Idwala Game Lodge Overview & Comments

Overview & Comments

Built on the original farm Rockcliff, Idwala Game Lodge is set against a dramatic rock cliff which gave rise to its name – Idwala means ‘rock’ in the Zulu language. 

Rockcliff was first farmed by the brothers, William and John Austin from England.  The original farmhouse, which was built in 1839, was next occupied by the Thomas family and in 1886 became the site of the Rockcliff Grammar School for Boys until its closing in 1922. 

The farm was acquired by the Du Toit family from Port Elizabeth in 1973.  They stopped farming in 1990 and re-introduced game that occurs naturally in the Eastern Cape.  Now living in the original farmhouse, the Du Toit family own and manage Idwala Lodge. They designed the lodge and using local craftsmen, began building in April 2005.  The lodge, which embraces nature with luxurious, contemporary African décor, welcomed its first guests on 6 November 2005. 

Many close friends and a local Xhosa family that has assisted the Du Toit family for more than twenty years form part of the team that welcomes guests and makes their stay at Idwala extraordinarily special.