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About Willowmore

Zandibela a 4500 acre, 5 star private game lodge which is perfectly situated to provide you with luxury accommodation while you explore the surrounding Baviaanskloof and quint Karoo town of Willowmore, a hidden treasure of the Eastern Cape.

Willowmore was established in 1874, it all began on the farm The Willows which was a trading centre. It was named after William Joseph. There is another version of how the town came upon its name which will appeal to the romantics, it is believed that it was named by a farmer, Lukmkul, who combined his wife’s maiden name, Petronella Catherina Moore, with a large willow tree that stood close to the house.

Farming has been a main source of income for many living in the area even the site that was to become Zandibela Private Game Lodge. Zandibela also started off as a sheep farm. Willowmore prides itself in being one of the worlds largest mohair producers. The town has its water supplied by boreholes on the farm Wanhoop 26km from town.

Willowmore is rich in history with many historical buildings to visit and antiques to be purchased. For those more interested in industry there is the Blackstone Power Station at the southern end of the town. It has six Lister Blackstone diesel engines, that used to supply the whole town with power up until 1984.

Creativity also flows in this town, there is a mohair shop, wireworks and mosaic crafters to visit.

 

Come and explore this gem, Zandibela Private Game Lodge and stay at the jewel of the Baviaans.

Chef Willem Kruger shares his passion

Our Chef, WILLEM KRUGER a man with a passion for cooking.

It all started in my mom`s kitchen; mothers’ kitchens always smells like cinnamon and ginger and those aromas are what sparked, my love for cooking. My mother was my mentor and inspiration for becoming a chef.

Good food has always been an important value in our family, for us cooking involves playing and using your imagination, it is an expression of artistry.  When it comes to combining tastes and flavours, smell and shapes, colours and textures, you never know what new experience might be just around the corner.  If the flavours of your food have the power to touch people`s emotions and awaken their memories, you`ve hit the jackpot.  While working in hotels and game lodges for many years you are exposed to many different ways of cooking and it just helps one grow as a chef. I love cooking with fresh herbs and vegetables.

The first day I saw Zandibela Private Game Lodge restaurant I knew I had found my home. I knew it was the place where I could pour my heart and soul into my menu. I am fortunate to have my own herb and vegetable garden where I can take advantage of the fresh produce on hand. The other ingredients are more difficult to source, due to our, small town location. I overcome this by buying what is in season and planning my menu around what is available and of good quality.

People always ask what my favourite dish is and then I reply, “All.”

Someone once called my menu “unstructured”, which I take as a compliment. I don’t strive for conventional so that suits me well.

The Karoo is well known for its lamb meat, so that is a regular on our menu. There is nothing like a Karoo lamb chop on an open fire, the taste is one you will never forget.

The essence of being a good chef is being open to the opportunities presented by fresh and unexpected produce and having the creativity to know what to do with it.

Yours in good food,

Chef Willem

The Zandibela Story

Pieter van der Zanden had always dreamt of owning a game farm, and when he drove across the farm that was going to become Zandibela he knew instantly that he had found the place he had imagined. He and his wife, Herna, both felt that they should buy the property, they then worked hard as a team over the next few years to create the lodge.

“When we walked across the hills Pieter knew exactly where he wanted to build the lodge,” says Herna, “he could visualize everything” Pieter who is Dutch, had a grandfather who had established many hotels including the famous Hotel Breda in Holland, so perhaps there is a hotelier gene in his family”

Pieter’s vision wasn’t just to run a luxury lodge; rather it was to create a place where guest could connect with nature and recharge. He wanted a place where they would experience tranquility, observe abundant bird life, walk outdoors, see the animals and plants, experience the silence of the bush, witness great sunsets and, at night, sit around a fire in the boma, talk and star gaze. “What is also very important”, says Pieter “is that Zandibela is on the road to the Baviaanskloof, which is a World Heritage site.”

The couple are delighted that there is San art on the property. “It is a privilege to have the art here”, says Herna. “We are pleased that our guests have the opportunity to learn something about the San and the art they produced.”

When the couple bought the farm it was a sheep farm, like the surrounding farms, but unlike the neighboring properties Zandibela has mountains and ravines and a seasonal river and is more suitable for game. Pieter set about buying game, including Addo buffalo, black wildebeest, blesbuck, eland, giraffe, kudu, nyala, oryx, white springbuck, waterbuck and zebra. “There are 24 species of game animals here at the moment,” says Pieter.

The Van der Zanden’s children clearly shares their parents’ passion for wildlife as they each their own herd. Herna-Dette has a herd of blesbuck, Miranka has waterbuck and Tino copper springbuck roaming on the property.

The couple decided to build Zandibela’s lodges using stone and thatch so that the buildings would sit comfortably in the natural landscape. “It took men a year and a half to collect the stones that we used in the construction,” says Pieter.

Herna was responsible for the décor and enjoying working with the artists who created the intriguing lodge doors and the lodge’s artwork. “We invited them to become artists in residence for a while,” she says, “and you can see some of their art around the lodges.” The lodge has a conference, wedding facilities and a spa.

The Van der Zanden’s are based in Cape Town with their three children, Herna-Dette, Miranka and Tino. To escape the city rush, they commute between Cape Town and Zandibela at least twice a month. “We love spending time at Zandibela to reconnect with nature, and be spoilt by our competent staff,” says Herna