LOCATION
Broadwater River Estate is about 90km from Kimberley, just off the R357 to Douglas.
ROOMS
The combination of chalets (four), double rooms (nine) and apartments (two) can sleep 48 people and the upmarket campsite (private ablutions, sculleries and power points) can accommodate a further 60 people.
The tastefully furnished rooms all face onto the beautiful Vaal River, are air-conditioned, have DStv plus tea- and coffee-making facilities. My room had an open-plan bathroom/loo arrangement which may not suit shy couples, so specify if this concerns you.
Sitting on my mini-deck, listening to the call of the fish eagle and watching the languid waters slip by, was a highlight.
STYLE
Most of the accommodation is housed in Tuscan villa-style buildings fronted by leafy, shade-giving trees; whereas the function venue, restaurant and bar building, which also houses five double rooms on its top floor, is a more modern concrete, glass and steel structure. The grounds are well maintained.FACILITIES
These include a conference centre, restaurant (with balcony seating) and a bar with a well-positioned sundowner deck - all with spectacular views of the river. There is a ramp at the campsite to launch a boat and you can fish from the river bank or floating jetties, though the latter were in drastic need of stabilising when I visited. The lawns in front of the main accommodation block are well-suited to the erection of a marquee for weddings and other functions.
SERVICE
The service we experienced from the hotel, bar and restaurant staff was top-notch.
THE EATING
The menu is not the longest and caters for simple tastes, but my calamari starter was nice and tender, as was my grilled hake and chips main. My travelling partner had a gourmet-type burger and pronounced it very good. The breakfast, included in our room rate, was a first rate, full English affair.
THE 'DO' LIST
Have a picnic at the confluence of the Vaal and Gariep rivers about 20km outside Douglas; visit the Landzicht wine cellars in Douglas; fish on the banks of the Vaal (about 13 species); do water sport of your own making (bring your own boats etc); visit Sunset Private Reserve or Mokala National Park, or take an informative honey tour on Douglas Bee Farms.BEST TIME TO GO
All year round, but September to April is best for outdoor activities.
RATES
R590 per person sharing on a B&B basis (R690 is the single room rate), while children under four stay free. Campsites are R350 a night for the first two people and R60 per extra person per night; up to a maximum of six people per site.
BOOKING
Call 082-332-2266 or visit broadwater.co.za..