Sierra Ranch dates back to 1900, when it was named The Grove and was just a small single-storey building. In 1988 the hotel was gutted by a fire and has since been re-built. Today it’s a kids’ haven where they have so much to do, they forget they have parents.
Sierra Ranch, which has its own airstrip, also has much to offer adults. There is a saloon bar with pool and snooker tables, an outside bar next to the large swimming pool, table tennis, lawn bowls, putt putt and adventure golf, tennis and squash courts. Paintball and horse rides are available, or you can ride along the mountain bike tracks.
And, of course, the Mooi River runs through its 935 hectares. So add fishing or foofie sliding at the dam, volley ball down at the river, ambling and hiking, making it a fun place for the whole family.
What Sierra Ranch has become widely known for are off-road enduro events, which means you can take your motorbikes and quads and test your riding skills on the moto-cross track, which includes some testing double jumps and a 30m table top.
For the trail riding specialists, there is over 900 hectares of breathtaking countryside to explore with rocky hill climbs, river crossings, mud holes and some wide open grasslands for speed freaks. There are some 30km of existing marked trails for those who would rather stick to the beaten track.
It’s worth checking what’s coming up at Sierra Ranch – like leadership and adventure courses. It’s a popular wedding and conference venue.
Accommodation is as diverse. There are 16 hotel rooms above the main building sleeping two to five people. All have en-suites and most rooms have a small verandah with a lovely view of the resort grounds.
There are 22 chalets, which are ideal for families as they sleep as many as six people. There are eight thatched rondavels – ideal for couples – and a honeymoon suite with its own Jacuzzi. The bunkhouse is a two-storey building with five rooms sharing three bathrooms – great for large groups.
Husband and wife team Mark and Paula Gibson put a huge amount of effort into ensuring Sierra Ranch operates smoothly.
It is a very attractive family spot with equally attractive prices. Rates sharing with dinner, bed, breakfast and two English teas, are R495 midweek and R550 on weekends. The bunkhouse is a bit less, the honeymoon suite a tad more.
Children up to five stay for free, from six to 12 are R195 and 13 to 15 year are R390 per night. There are mid-week specials for pensioners.
l Telephone 033 263 1073 or 084 207 3907 or e-mail [email protected] and visit<&bh"Nimrod MT"> www.sierraranch.co.za - Sunday Tribune