The
Antbear B&B offers hospitable bed and breakfast accommodation in the
Estcourt region. It was originally built in the 1940's and has recently
been restored by sculptor Bruce Attwood. The Antbear B&B gets its name from
the previous resident, who lived beneath the floor boards before restoration.
Eccentrically refurbished using wood gathered in the surrounding valleys, the Antbear B&B combines comfort with a unique environment.
Using a fifty-year-old outhouse for the basic framework, Bruce created a unique guest house and home in the rural hinterland of Kwazulu-Natal. The original structure consisted of two traditional rondavels, or thatch covered huts, connected by a stoep, or veranda with an overhead trellis. Perched on a kind of natural platform overlooking the Bushman's river, the house has panoramic views of the Drakensberg Mountains for 160 Km.
Relax, enjoy the view, take walks around the farm and savor the delicious food prepared by Andrew and Conny. The nearest town to the Antbear B&B is Estcourt. There is a lot to be seen and done in the area. Experience some exquisite bushman rock art at Kamberg or drive up to Giants Castle and spend some time in the mountains. Day walks or overnight stays in the caves or mountain huts are both possible and very worthwhile. For those of you who are fanatical about trout then you'll find yourself in the right area. The safari feeling can be found in the Weenen or Spieonkop game reserves and of course the midlands meander offers plenty of opportunity to buy some local craftwork or just have a nice drive.
Meals are part of the real surprises that the Antbear B&B has on offer, as home made cooking is an essential part of the menu. We like to use our own home grown organic vegetables and if we haven't got, then we lean heavily on those local providers with similar attitudes to our own. We both like cooking and are up to changing just about anything to suit tastes or philosophies. Our cooking experience is in part a journal, a record of events and memories expressed in recipes. In the course of our travels we have filed away many recipes and with them images of people and places and their lives. How food tastes has much to do with the associations we make and if you would like to hear the tales of our meals we would love to tell them.