Welcome to Nottingham Estate Resorts – Somewhere special to experience

Nottingham Estate is situated on the banks of the mighty Limpopo River which forms the geographical boundary between Zimbabwe and our neighbour South Africa. It’s just outside the border town of Beitbridge which is one of the busiest border crossings in the region.

The town of Beitbridge is quite small and accommodation options are relatively limited so the luxurious choices at Nottingham Estate are very tempting for travellers to and from the southern border for an overnight stay to refresh and revive themselves. It’s just a few kilometres off the main highway, and although fairly remote and in a pristine area, can be easily accessed by road without the need for a specialised 4×4 vehicle. It’s a dusty road but in good condition.

Nottingham Retreat offers seven air-conditioned chalets with a fridge and a kettle. There is one chalet with two bedrooms and one with three bedrooms – with en suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, lounge and dining areas and private verandahs. They can accommodate 4 to 6 people comfortably, making it perfect for families or small groups to stay for a while.

It is situated on the waterfront of Mashilichokwe Dam which offers over 7 kilometres of waterfront with prolific bass and bream fishing as well as diverse bird life and other wildlife including hippos and crocs—so the relatively newly built dam has created its own ecosystem amid natural rocky outcrops and indigenous Mopani and Baobab trees. Apart from the great fishing, it’s an unspoilt wildlife paradise. You can bring your own boat or boats are available to hire.

While Nottingham Retreat is more sophisticated, the other option is Kuduland Lodge, which is slightly more rustic. TripAdvisor has awarded Kuduland Lodge a full five stars, so you know it must be up to discerning international standards.

Kuduland Lodge offers six thatched cottages, which are air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms, a kettle and a fridge. These chalets sleep two people each, and there are an additional five chalets with fans and en suite bathrooms which sleep four people. There’s a pool area for chilling out in the heat of the day and meals can be served in the thatched lapa or under the trees.

The Fly Camp is a totally unique experience for both local and international travellers. During the citrus season – from May to September— fruit from the farm that has been pulped or is not fit for the market is distributed for the local wildlife to feed on. Herds of up to 300 elephants are often seen relishing the special fruity treat. A variety of other animals, including baboons and antelope also visit the feeding site in large numbers. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the game close up in a safe and comfortable environment. It was originally designed as a viewing and entertainment platform, but with prior booking guests can enjoy a special three course meal on site to add to the unique experience. During the feeding season travellers can also enjoy a tour of the orange factory, which is quite fascinating.

At Nottingham Estate Resorts there are many activities available so if you get tired of just chilling out and unwinding you can enjoy sunset cruises on the dam or game drives. The area also has a rich history and heritage for visitors to take in.

There are the visits to the ancient Bushman (or San people) cave sites, grain bins and some of the best examples of prehistoric rock paintings and engravings.

There’s also the remarkably well preserved dinosaur fossils on the nearby Sentinel Ranch which date back millions of years something truly exceptional to see.

The current history of the Estate dates back to the 1950s when the land was purchased from the then Rhodesian government by the brothers Bertie and Bennie Knott. The land was completely undeveloped and in a fairly arid area so it was not initially deemed suitable for agriculture. While living in tough conditions the family began clearing land to plant potatoes, melons and squash and to fence off some paddocks for rearing cattle. In 1958 the first citrus trees were planted which are still bearing fruit today. In the same year more permanent houses for the family and farm managers and staff were constructed – some of which were knocked down by the local elephants before they were finished!

The farm only received electricity in 1973 by which time cattle, cotton and wheat farming were becoming established.

The land was passed down through the family over the years – and is still family owned and managed. In 1980, due to the persistent droughts, the family decided to move away from cattle ranching and diversify into game farming.

The first Kuduland Lodges were built, initially just three chalets along the bank of the Limpopo River, and slowly became popular with local and international safari hunters. In 1993 a dam was built on the Mashilichokwe River, a tributary of the Limpopo River, mainly to provide irrigation for the citrus estate. In 2006 Nottingham Re-treat was built which consisted of 8 chalets and it quickly became a hidden gem for fishermen.

In 2008 the family moved away from hunting safaris and began developing into eco-tourism for travellers to experience the unspoilt flora and fauna for game viewing, birding, sustainable fishing and an appreciation of the stunning environment.

In 2016 the Estate took on two more development projects to diversify their interests and support the running of the farm. A second dam, named Mpande, was built to provide additional water for the citrus estate as well as clean drinking water for all the households and lodges.

The area is experiencing extended droughts and the Limpopo River is becoming more saline as water levels drop, so the dam is crucial for future water management, especially as demands on the Lim-popo River increase. In addition, they have installed a solar power plant to provide electricity for the farm and the various households.

Nottingham Estate is set to prosper and develop more into a bright future – well worth a visit for locals and international tourists. It’s a special destination and offers so many fascinating activities it should be on everyone’s bucket list.

It’s a bit off the beaten path of the usual tourist destinations like Victoria Falls or Kariba or Hwange but well worth the visit.

From: Destination ZW 12