River Lodge
Stephan and Michelle Froelicher
The house itself is built from cream-coloured clapboard, surrounded by wooden decks built into the hillside. Surrounded by rustling leaves and birdsong, it's hard to imagine you're anywhere near the Mother City. There's a big braai area, a set of sun loungers and a generous-sized heated outdoor pool, with a shady veranda alongside the house for hot afternoons. Inside, the house is attractively decorated in a farmhouse style, with jute carpets, high-beamed ceilings and an old-fashioned iron stove in the sitting room. The master bedroom has a jacuzzi bath, and an extra sitting room on the mezzanine floor has a TV, DVD player and a big stack of books. There's also a full-service kitchen - ideal if you're here with kids. The friendly owners live on the same estate and their children will happily allow junior visitors to join in on their play. Take the kids to the nearby World of Birds, South Africa's largest aviary, which has over 350 species housed in attractive, spacious cages that simulate the birds' natural environment as closely as possible.
