Sleeps 12
2 Houses
6 Bedrooms
Adventure
Fishing
Secluded
Sleeps 12
2 Houses
6 Bedroom
Adventure
Fishing
Secluded
“Underberg has always held a quiet magic. It’s the kind of place where the rhythm of life slows down, and every view feels like a painting — green pastures rolling into the Drakensberg mountains, rivers glistening through the valleys, and mist that drifts gently across the fields in the early morning. It’s about nature, comfort, and connection — long walks, fireplaces, trout streams, and the sense of being part of something timeless.”
Glentowy captures all of this. Set against the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, it offers a refined country experience where landscape and lifestyle blend seamlessly. The air is fresh, the mountains close, and the days unfold in quiet harmony — whether you’re exploring the Sani Pass, riding through the meadows, or simply sitting on the veranda as the sun disappears behind the peaks.
The name Glentowy is steeped in old-world charm and drawn from ancient Celtic origins. “Glen” — from the Gaelic — speaks of a green valley carved gently by time, a place of refuge and quiet beauty. “Towy” traces to both the Scottish Highlands and the Welsh Afon Tywi, meaning peaceful river or spring of calm waters. Together, they form “the valley of the tranquil river” — a name that feels perfectly at home beneath the watchful peaks of the Drakensberg.
Here, rivers meander through open pasture, mist rolls over the fields at dawn, and evenings settle in with the scent of pine and the sound of distant streams. Glentowy is more than a name — it’s a promise of stillness, renewal, and belonging to the landscape itself.
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At the heart of Glentowy stands the Johann Slee House, a masterpiece of contextual architecture and recipient of an Award of Merit from the KwaZulu-Natal Institute of Architects in 1995. Designed with both restraint and warmth, the home is constructed from 7,000 hand-laid sandstone blocks, each weighing around 50 kilograms, and bound together with 35,000 solid brass screws — a testament to meticulous detail and timeless durability. The materials are honest and elemental: Lesotho sandstone for the walls, Malaysian teak reclaimed from railway sleepers for the frames, and generous spaces that open directly onto terraces facing the river and sun.
Inside, the design celebrates simplicity and connection. The hearth forms the heart of the home, separating living and dining spaces while drawing family and guests together around its quiet warmth. The palette is deliberately restrained — stone, wood, and light — creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and deeply grounded. Every surface carries the mark of human craft, yet feels entirely of the landscape itself.
Glentowy is more than a house; it is an expression of place and permanence. It captures the essence of its name — “the valley of peaceful waters” — and stands as a tribute to thoughtful design, patience, and enduring beauty. Set against the Drakensberg’s vast horizons, it offers refuge, inspiration, and a profound sense of belonging — a home built not just to be lived in, but to be felt.
Glentowy is a remarkable 64-hectare estate set on a north-facing hillside along the banks of the Mzimkulu River — famed for its trout fishing and the annual Drak Challenge Canoe Race. The property spans both sides of the river, ensuring privacy and uninterrupted views of the Southern Drakensberg. The park-like gardens, home to over 1,500 indigenous trees, complete this rare sanctuary of design, nature, and seclusion.
glentowy farm
The Homestead (“The House”)
- The main homestead is a five-bedroom, three-bathroom sandstone farm house, designed to host 10 to 14 guests.
- Each of the five rooms has its own view — several with river views, one with forest views, one with pond views.
- The interior features include three fireplaces, generous windows and stack-away doors to bring in light and connect to the outdoors, and a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, and living areas.
- The house is off-grid (i.e. no load-shedding interruptions) and is built to integrate with the landscape along the river, with river frontage and natural gardens around.
The Cottage
- In addition to the main house, there is a separate cottage on the property, ideal when you need extra space or more privacy.
- The cottage accommodates up to 4 people.
- It includes 1 bedroom (double bed), 1 bathroom, a lounge area with a sofa bed, and a kitchenette with basic appliances.
- The cottage shares garden and river access with the main property, but offers a more private, self-contained stay.
