4-Star Country Lodge for sale
Mpumalanga South Africa

This exclusive, well established and profitable lodge is for sale! Located on a busy tourist route near the Blyde River Canyon and en-route to the Kruger National Park and Private Game Reserves, it is an opportunity not to be missed.

The lodge nestles in a pristine and unspoilt nature conservancy of 540 hectares and offers a comprehensive and upmarket infrastructure for 16 guests. It is the only small, exclusive 4-star lodge on the western side of the popular Panorama Route.

The selling price of R8.895 million is “lock, stock and barrel” – and only excludes the owner’s personal household items and private vehicles. Therefore, a new owner can just move in and continue with the business.

95% of guests are foreign tourists – mainly from Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Belgium and the UK. Confirmed forward reservations until April 2011.

The reserve and lodge offer some unique and special features:

• Absolute unspoilt nature with breathtaking views
• Private and secluded
• Migratory natural wildlife including Kudu, Nyala, Reedbuck, Duiker, Bushbuck, Klipspringer, Warthog, Baboon, Monkey, Bushpig, Serval, Aardvark. Civet, Caracal, and many more species.
• Excellent birdlife
• Ideal location – guests use the lodge as a base from which to explore the Panorama Route.
• Average stay of guests: 2 to 3 nights.

Great expansion opportunities exist for a new owner!!

More detail about the property and business

1.	Location 10 km North of Ohrigstad on the R555 to Burgersfort. About 30 minutes from the Blyde River Canyon and 40 minutes from Pilgrim’s Rest. Only 4 hours from Johannesburg / Pretoria, approximately 130 km from the Kruger National Park
2.	Property details 540.0828 ha (Approx 1200acres). The entire property is zoned as a Business and is registered with the relevant authorities.
3.	Reason for selling Current owners have been in the industry on a full time basis for 17 years and have reached the stage where they feel it necessary to semi-retire and enjoy their passion, i.e. travelling.
4.	Selling Price - R8.895 Million. The lodge is being sold as a going concern, i.e. lock, stock and barrel – walk in and continue with trading. Note: All furniture, fittings, equipment, artwork are included as well as marketing and advertising material. Also, a vehicle which has game-drive seating – being used to take guests on nature drives and sundowners. Items excluded from the sale are personal vehicles as well as furniture and artwork in owner’s house. The business, infrastructure and land were independently evaluated and our selling price of R8.895 Million is a very realistic price. ● All stocks in respect of food, beverages and curio shop – on day of take-over – are included. ● All monies received (full payment / deposits) in respect of future reservations (from date of take-over) will be refunded. ● Current owners are prepared to assist with a hand-over for a period of 30 days after which further assistance can be negotiated.
5.	Improvements ● Buildings: 960 m2 (excluding Boma, Parking areas under shade cloth) ● Partly game fenced (Bonnox 1.83 m high) ● More than 25km of well marked walking trails ● Road infrastructure to explore parts of the reserve ● Lodge Infrastructure: The lodge was designed and built by the current owners in 2002. Prior to development, the entire property was “virgin land”. Infrastructure condition is such that no renovations or additional buildings are necessary. A new owner can literally move in and continue with business. Guest facilities   Accommodation facilities ● 8 x Chalets (varying in size from 35 m2 to 54 m2), accommodating 16 guests per night ● Private Patios ● Indoor + Outdoor Showers (Romance Chalet has a bath in addition to showers) ● All chalets offer en-suite facilities ● All chalets are fully furnished and serviced   Public Areas ● Lapa building (180 m2), combining leisure area with fire place, dining area, bar and sundeck ● Public toilets ● Curio Shop ● Open air boma ● Swimming pool ● Parking area for guest vehicles (under shade netting)       Operational Areas ● Fully fitted kitchen, scullery, pantry ● Laundry ● Office ● Liquor store room ● General store rooms ● Parking areas for staff / operational vehicles ● Staff accommodation facilities ◊ 2 x Cottages for management, both en-suite. One cottage with kitchenette. ◊ General staff accommodation complex consisting of 8 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms/showers, 2 toilets, kitchen, TV Lounge       Owner's House ● Self-contained house (75 m2) with shower and bath, open area kitchen / TV room / lounge / office area, bedroom with patio. ● Private parking under shade cloth.
6.	Current Ownership The property is currently owned by a Close Corporation with the owners as members.
7.	Staff Compliment Our permanent staff consists off a Management Couple plus 9 operational staff. All staff members are well trained, experienced and committed to the lodge.
8.	Marketing and Source of business ● The lodge’s website and direct reservations via other websites, generate more than 30% of the business ● 95% of reservations are from Western Europe (mainly Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Scandinavia and the UK) ● The lodge is featured in various international travel brochures – examples available ● Marketing contracts with international tour operators for 2010 / 2011 have been finalised and committed. ● The lodge has been graded by the TGCSA as a 4 star establishment. It participates in the Portfolio Retreats Collection, Greenwood Guide, Best of Africa Catalogue and is “Highly Recommended” by the AA Travel Guide.
9.	Current Operations ● The lodge is operated by the two owners on a full time basis. They are very ably assisted by a management couple. ● It is operated on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis. However, a limited lunch menu is offered to guests who are on the premises. This is at a nominal extra cost for the guests. ● Our current tariffs are based on the above and also include commission payable to tour operators and agents where applicable. ● We are registered for VAT
10.	General ● Electricity: Provided via the national network (ie ESKOM). Two transformers and approximately 1.7 km cabling is part of the company’s asset list ● Water: A very strong borehole with excellent quality water for lodge use. ● Sewerage: Septic tank system. There are 5 septic tanks. ● Communication: Telephone on a satellite system – one phone in office and one in owner’s house. Credit card machine also linked via this system Internet via satellite ● Limited mobile phone coverage – so we do not use mobile phones
11.	Financials ● Very established and profitable business ● Forward reservations until April 2011 ● Turnover in excess of R2 000 000 per annum ● Audited financial statements for the year ending Feb 2010 are available
12.	Expansion opportunities The reserve of 540 ha has incredible expansion opportunities. Current owners limited guest development to 8 chalets to ensure exclusivity for guests. ● Additional camps / lodges can be developed to increase occupancy potential ● Complete game fencing and stock with game (i.e. turn it into a small game lodge) ● Opportunities for soft adventure activities, e.g. abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking.