Frequently Asked Questions

Access to Rockwood Mountain Lodge and Rockwood Forest Lodge is recommended by 4×4 and high clearance vehicles only. The roads are rocky and slippery when wet. Farm roads can be muddy after heavy rain. 

Reservations can typically be made online through our website, via a travel booking site, calling us directly on +27-73-465-4335 or by sending a Whatsapp with your details.

Bookings are held for five working days only. A 50% deposit may be required to secure a booking if booking direct or through other sites. Reservations are only confirmed on receipt of payment in full at least seven (7) days prior to arrival.  

As a small establishment with limited resources, our cancellation policy has had to adapt to suit the needs of travellers. Cancellations seven days prior to arrival are not refundable. We may charge a small administration fee for all other cancellations. The policy is detailed in the booking confirmation.

Payments can be made via EFT or using a secure credit card link. We do not accept debit cards.  

Reservations dates can be modified up to seven days before arrival. Please call the office or send an email and this will be attended to during normal office hours.  
 

Pets are only considered by prior arrangement and in certain units. All units are located on either a working farm or within the unfenced nature reserve. Dogs that are unaccustomed to the lifestyle may chase the game, scare the otters in the nearby dams and rivers and become a danger to themselves. Small dogs may be eaten by eagles or caracal. A pet and cleaning deposit will be required. As with guests, Rockwood can accept no liability for their safety. 

Rockwood Farm House and Rockwood Farm Cottage have cell-phone reception and WiFi.

Rockwood Mountain Cabin has intermittent cell-phone reception and no WiFi.

Rockwood Forest Lodge has no WiFi and limited cell-phone reception from outside the lodge, in the carpark or at th edge of the forest.  
 

Children of all ages are welcome. However, our dams and rivers are unfenced and not safe for people who cannot swim. Children should be supervised when enjoying the views or are close to the water.

The Karkloof is a malaria FREE area. 
 

Rockwood does not offer a shuttle service. However, if transport is required please contact the Manager who will be able to recommend options. 

In difficult weather conditions, we can transport guests from Rockwood Reception to Rockwood Mountain Lodge and Rockwood Forest Lodge at an additional fee.

Our daily rates are per night per lodge and inclusive of VAT for the number of beds in each unit. Additional charges may be incurred for unexpected guests, breakages, day visitors, events, extra towels and additional condiments. 

The Karkloof Canopy Tour offers special rates for Rockwood guests. Please let them know you are staying with us when booking or ask our reservation staff for assistance. 

Check In:    15.00 
Check Out: 10.00

As Rockwood operates in a remote area, we encourage our guests to notify us of their arrival time and to proceed to our office / reception to "check-in." Although, all units are sign-posted, staff can assist with directions, guidance on muddy roads and ensure that guests are settled into their accommodation. Should guests wish to proceed directly to their lodges, please let management and staff know so that gates are open, units are unlocked, keys are available, and alarms disarmed.

Late check in and check out is possible by prior arrangement with the lodge manager and only if the unit is not booked.

Early check-in and late check-out may be available upon request from management only and are subject to availability. There may be additional charges.

All linen, towels and basic bathroom amenities including soap, shampoo and body lotion are provided.  
 
All lodges have ample parking. Rockwood Farm House and Rockwood Farm Cottage have covered parking.  
 
All units, except Rockwood Mountain Lodge have access to children’s play area with jungle gym and zip line or trampoline. 

The water in all units is safe for drinking. The water comes directly from the nearby rivers and is filtered before entering the units. Occasionally, especially after very heavy rains, the water may appear murky at Forest Lodge or Mountain Cabin. However, the water poses no health threat.

All units are serviced one a day between 09.00 and 13.00. Daily servicing includes washing dishes, making beds and sweeping the main areas. We do provide a limited laundry service at an additional charge.

Rockwood Farm House or Rockwood Farm Cottage may request a second afternoon service between 14.00 and 15.00.

Due to the location of Rockwood Forest Lodge and Rockwood Mountain Cabin, a second service is not possible.

A code for the farm gate will be sent to you via Whatsapp prior to your arrival.

A valid identity document or passport and the credit card used for booking may be required at check-in. 

