Description: Spoil yourself in this unique experience of nature - wild and beautiful with luxury 3-star accommodation. Enjoy our awesome scenery, super beach, peaceful setting. Tucked away inside the Middlevlei Nature Reserve between the lake and the beach. Inside the 450 hectare Middlevlei Nature Reserve, where the Bot River lagoon meets the sea is a private estate of about 30 hectares known as "Middlevlei". About an hour's drive from Cape Town and 12 minutes from Hermanus it is so totally insulated by the lake, the ocean and the surrounding nature reserve that it is a world of its own. The noise of the towns and cities vanishes and is replaced by the sounds of the sea, the wind and the birds. Flocks of about a thousand flamingos gather on this lake, rare Oystercatchers breed along the 15 km of almost deserted beach, thousands of terns wheel over the water and small antelope, mongooses and genets leave their footprints on the dunes. The Bot River estuary is one of the top birding spots in the Western Cape and recognised world wide as an IBA (Important Bird Area), so if you are into bird watching this is for you! About a quarter of the Middlevlei estate is covered by one of the largest forests of protected milkwood trees in South Africa. Inside this forest, carefully positioned to avoid damage to the trees, are a series of quaint log cottages. Some have spectacular views of the lake and mountains, but all share the shelter offered by the trees from sun and wind, and each one enjoys its own garden and outdoor living area. This section is known as "Meerenbosch" - Lake and Forest. , and your host, Lee Wells lives here. Adjacent to this is a section known as "Meerensee" - Lake and Sea. This is a series of rondavels and chalets set in parklike surroundings, and again some have spectacular views of lake, mountains - and the sea. Here, too all units have their own private gardens and outdoor living areas. Our units have been awarded 3 stars by the South African Tourism Grading Council. The other units are mainly in the Milkwood forest of Meerenbosch, and we manage them on behalf of their owners. They have not been officially graded, but we ensure that the quality of the accommodation is high, and that all units are spotlessly clean. Each unit is different, and each has its own character. Some are spectacular, and others rely more on their charm! But all share in the magic of this tranquil and peaceful setting. The "feel" of Flamingo Lake is similar to many of the South African National Parks rest camps. The decor, furnishing and equipment in all units is "up-market" and very comfortable to the point of luxury, but we maintain a laid-back atmosphere and the feeling of being close to nature. So be prepared for sand on your feet, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face! For those who don't know, a 'rondavel' is a round cottage in the style of traditional African huts. They are very charming, but quite a bit larger than African huts, and finished and furnished to 3-star international standards. Ceramic tiled floors, high wood-panelled ceilings, modern and functioning bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchens. They have been comfortably furnished, with lots of extras to make you feel at home. The place is usually pretty full in the December and Easter holidays. Outside of these periods it is very quiet indeed. In season (May to November) you can often hear whales from our Rondavels and see them from our beach. And your greatest danger is that the field mice or francolins ( a bird a bit like a partridge) will get into your unit while you are not looking. Each unit has its own safe adjoining parking place, and our security guards are on patrol at night. Entry to the estate is strictly controlled, and restricted to owners and their guests. To get to the beach you would walk along the edge of the lake and across the foot bridge over the lake to the beach. It's a huge long beach - you can walk for hours - but not great for swimming, as there are dangerous currents. There are excellent swimming beaches about 5-15 minutes drive away at Onrus, Hermanus and Kleinmond. There are no shops for provisions in the estate, and there is no restaurant. There are excellent restaurants a few minutes' drive away, and several small shops where you can buy basics such as milk and bread also within a few minutes drive. It's about 5-10 minutes' drive to the nearest supermarket, where you would be able to stock up on all your needs. The Rondavels are about 7 metres in diameter. The bush cottages are 6 metres square; some are single-storey, and some double-storey. Some have amazing views, and some don't - but all share the beauty of this superb environment. All units have a living area, a separate bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. All units have a fridge with freezer, TV, good quality crockery and cutlery, microwave, mini-oven, toaster and kettle, dining table and chairs. All bedding and linen is provided except for towels - please bring your own. We can provide towels for guests from abroad on request. The units are not serviced daily, so doing the washing up and making of beds is up to you! The Estate has a swimming pool, tennis courts (bring your own kit) and laundromat facilities which our guests are welcome to use. There are no telephones in the rondavels, but there are public pay phones at the club complex near the swimming pool. We don't allow smoking in the units - but there is plenty of space outside! The Estate is within a Nature Reserve, and dogs and cats are not allowed. A minimum of 7 day booking is required over the December / January holidays. Price Info:
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