelspruit Botanical Garden falls.
• Nelspruit Botanical Gardens. 30km. The garden was established in 1969. One of only nine National Botanical Gardens in the country, the 165ha piece of land plays host to a mind-boggling array of natural wonders. It encompasses a variety of ecosystems including evergreen forest belts, dry bushveld and African rainforest. The landscaped parts of the garden are characterised by large, sweeping lawns and indigenous trees.
• Graskop – 1hr (75km) Various activities can be enjoyed. The Big Swing is one of the world’s highest cable gorge swings and launches off the top of a waterfall. The viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the Afromontane Forest below which is a lush wonderland filled with a spectacular variety of plants, animals, insects and birds. There is a 600m trail in the indigenous forest with wooden walkways & suspension bridges. There is a high-wire Zipline where the course starts from the top of a 5m tower, with 360° views. Participants ride a 120m-long zipline to the northern side of the gorge before walking a short distance along a scenic platform and zipping back along a second zipline of equal length.
• Kaapsehoop – 1.5 hrs (120 km) This is another adventurist and exquisite little town to visit. Pack a picnic basket and hike the escarpment, book a horse riding experience with Kaapsehoop Horse Trials or have an exhilarating experience with the Scootours. A visit to ADAMS Calendar, a megalithic stone calendar, is intriguing, the story riveting and the views and experience fascinating. These stones are amongst an estimated one million ancient stone ruins scattered throughout the mountains of southern Africa. Adam's Calendar is protected as part of the Blue Swallow National Heritage Site, and can only be viewed by booking a guided tour.
• Klipkopje Dam – 5 km from the estate where fishing and motorised water sport can be enjoyed.
• Other attractions to enjoy as part of the Panorama Route are the Bourke Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, God's Window and many more.
Guest access
Guests have access to the entire property (except the private residence) and access to Brightside Estate's facilities (tennis, squash, dam) and walkways.
Other things to note
There are 4 friendly dogs residing at the main residence.
Guests are encouraged to enjoy the natural environment without damaging or disturbing any of the natural habitat. The estate is very tranquil and guests should avoid raised voices and loud music at all times.