Yes, all lodges are sign-posted. As Rockwood operates in a remote area, we encourage our guests to notify us of their arrival time and to proceed to our office / reception to "check-in." Although, all units are sign-posted, staff can assist with directions, assistance on muddy roads and ensure that guests are settled into their accommodation. Should guests wish to proceed directly to their lodges, please let management and staff know so that gates are open, keys are available, lodges are unlocked and alarms disarmed.

Please note that ROCKWOOD FOREST LODGE and ROCKWOOD MOUNTAIN CABIN are accessible using HIGH CLEARANCE or 4x4 VEHICLES ONLY. ROCKWOOD FARM HOUSE and FARM COTTAGE are accessed on gravel roads.

The farm is tucked away at the end of a road with controlled, gate access. Cameras are operational at the entrance to the farm and throughout the Karkloof area. All units have alarms connected to Knight Security. Magma Security patrols the area and the farm regularly. Rockwood management are in contact with all security organisations in the area. 

Rockwood Farm House and Rockwood Farm Cottage have an electric fence surrounding the perimeter. 

Three units have fireplaces and firewood is provided. Mountain Cabin runs on solar and does not have a fireplace. All rooms have oil and gas heaters for the colder months. 

Rockwood Farm House Main Bedroom has underfloor heating.

Rockwood Farm House and Rockwood Farm Cottage have fans in all bedrooms. 

Granulated coffee that can be used in the coffee plunger and bialetti, tea (five roses and rooibos), sugar, 1L of full cream long-life milk, salt, pepper, oil and basic spices are provided, as well as a complimentary bottle of wine and box of biscuits. 

All lodges have variations of fridge-freezer, convection-microwave oven or stove, kettle, toaster, Bialetti, coffee plunger, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, and baking utensils. Please see the individual unit descriptions for a full list of appliances as they may vary from unit to unit. 

Howick is the closest town for grocery shopping and is 17km or 20-40 minute drive depending on which unit guests are staying in. There are local establishments along the way for various items, notably the Mushroom Farm and on Saturday mornings, the Karkloof Farmer's Market is also fun. 

Yes, please. We would really like to know how our guests experienced each lodge, particularly if things are broken or require maintenance to ensure that we maintain certain standards and fix things timeously. Guest assistance in alerting us via our maintenance forms available in each lodge is highly appreciated. 

No. There is no direct vehicle access to the Karkloof Canopy Tour from the eastern side of the reserve. However, prior arrangement can be made to unlock the top gate for guests at Rockwood Mountain Lodge who have a prior booked for the Canopy Tour. 

For all other units, please exit the farm through the main entrance gate, and turn left at the crossroad to proceed to the Karkloof Canopy Tour. 

Your safety is our top priority. Should you be unable to locate our management or staff for assistance, please call South Africa's national toll-free emergency 112 and ask for assistance. 
Calling 112 will connect you to your local emergency medical dispatch centre. A trained operator will assess the situation and dispatch the necessary services, such as an ambulance, fire brigade, or police, according to EmergiVac. 
 
Rockwood all hour number - 073 465 4335
Rockwood manager, Sue Stratford - 078 169 0041

Alternatively, please see specific contact details below: 
Local Hospital, Howick Private Hospital - 033 330 2456 
Police / Non-emergency, Howick Police - 033 239 9339 
Security, Magma Security Control Room - 031 785 1166 
Fire department, Howick Fire Department - 0800 033 911 

Please drop keys at reception on departure or leave with staff if they are in the lodges. 

We’d Love to Hear About Your Stay! 
Your feedback means the world to us, and it helps future guests discover the beauty of Rockwood Karkloof Lodges too. Sharing your experience is quick and easy, and we’ve made sure there are a few simple ways to leave a review, depending on how you made your reservation: 
 
Booked directly with us? 
You’ll receive an email from NightsBridge about a week after your visit, with a quick link to leave a review on TripAdvisor. It only takes a minute, and we read every word with appreciation! 
 
Booked through Booking.com? 
Keep an eye out for an email from Booking.com with a direct link to leave your review – it usually arrives a few days after your stay. 
 
Prefer leaving a Google Review? 
We’d love that too! Simply search for Rockwood Karkloof Lodges on Google and click on “Write a Review” on our profile.

Or use the link below on TripAdvisor.
 
No matter which platform you choose, your review helps us grow and keeps our team inspired to keep creating unforgettable stays in the Karkloof.