Facilities at Glentowy
Set on a private 64-hectare estate along the banks of the Mzimkulu River, Glentowy offers a refined blend of luxury, comfort, and connection with nature. Every element has been carefully considered to ensure a stay that feels both secluded and effortless.
Accommodation & Comfort
- Two exclusive self-catering options — The House and The Cottage — both fully equipped for relaxed living.
- Generous living areas with three fireplaces, stack-away doors, and panoramic river views.
- High-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the buildings on the property.
- Daily cleaning staff maintain the spaces, ensuring comfort without intrusion.
- Fully equipped kitchens with quality appliances, along with laundry facilities and all household essentials.
Outdoors & Nature
- Over 1 km of private river frontage, ideal for swimming, canoeing, or fly-fishing.
- Expansive landscaped gardens, with more than 1,500 indigenous trees and wide lawns that slope toward the river.
- Scenic walking and hiking trails through wildflower-covered hills and open grasslands.
- Terraces and outdoor seating areas for picnics, sundowners, or quiet reading by the water.
Convenience & Security
- Ample secure parking for guests.
- Off-grid power ensures uninterrupted comfort.
- 24-hour access and private gated entry.
- Pet-friendly stays available by prior arrangement.
Rates
Rates are available on request and vary according to the season, length of stay, and number of guests.
- The Homestead accommodates up to 10 guests and offers the full Glentowy experience — river frontage, fireplaces, and generous living areas designed for gathering and relaxation.
- The Cottage provides a more intimate retreat for up to 4 guests, ideal for couples or smaller families.
- Tailored rates are available for exclusive-use bookings, extended stays, events, and film or photography shoots.
All stays include high-speed Wi-Fi, daily cleaning service, and access to the property’s landscaped gardens, river frontage, and scenic walking trails.
Policies
- Minimum stay: 2 nights over weekends and public holidays.
- No pets allowed unless prior arrangement
- Check-in: 14h00
- Check-out: 10h00
Optional Extras
Enhance your stay with a range of curated experiences and bespoke services, available by prior arrangement:
- Private catering or chef-prepared meals featuring local and seasonal produce.
- Guided fly-fishing on the Mzimkulu River and nearby streams.
- Canoe or tubing excursions, depending on river conditions.
- Grocery pre-stocking prior to arrival.
- Daily firewood delivery and evening turndown service.
- Concierge arrangements for horse riding, Sani Pass excursions, or art and coffee routes in Underberg and Himeville.
Guest Collection Service
To make your journey effortless, Glentowy offers a private collection and transfer service for guests travelling from either Pietermaritzburg or King Shaka International Airport (Durban).
- The service is provided in a comfortable 13-seater minibus (accommodating approximately three families) with a dedicated luggage trailer for all cargo and equipment.
- If the property is booked for one week or longer, this transfer is complimentary.
- For shorter stays, standard transfer rates apply and can be quoted upon enquiry.
At Glentowy, time seems to soften. Hidden in a private valley along the Mzimkulu River, surrounded by rolling hills and open skies, the estate offers a rare stillness — a place where beauty unfolds slowly and every hour brings its own reward.
- The joy of being completely secluded in a working farm setting, cocooned in nature and rhythm of the land.
- Watching the colours of the landscape shift throughout the day — from soft misty mornings to golden afternoons and violet evenings — each moment painting a new portrait of the Drakensberg.
- The gentle calm of the sandstone and timber home, its earthy tones blending into the landscape and creating a warm, rustic sense of belonging.
- Children running freely across the lawns or exploring the river’s edge, laughter carried on the breeze as they splash in the shallows and find adventure in every corner.
- Wandering down to the river at dawn, coffee in hand, as the birds begin their morning chorus and sunlight spills across the water.
- Sharing a long, firelit evening with friends — a meal cooked slowly, stories exchanged, and the soft crackle of wood echoing through the valley.
Every visit to Glentowy brings moments that can’t be staged or scripted — they emerge quietly, from the land itself. From the glow of sunset on stone to the sound of rain on the roof, each experience becomes a memory — simple, authentic, and lasting.
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