Valley of the Rainbow Newslog

Valley of the Rainbow Pilgrim Cabins

Szavanna — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:55:27 +0000

Valley of the Rainbow is currently undergoing an exclusive new lifestyle and leisure development which will be built and developed around the current resort.

The new Old Transvaal Culture development is not only to recreate yesteryear but to maintain our fragile eco-system by extending the natural environment with board walks over wetlands and ponds, paths through indigenous forests and stone bridges over streams. A variety of water birds, ducks, waders and small game will be introduced to their natural habitat.

The Pilgrim Lake Village includes 20 Pilgrim Cabins in a forest overlooking the lake, wetlands and river in the valley.

· Ten Cabins in forests overlooking one of the lakes in the valley

· Ten Cabins on lake and wetlands

· Access road and parking areas

· Swimming pool on deck at water edge

· Jetties for fly fishing and boating activities

· Boardwalks over Wetlands and ponds

· Bird hides near wetlands to experience the prolific bird life

· Fishing and picnic areas on lake and river.

· Entrance gate and security control.

Own a share in a cabin for R25 000 !

13 shares per cabin
28 days ownership per share per year
7 days own usage per share per year for first 5 years
No levies applicable
Option to sell share to developer after 5 years.

Thank You

Szavanna — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:44:42 +0000

I wanted to give you some feedback on our stay at Valley of the Rainbow.

We held my father’s 60^th birthday celebrations at the lodge over this past weekend, and what a fantastic experience it was!!!! Susan and Jannie were the most unbelievably warm, caring hosts, and made sure that everyone there felt at home and relaxed. They were always available when we needed them without being overbearing, and the food we were served was absolutely outstanding. Jannie was always there to lend a hand with the flyfishing and ANY other requests while both Susan and Jannie kept a close eye on everything in the kitchens, yet still finding the time to chat to us and see to any other requests we had.

The weekend was an overwhelming success, and we have already booked for a return visit in October!!!!!

All our guests said that they would certainly return in the future after experiencing such wonderful treatment from ALL the staff there.

Special mention must also be made of the fantastic food that Joseph prepared for us!!!!

Please convey our thanks and compliments to both Susan and Jannie and their staff……

With kind regards

Kim Baisley

Property Specialist

ENGEL & VÖLKERS, Lynnwood

E en V Properties CC T/A Engel & Völkers Pretoria

Licensee of Engel & Völkers South Africa

Shop 74, Gift Acres Centre, Lynnwood Road

Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria 0184, South Africa

PO Box 2299, Brooklyn Square 0075

Phone: +27–(0) 12 361 3777

Fax: +27–(0) 12 361 5777

Mobile: +27–(0) 82 612 4586

Direct fax: +27-(0) 86 622 5347

Internet: www.engelvoelkers.co.za/pretoria
Mailto:Kim Baisley@engelvoelkers.co.za

Live among the lakes and forests

Szavanna — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:26:31 +0000

THE Valley of the Rainbow Estate and Nature Reserve is situated in the eastern highlands near the towns of Dullstroom and Belfast, which is about a two-hour drive on the N12/N4 from Johannesburg/Pretoria. This eco-development, which has been rezoned as a resort, combines the beauty of the natural landscape with the hospitality of a luxury resort.It covers almost 1000ha and is cradled in a valley, while it is surrounded by mountains with indigenous forests, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. With services within Valley of the Rainbow complete, phase one of the resort will be launched at the end of this month. It will encompass three different development nodes, namely Lake Estate, Forest estate and a 5-star eco boutique hotel. Central to these development nodes will be an indigenous water park with ponds, wetlands, bridges, walkways and a variety of water birds and small game.Lake Estate is a 13ha property which will include 10 nature studios overlooking the lake, wetlands and a river in the valley, while the Forest Estate is a 460ha property which will include 30 nature studios overlooking indigenous forests, wetlands and a river in the valley. The 5-star eco boutique hotel will replace the present Manor House and will be situated on a 13ha property.Lake Estate will encompass indigenous forests which will extend onto the ridge and river bank, a large lake for fishing, ponds and wetlands, broad walks with bird hides over ponds and wetlands, stone bridges over streams, and fishing and picnic areas on the river bank.The Forest Estate node will be designed around its indigenous forest setting with ponds, wetlands, paths, stone bridges and walkways over wetlands, with water birds and small game. There will be service roads to each studio as well as access walkways to the units. In line with the environmentally conscious nature of this development, the studios will be built according to environmental sensitive construction methods. The design is based on the eco designs of Glenn Murcutt, an acclaimed Australian architect, who has ensured that only the highest quality European designed furniture and fittings will be used. The units will feature an open-plan living, dining room and kitchen. Living areas will open to decks and a pool through sliding aluminium glass doors.The contemporary design combines high-tech, low maintenance steel, aluminium, glass, stainless steel and composite wood decking, with natural elements including surrounding stone walls.The eco boutique hotel will be the main attraction in Valley of the Rainbow with its numerous lifestyle facilities and attractions.It will include 20 nature suites, a conference centre, an arts and craft studio, a natural wellness centre, and a restaurant and tea garden. This hotel will also house a recovery and recuperation health centre, providing professional medical and pre- and post-operative treatment to international medical tourists.The developer’s own qualifications and involvement in the fields of medicine, pathology and pharmacology are extensive and add to the resort’s viability. Valley of the Rainbow is being marketed to international and local property investors in the leisure market and the corporate market, as well as to the medical tourist market. Interested buyers can purchase nature studios in this resort on a sectional title or fractional title ownership basis.The units range in size from 100m² to 160m² and prospective buyers can choose their finishes within certain specifications.The Lake Estate and Forest Estate studios are available in two-bedroom options, while the studios in the hotel are available in one-bedroom options. The units will include furnishings, services and standards to qualify for affiliation with exclusive luxury international collections.Purchasers will also have the option to place the studios into a rental pool system. Activities currently on offer or planned for Valley of the Rainbow include a leisure garden with golf and croquet; a clay-pigeon range and a field archery range at Konterdanskloof; fly fishing in the lakes and rivers; an equestrian centre; 4×4 game viewing trails; mountain bike and hiking trails; canoeing; abseiling; hot air ballooning and hang gliding. Possible additions to this development include the Tierkloof Mountain Estate in the mountains on the Witpoort property and the adjacent Konterdanskloof Nature Reserve. PRICE: Nature Studios Fractional share prices: Lake Estate R290000 (excluding VAT and transfer costs)
CONTACT: Valley of the Rainbow Jamie van Zijl 083 678 8318Morning: 018 468 9000 Afternoon: 018 293 0573

