Hi, I’m Alan from Hoopoe Haven Guest House in Chartwell, in Sandton.
CHARTWELL IS BEST KNOWN FOR its country atmosphere and living. All plots are from 2.5 to 10 acres in size, so it is very peaceful. The Lion Park is on the border of Chartwell West 1 km away as the crow flies and just 5 km south is the busy metropolis of fourways with lots of malls and shops and plenty of activity like live theatre, ice rink, extravaganzas, bird park etc. Chartwell is a place where you can relax and just enjoy yourself.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Lion park where you are allowed to touch and play with the lion cubs.
THE BEST holiday PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT birdpark in MonteCasino.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS all year round, BECAUSE the temperature is very moderate. We have relatively mild winters and the summer is very pleasant and not too hot (max about 30 degrees).
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Mugg and Bean at Broadacres.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Aleks Kitchen in Chartwell North, TRY THE eisbein. Also for an evening out there is the Chiefs Boma at the Indaba Hotel with a magnificent buffet and tribal dancing or one of the world class restaurants in the Montecasino complex .
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM one of the Broadacres take aways like Fish and Chip co, Nandos, Grey Wolf Spur, KFC etc.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY a bit of a gambling at the casino followed by an extravaganza or live theatre and a good meal, all at the MonteCasino complex.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO the Virgin Active Gym at Cedar Square or one of the many pubs in the area.
Chartwell’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS the fact that it is so peaceful here, even though you are only 5 kms away from one of the fastest growing business areas in South Africa (Fourways).
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS swim in the crystal clear pool at Hoopoe Haven lodge followed by a braai while the children play in our landscaped gardens and lawns.
FOR SOME CULTURE / LIVE MUSIC, I LIKE TO GO TO the Pieter Toerien Theatre at MonteCasino for live theatre or to the Teatro for an extravaganza like the ‘Nutcracker on Ice’ or ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ or whatever is on at the time.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO just sit in the shade on the lodge balcony and watch the birdlife and really great sunsets while downing a cool Castle Lager.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY horseback riding at the Rhino and Lion park or even go on a hot air balloon ride (very expensive but I believe it is well worth it) or maybe go elephant back riding at Hartebeestpoort Dam, or a visit to De Wildt Cheetah Park about 35km away.
MY FAVOURITE DRIVE IS to the Cradle of Humankind and Hartebeestport Dam on the crocodile ramble.
MY FAVOURITE food SHOP IS the world class award winning Super Spa in Broadacres just 1 km down the road.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN October, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the annual Chartwell fun run.
MY FAVOURITE PARK IS the MonteCasino bird gardens. CHECK OUT THE scarlet ibis.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS a trip to the Northgate ice rink.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS a local horse ride around Chartwell.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS a Giant African Bullfrog. The Chartwell wetlands are it’s fourth most important breeding area. It is HUGE.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS going on the crocodile ramble, but you might try the crocodile park 5 km away or Lesedi Cultural Village 25 km away or the Cradle of Humankind where Mrs Ples was discovered.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I try to plant bird friendly indigenous trees and plants to encourage the bird life in the area.
I Love Chartwell Because of the country atmosphere and peace and quiet and the fact it is so close to so many activities. Chartwell is so conveniently situated that you could spend a month here and go on a different outing every day.
Chartwell Links
- Chartwell Attractions
- Chartwell Accommodation
- Hotels in Chartwell
- Hotels in Sandton
- Hotels in Gauteng
- Accommodation in Gauteng
Desirable Digits
Aleks Kitchen: +27 (0)11 460-1470 / +27 (0)72 023-0773
Chiefs Boma: +27 (0)11 840-6600
Virgin Active Gym at Cedar Square: +27 (0)11 467-2366
Hot Air Ballooning: +27 (0)84 602-3491
De Wildt Cheetah Centre: +27 (0)12 504-9906 / 7 / 8
North Gate Ice Park: +27 (0)11 794-8706
