Perched on the edge of the Kloof Gorge is Ruby Skies Lodge with its breath-taking views down the cliffs into the
gorge. This intense landscape is accentuated by a waterfall, which, in the rainy months can be heard thundering
into the depths. To the east is a panoramic view over the dense indigenous bush of the Krantzkloof Nature
Reserve and the gorge, to the sea sparkling in the distance.
For bird lovers, this is a top destination. Martial Eagles nest opposite the lodge, and these magnificent raptors are
frequently seen soaring on thermals and interacting with each other. Every couple of years, there is the added
treat of seeing their young take to the skies. Other avian residents of this spectacular gorge are Purple-crested
turaco, Trumpeter and Crowned hornbill, Paradise flycatcher, Red-chested cuckoo, Violet woodhoopoe,
Yellowbilled kite, Black-headed oriole, various sunbirds – the list goes on. Bushbuck are seen moving in the
veldgrass, and one even took up residence in the
boma at the swimming pool.
The pool, built to resemble a natural rock pool,
adjoins a boma with an open fire-pit. Alongside is a
twig-roofed cave-like pub built into the hillside,
providing a cool rock retreat in which to enjoy the
meal just cooked over the fire.
With the Parks Board’s permission, a style has been
built over the fence enabling guests to enter the Reserve and sit on the cliff edge, or walk, enjoying different
facets of this Reserve’s stunning beauty. The Parks Board does guided walks along the different trails of the
gorge. Rock climbers are well catered for, with pins in the cliff faces, allowing them to abseil and climb.
The lodge is centrally situated. The village of Kloof with its Country Club’s 18 hole golf course and the beautiful
gardens of Makaranga is 5 minutes away; bustling Hillcrest, 7 minutes; Waterfall with a cinema, 3 minutes; all
with restaurants, banks, gyms, supermarkets, shops, etc. The commercial centres of Pinetown, Westmead, New
Germany, Hammarsdale are 15 minutes away. The Pavilion Shopping Mall and the corporate office blocks of
Westville, 18 minutes. Seven minutes to the N3 which will have you in Durban, its beaches and the ICC in 25
minutes, Umhlanga’s beaches and Gateway Theatre of Shopping in 30 minutes, and the Airport in 35 minutes. From the lodge it is 10 minutes to the Valley of 1000 Hills and
its African Village and Zulu dancing, and 30 minutes to Tala Game Reserve. The Northern KZN Game Reserves are two and a half hours away, where one of the World
Heritage Sites is, at the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The other World Heritage Site is at uKhahlamba-
Drakensberg Park in the Drakensberg Mountains, two and a half hours away. One hour will have you on the
Midlands Meander.
The lodge is thatched with slate floors and
bathroom walls, and there is a rock fireplace in the
lounge and a TV with DStv. A Knysna-log
staircase and overhead walkway in the double-
volume dominates the lounge, dining area, pub
and open-plan kitchen. The walkway links two
separate mezzanine areas. One leads out onto a
deck with stunning views.
Two en suite bedrooms are
downstairs, one of which opens out onto a
verandah. The large verandah off the lounge with
its seductive views and braai facilities, lends itself
to long lunches; and there’s an additional boma
with open fire-pit alongside for fun evenings of
stargazing.
With its situation on the edge of the gorge, it is well off the road and out of sight, making this unique character
lodge a secure place to slip off to for a bush experience in suburbia. Whether a leisure getaway or a retreat for
people on business, this is where you’ll find privacy, beauty and tranquillity.
gorge. This intense landscape is accentuated by a waterfall, which, in the rainy months can be heard thundering
into the depths. To the east is a panoramic view over the dense indigenous bush of the Krantzkloof Nature
Reserve and the gorge, to the sea sparkling in the distance.
For bird lovers, this is a top destination. Martial Eagles nest opposite the lodge, and these magnificent raptors are
frequently seen soaring on thermals and interacting with each other. Every couple of years, there is the added
treat of seeing their young take to the skies. Other avian residents of this spectacular gorge are Purple-crested
turaco, Trumpeter and Crowned hornbill, Paradise flycatcher, Red-chested cuckoo, Violet woodhoopoe,
Yellowbilled kite, Black-headed oriole, various sunbirds – the list goes on. Bushbuck are seen moving in the
veldgrass, and one even took up residence in the
boma at the swimming pool.
The pool, built to resemble a natural rock pool,
adjoins a boma with an open fire-pit. Alongside is a
twig-roofed cave-like pub built into the hillside,
providing a cool rock retreat in which to enjoy the
meal just cooked over the fire.
With the Parks Board’s permission, a style has been
built over the fence enabling guests to enter the Reserve and sit on the cliff edge, or walk, enjoying different
facets of this Reserve’s stunning beauty. The Parks Board does guided walks along the different trails of the
gorge. Rock climbers are well catered for, with pins in the cliff faces, allowing them to abseil and climb.
The lodge is centrally situated. The village of Kloof with its Country Club’s 18 hole golf course and the beautiful
gardens of Makaranga is 5 minutes away; bustling Hillcrest, 7 minutes; Waterfall with a cinema, 3 minutes; all
with restaurants, banks, gyms, supermarkets, shops, etc. The commercial centres of Pinetown, Westmead, New
Germany, Hammarsdale are 15 minutes away. The Pavilion Shopping Mall and the corporate office blocks of
Westville, 18 minutes. Seven minutes to the N3 which will have you in Durban, its beaches and the ICC in 25
minutes, Umhlanga’s beaches and Gateway Theatre of Shopping in 30 minutes, and the Airport in 35 minutes. From the lodge it is 10 minutes to the Valley of 1000 Hills and
its African Village and Zulu dancing, and 30 minutes to Tala Game Reserve. The Northern KZN Game Reserves are two and a half hours away, where one of the World
Heritage Sites is, at the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The other World Heritage Site is at uKhahlamba-
Drakensberg Park in the Drakensberg Mountains, two and a half hours away. One hour will have you on the
Midlands Meander.
The lodge is thatched with slate floors and
bathroom walls, and there is a rock fireplace in the
lounge and a TV with DStv. A Knysna-log
staircase and overhead walkway in the double-
volume dominates the lounge, dining area, pub
and open-plan kitchen. The walkway links two
separate mezzanine areas. One leads out onto a
deck with stunning views.
Two en suite bedrooms are
downstairs, one of which opens out onto a
verandah. The large verandah off the lounge with
its seductive views and braai facilities, lends itself
to long lunches; and there’s an additional boma
with open fire-pit alongside for fun evenings of
stargazing.
With its situation on the edge of the gorge, it is well off the road and out of sight, making this unique character
lodge a secure place to slip off to for a bush experience in suburbia. Whether a leisure getaway or a retreat for
people on business, this is where you’ll find privacy, beauty and tranquillity.