Explaining Fractional Ownership

Szavanna — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:49:33 +0000

Fractional ownership is shared ownership of an asset, with the associated benefits of ownership, such as proportionate allocation of usage and the rewards of capital escalation. The concept was introduced in the US in 1986 by Richard Santulli who wanted to purchase an aircraft but could not justify the expense of acquiring and operating his own plane. He approached other interested parties and devised a shared-use program to manage the operation. This model evolved into what is now known as fractional ownership, allowing users to purchase flight time with guaranteed availability. Before long, the model was adopted by the boating industry and later migrated to the leisure property market. Often referred to as private club ownership in the leisure property market, fraction ownership offers the benefits of equity based holiday home ownership, together with the status and exclusivity of a private club membership. Although the concept has been growing in popularity in many parts of the world, it only recently became available in SA. Since this year the concept hit the South African market form several sources for the first time. In keeping with the international model, these were products offering fraction ownership of individual properties with no inter-changeability option. The model is not new from a global perspective but is in the infancy stage as a trend in The Sough African market, specifically when it comes to the ownership of luxury leisure property. Fractional ownership can be compared to a group of people pooling their resources to purchase a property. This can be done in various forms. An example being the purchase done via a closed corporation of which the parties are members with various percentage interest shares in the cc. Most often the asset, such as an apartment, is held in a (Pty) Ltd company, in which shares proportionate to the ownership split are issued. An independent director is appointed, who is under mandate to manage the affairs of the company and not to encumber it in any way. With respect to the utilization of the asset, roles are drawn up amongst the parties involved. One of the major differences between times share and fractional ownership is recognised as an asset, whereas time share is not. Another advantage is that fractional ownership asset usage is proportional to shareholding so their is no over subscription, which is a common problem in many time share schemes. Although time share products will always have a place for entry level leisure or lifestyle purchases, private club ownership is growing in popularity, especially among individuals looking to buy into lifestyle assets for pure investment reasons. Added to his is the corporate perspective, where companies are able to offer holiday incentives to staff and use the accommodation for business travel purposes. Fractionals are for more exclusive and include may more luxury amenities and services than time shares. They tend to be larger homes, usually two to four bedrooms. Timeshares usually allow you use for just one to two weeks per year, fractional offer from two to 13 weeks and those don’t necessarily have to be consecutive weeks. Pick the weeks you want. With regard to financing, obtaining a bank or mortgage company loan on a timeshare is difficult. Rates are high, regardless of how good your credit. This is because it’s a well-known fact that most timeshares depreciate over time. Conversely banks and mortgage firms consider fractionals to be appreciating assets and will often treat them like any other second-home purchase. In high end resort real estate markets, fractional ownership and private residence clubs have emerged a rapidly growing alternative to whole ownership of luxury vacation homes. According to industry statistics, this area of ownership is growing at over 150% per year and is in its infancy. Research shows that while most private club owners could afford a whole owned vacation home, they selected to purchase a co-owned interest because of the logic of owning only the time they will spend at their vacation residence combined the added benefit of service and amenities that would not be available with ownership of a private home.

