Stands for Sale - Mountainlands Nature Reserve

This exceptional reserve near Barberton in South Africa is world famous for its unique geology and natural heritage. Inscribed in the World Heritage list in July 2018. Encompassing 18,000 hectares (44,480 acres), it offers excellent game viewing, a wilderness / bush experience and an unparalleled opportunity to acquire your own piece of Africa.

Mountainlands brings you the opportunity to purchase one of only eighteen highly exclusive 1-hectare private stands (10 sold only 8 remaining!) where you can build your own private game lodge or holiday home. It offers piece of mind and full title ownership in a large wilderness area which is professionally managed.

Just imagine a secluded hide-away 3,5 hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg, 45 minutes from bustling city centre, Mbombela and 15 minutes from Barberton town for necessities. With both the world-renowned Kruger National Park and the picturesque town Kaapsehoop just 1-hour’s drive for day trips. Your own secret world of crystal streams and dappled shade, where krantzes echo the call of starlings and the bark of bushbuck or baboon. Imagine your own nature reserve, a leopard’s wide-eyed stare blazing in the lion-colored grass; red hartebeest like a frieze on a sunset hill and impala’s eyes like a galaxy of green stars in the torch-light. Imagine being there after work on Friday. Imagine your neighbors being plains game such as kudu, eland, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, red hartebeest, buffalo, rib buck and impala; forest animals such as duiker and bushbuck, bush pigs, warthogs, leopards, caracals, brown hyenas, jackals and multiple bird species. Imagine walking the mountains in a time before motorcars, when ox wagons creaked up stony inclines, and all that broke the horizon were mountains and flat-crowned thorn trees. Imagine what it would be like to find a place that looked as wild and beautiful today – and free of malaria. This is Mountainlands Nature Reserve.

2 Stands available in the R7 million price range:

1. Stamvrug Ridge – R7,700,000 - Full title, serviced land; Including VAT and transfer costs

The name describes the ornamental prow of this site, a jutting rock-garden of gnarled Stamvrug and Koko Trees softened by ferns and moss, forest-star sedge and delicate scarlet Crassula. From this west-ward ridge are stunning views; to the south a contained view of serene Saddleback mountain, and to the north through the steep and jagged poort of Fourteen Streams into the distant De Kaap valley. The footprint of the lodge is set just north-east of the ridge, in a grove of Rock Alder, Crow Berry and Sickle-bush, where canaries sing and chin-spot battis flits through the branches.

The site is located midway up a wooded ridge tucked into a thicket near the crest. It faces down Hyslop’s Creek with a dramatic view over the nearby crags and winding valleys. The footprint stretches from the crest down a gentle north-west facing slope among trees that screen the site from the south. The veld type is Mountain Bushveld, as is most of the broken landscape to the north. From the back of the building site, views are accessible through the short trees to the south. Access will be from the slope above and to the east of the site, well screened by the upper levels of the bushveld thicket.

2. High Grove – R7,700,000 - Full title, serviced land; Including VAT and transfer costs

A level place with soul-lifting views and spreading trees like Dikbas, Wild Custard-apple and Marula. Protected from major winds, there are two dramatically different views. To the north, folded and forested land drops away to Hyslops Creek, and rises again to serene grassed peaks. To the west, beyond a thickly wooded glade, well grassed east-facing slopes give views of zebra or mountain reed buck. This site calls you to stay and listen; crested francolins call, and a trusting group of white helmet-shrikes leap-frog through shrubbery. Heavenly.

This very special north-facing site lies just below the high shoulder of a foothill ridge. Located in bushveld or montane savannah vegetation, its character is enhanced by having larger and more varied trees than its surroundings. The outlook is also unique as within the spectacular panoramic arc there are two very distinct views; one to the north looking down the wooded Hyslop’s Creek valley and the other to the west into a perfectly secluded valley whose opposite hillside is crisscrossed with zebra paths. The building footprint is located just in front of the main woodland patch. The large trees provide shelter and the crowns of others, just beyond the sharp drop below the site; frame the views in all directions. The building footprint is large, providing plenty of space and scope for creativity, especially among the rocks and trees behind the site.

This site already feels like a home without any building being necessary. Many wildlife species such a zebra, impala and bush pig still use their ancient trails that cross the site. Crested francolin challenge their neighbors in strident duets; while red eyed doves drop in silently to feed on the wild olives.

Cannot believe this can be yours?? Book a private viewing to experience the magic yourself.