Hi, I’m Yolandi from Galagos Lodge in Kosmos, Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province.
KOSMOS IS BEST KNOWN FOR its tranquil surroundings, lovely walks, the most exquisite sunsets and beautiful views of the Hartbeespoort Dam.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT any of the tourist attractions in the area, perhaps even with a Cheetah at De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust, a lion cub at Ukutula Lion Park or an Elephant at Glen Afric Country Lodge. For the more adventurous why not glide through the tree top canopies in a Hot Air Balloon at sunrise.
THE BEST SUNSET PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN while taking a cruise on the Hartbeespoort Dam. This 1620 hectare dam serves a dual purpose as both a source of irrigations for farms in the surrounding area as well as a resort.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO play golf at Sandy Lane Golf Course, Pecanwood Golf Course (designed by Jack Nicklaus) or Magalies Park Golf Course (designed by Loutjie van Aswegen).
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO visit an art gallery, enjoy coffee at one of many coffee shops or visit a day spa in the area to relax and be pampered.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS anytime! Even the winter days are beautiful, sunny & warm with an early morning mist over the Magaliesburg mountain range like a fluffy white blanket.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS at Galagos Lodge or Leopard Lodge, both venues offer spectacular views across the Hartbeespoort Dam with its calm waters early morning.
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST the Silver Orange Bistro with an awesome menu and the presentation is always something to behold. This country style bistro was established in 2004 and is located on the family owned citrus farm on the R513 in Hartbeespoort. They are open for breakfast and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday (09h00 to 11h00 and 12h00 to 15h30) and dinner from Tuesday to Sundays from 18h00 to 22h30.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Stef’s Table Restaurant and Tea Garden with delightful meals and warm hospitality. You will find this restaurant at 73 Scott Street, Schoemansville and it is open for lunch from 12h00 to 14h30 from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner (by reservation only) from Tuesday to Sunday. This is a fully licensed restaurant, please note that children over 12 years only are welcome.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Pizza del Forno which can best be described as the neighbourhood Pizzeria and can be found at Damdoryn Shopping Centre in Hartbeespoort. They offer a variety of pizzas from traditional to gourmet as well as delicious pastas, salads and burgers. This family style restaurant has number of branches dotted around Johannesburg.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS enjoying a day on a 4×4 track. Rhebok Retreat offers those who are first timers and those who prefer a mountain adventure that is a bit calmer than a hardcore 4×4 trail. For enthusiasts who are looking for a serious adrenaline rush head to the Moegatle Trail where you will need to be an accomplished, confident driver to take you through this challenging track.
FOR SOME CULTURE, I LIKE TO GO TO Lesedi Cultural Village. Here you will be able to get an idea of traditional South African culture. It features five traditional dwellings each of which represent a South African culture: Ndabele, Basotho, Zulu, Pedi and Xhosa. Each family lives here permanently and welcomes visitors into their homes to give them a short experience in their daily lives. You can either visit for the day or stay over for the night.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO visit the Frangipani Day Spa in the village of Kosmos which offers a range of pampering treatments.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY Ama Zwing Zwing Zip Lines at Amanzingwe which is a two hour experience of 1.3km and seven platforms the first of which is found after a short walk through the veld in the Cradle of Humankind. The platforms range from heights of 2m up to 14m. Another option for those looking for a bit of adrenaline is a canopy tour through the Ysterhout Kloof set in the Magaliesberg Mountain range. Zigzag your way down a series of long steel cables secured into the rock face while stopping to enjoy the magnificent view along the way on all eleven platforms.
MY FAVOURITE WALK / HIKE IS at the Mountain Sanctuary Park which is a privately owned nature reserve. The gates are open daily at 08h00 and close at 17h00, so plan your time well.
MY FAVOURITE Food SHOP IS the Jasmyn Plaasprodukte. Large, lavishly stocked and offering an extensive range of fresh farm produce, as well as local and imported food and delicacies.
MY FAVOURITE Nature WATCHING SPOT IS from the Sakara Restaurant at Glen Afric.
MY FAVOURITE ART GALLERY IS Alice Art Studio, offering the ultimate experience in art.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS a game drive at Glen Afric or cuddling cubs at Ukutula. Horse riding & quad biking is great fun for the entire family.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS to visit the Hartbeespoort Dam Animal & Snake Park which offers daily shows including a seal show. The demonstrations happen twice a day at 12h00 and 15h00 and the park is open every day of the year – including public holidays.
Opening times are 08h30 to 17h30 in summer and 08h30 to 17h00 in winter. If you visit on a weekend you can also arrange to be on board one of the scenic ferry cruises that take place on the Hartbeespoort Dam within the park and the dam wall.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO experience the exlusive service and individual attention offered by Bill Harrops Original Balloon Safaris with daily flights departing at sunrise.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS in a tranquil setting with warm hospitality, good food, a fire place in winter and a spa to be pampered.
I Love Kosmos because it is such picturesque and tranquil village with the most beautiful sunsets and the feeling of complete inner peace at sunrise for those up early enough to witness them over a calm Hartbeespoort Dam.
Useful Kosmos Links:
- Kosmos Attractions
- Kosmos Accommodation
- Kosmos Hotels
- North West Province Hotels
- South Africa Hotels
Desirable Digits
De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust: +27 (0)12 504-9906 / 7 / 8
Hot Air Ballooning: +27 (0)12 997-2849
Pecanwood Golf Course: +27 (0)12 244-0068
Magalies Park Golf Course: +27 (0)12 207-9102
Silver Orange Bistro: +27 (0)12 253-2136 or +27 (0)82 378-2948
Stef’s Table Restaurant and Tea Garden: +27 (0)12 253-2384
Pizza del Forno Hartbeespoort: +27 (0)76 814-5851 / 2
Rhebok Retreat: +27 (0)82 895-8824
Moegatle Trail: +27 (0)12 277-1430
Ama Zwing Zwing Zip Lines: +27 (0)82 803-7731
Magaliesberg Canopy Tour: +27 (0)14 535-0150
Mountain Sanctuary Park: +27 (0)14 534-0114
Jasmyn Plaasprodukte Hartebeespoort: +27 (0)12 259-1183
Sakara Restaurant: +27 (0)12 205-1412
Alice Art Studio: +27 (0)83 331-8466
Harbeespoort Dam Animal & Snake Park: +27 (0)12 253-1162
Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris: +27 (0)11 705-3201
