Kosmos, Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa

The Hartbeespoort Dam area has long been a retreat for people living in nearby Johannesburg, and it is easy to see why. Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountains, it’s not a very high but still prominent range just north of the city, the dam built in the 1920’s primarily to provide irrigation for farming. The wonderful spinoff of this project was the creation of a picturesque lake and mountain setting emulating other famous lakes such as Lake Como in Europe, or Lake Mead in the USA. Kosmos Lodge is situated near the shoreline and faces south with stunning lake views from all but one of the rooms.  

• Location: Kosmos, Hartbeespoort Dam, Gauteng, South Africa.
• Accommodations: Four permanent guest rooms with a fifth available on request. All rooms are equipped with a microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster, as well as a kitchenette with all the necessary cutlery. 
• Dining options: None on site, but the room rate includes a continental breakfast delivered to your room daily.
• What else is there: There is a cozy, communal lounge for all guests to enjoy.
• What’s nearby: There are local markets, restaurants, cafes, the Harties cable car which takes you to the top of the mountain, also the town of Hartbeespoort which is around seven kilometres away. The Elephant and Monkey sanctuary is outstanding and allows close up and personal contact with the elephants as well as other wildlife, the sanctuary providing refuge for sick, abandoned or rescued animals. And there is the lake, where you can take a cruise to savour the scenery.
• Why go: It’s a premium B&B well suited to a romantic lakeside getaway, or a quiet stopover for anyone exploring this region of South Africa., dubbed “Little Monaco”.

The Space

With the ambience of a B&B combined with a boutique lodge, Kosmos Lodge offers guest a retreat of serenity and comfort. If you enjoy a quiet well-appointed room with amazing morning views, and a  home-away-from-home setting, you should find this suits your taste. The decor throughout the lodge is contemporary with luxury furnishings, and there is secure parking provided with a remote allowing you the freedom to come and go at your leisure.

Where We Stayed

We stayed in the top floor right corner suite. Although the top three rooms are essentially similar in décor and layout, each room is slightly different and ours had a larger bathroom than the rest. The fourth room is down one floor isolated from the others, aptly called the Honeymoon Suite. Room features include a large bathroom with marble floors and walls. There are also gas fireplaces, free Wi-Fi access, tea and coffee making facilities, bread for toast, tubs of muesli and bottles of wine in the fridge, a hairdryer, bathroom amenities, and an large TV with DSTV. The rooms come with king sized beds facing glass sliding doors that open onto a small balcony to allow a fantastic morning view of the lake and countryside.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The views of the lake.
• The Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary.
• The reasonably priced, spacious rooms. 

Insider Tips  

• The location is a great stopover if you’re en-route to Sun City or Pilanesberg.
• If you want to self-cater you will need to bring your own supplies.

The Details

Kosmos Lodge is located at 121 Paul Kruger Ave, Kosmos, Hartebeespoort Dam, 078 887 2882, www.kosmoslodge.co.za.

About Our Guest Writer

Kevin Mann is the founder of Escorted Tours Africa , and has lived in South Africa, Canada and Australia. After a 27-year career in the corporate world, he established Escorted Tours Africa in 2014, with the idea of providing comfort and security for visitors to Southern Africa by designing, marketing and hosting its own tours. As a seasoned traveller, Kevin enjoys experiencing things which are ‘different’ in search of that new adventure, and sharing his travels with a wide audience of travel lovers. He currently divides his time between South Africa and Australia.