Explaining the Architecture of the Nature Studios

Szavanna — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:53:38 +0000

The Nature Studios are designed to have a complementary, rather than conflicting impact on the existing landscape. Natural rock formations and vegetation are to be left as undisturbed as far as possible. The Footprints of the units are to be minimal, with their structures consisting of a steel frame, with infill. Cut and Fill and foundation excavations will be kept to a minimum. Sue Clark, Architect on the project, attended a master class in Australia by Glenn Murcutt, an internationally respected Australia architect, leader in his field, to expand her knowledge regarding the philosophy of environmentally compatible design and response to site Murcutt has learnt much from the aboriginal people of Australia, and their understanding and respect for their land. He practises their belief of “touching the earth lightly” by ensuring that his structures have as little impact on their surroundings as possible. He has become well known for his “lightweight” buildings. This philosophy has a lot of relevance to our country and specifically to this beautiful, environmentally rich site. The first phase units are designed on two levels. The site is steep, with a view over a trout dam and down the valley. The living spaces are designed to open up completely, with an effect of being suspended on platforms between the trees and overlooking the water. Surplus stone from neighbouring quarries will be used in dry packed walls and gabions, to define parking areas, privacy screens, entrances and similar structures Visitors will arrive at their stone walled parking area and entrance on a higher level, overlooking the valley. Very little of the development will be visible from their arrival point . As they enter through the screen walls, they will discover how the site falls away to the water, and the view, and they will experience the transition of building materials to glass, steel and timber.

Explaining the Architecture of the Nature Studios

Szavanna — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:48:15 +0000

Fly-Fishing Competition Posponed to the 21st July 2007

Szavanna — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:57:05 +0000

The fly-fishing competition that was to be held on the 23rd June 2007 has been posponed to the 21st July 2007.

For further information and bookings for the competition please call our offices at (013) 272-7231

Fly-Fishing Update and Tips

Szavanna — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:42:09 +0000

The fishing has been remarkablely good with some 1.8kg fish been landed giving the angler a real taste of what The Valley of the Rainbow has to offer regarding the Fly-Fishing.

The temperatures have been moderate, with some frost in the mornings and warming up during the day, while the late afternoon temperatures start droping at 17:00.

Water temperature in the mornings at 06:00 are 3.5- 6.5 degrees c depending on frost fall then warming up to 9-14 degrees c at mid-day, leaving the late afternoons with a temperature of 16.5 degrees c, this is when the fishing is excellent.

The best flies to use in the mornings are Dragon and Damsel patterns (lake dragons, red eyed damsels, Mrs Simpson and all-rounder damsels) fish all these flies on a floating or intemediate lines and cast to the shallow parts of the lakes or dams, the trout swim these areas in the mornings in serch of food.

The afternoons can be great fishing with grass hopper patterns as wind blows most of these insects on to the water. Best flies to use are grass hoppers, DDD’s, or fish with a small strike indicator with a small beaded nymph about a metre apart and let the fly drift with the wind, the results are good.

Late afternoon consentrate on surface flies if fish are feeding from the surface, flies to use are Adams, Para adams, white death below surface. Targeting trout on dry fly is at its best and exciting.

Give all these tips a try or contact us for more information or a question and we will get back to you soon.

Tight lines.

New Eco Development Update

Szavanna — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:50:39 +0000

The new Valley of the Rainbow Eco development will soon be launched.

Watch this space for an invitiation to visit a presentation of this unique development.

The leisure investment is sectional title or fractional ownerhsip in environmental friendly designed Nature Studios and Hotel with Restaurants and a Natural Wellness SPA.

With Nature Studios set in indigenous forests, board walks over wetlands and bird hides, river frontage with picnic and fly fishing spots you will enjoy an unique experience with your family within a natural environment.

Your comments on the designs of the Nature Studios will be apprecieated

The concept is to combine a contemporary design wih natural materials including stone walls and raw wood screens

Do you have any environmental friendly design ideas for the Nature Studio for example energy and water saving ideas?

Any ideas welcome

Valley of the Rainbow Fly Fishing Competition:Program

Szavanna — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:10:29 +0000

Valley of the Rainbow Fly Fishing Competition

Saturday 23^rd June 2007

Registration, tea & coffee and rusks to be served 6:00

Dam Draw/receive catch cards 6:30

1^st Session Starts 11:00

1^st Session Ends 11:30

Lunch 12:00

Casting Demonstration with Chad from Blue Water Flies

Casting Competition with Bruce from the Village Angler

Lucky Draw from Senqui 12:30

2^nd Session Starts 16:30

2^nd Session Ends, handing in of catch cards 17:30

Prize Giving and Sundowners at the Dams 18:30

Dinner – Spit Braai & Salads at Manor House

Cash Bar will be available.

20 Male 20 Female Teams of two.

One male one female (marshal each other)

Marshalling will also be timed off between Grant, Bruce and Chad

First prize (longest length) individual

Second prize (largest fish) individual

Third prize (Marshals decision) team prize