PAKAMISA
PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Dawn breaks over serene
Pakamisa -
a private piece of
heaven!
A
youthful Isabella von Stepski on her beloved pure-bred Arabian
stallion, Baron, who epitomised the rare qualities of nobility, beauty
and energy.
When
Isabella von Stepski first saw the breathtaking view from the pinnacle
of the majestic Pakamisa Mountain, overlooking the Pongola river and the sweeping plains through the valley, she knew that she had
found her private piece of heaven. Solitary,
remote almost untouchable
and bathed in cool mountain breezes.
The
2500 hectares reserve is in northern Zululand, only
15 km from the small town of sub-topical Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal.
Humid, but as you ascend, the temperature cools and the terrain merges
into bushveld. The
temperate climate, unlike Austria, was ideal for Isabella, an expert
horsewoman, offering the dual
possibilities of breeding her beloved pure-bred Arabian horses together with
her vision for a five star lodge. A vision that she shares with her
partner, Anthony Worsdale, vital, energetic and totally committed to
their joint enterprise.
Pakamisa (a Zulu word meaning
'to
lift up') represented a fresh challenge
and took four backbreaking years to build.
A base camp was established for the immense task - every brick had to travel up
torturous winding paths! Isabella thrived on this formidable undertaking.
Today
this Private Game Reserve offers
utter relaxation of mind, body and soul. Ideal for
those who wish to explore the wilderness, restored to its original pristine state.
Andalusia in Spain was Isabella von Stepski's home for 17 years. She was known far
and wide both as a superb breeder and expert on Arabian horses and for
her luxurious
guest villa. Born
into a privileged world in Austria, her life revolved around her
equestrian pursuits where, at a young age, she realised that horses were
a passion for life.
As she grew up,
a top hotel school in Salzburg, Schlossklessheim International Hotel Academy beckoned.
These intensive years introduced her to her second love; the world of hospitality
and fostered her great interest, understanding and enthusiasm for cuisine,
culminating in the very fine table at Pakamisa.
Early
evening stroll to the chalets through the Euphorbia and Ivory trees.
Eight serene suites with high ceilings are cool in summer and amazingly
cosy in
winter.
Airy,
capacious and
utterly comfortable.
Beds dressed with superb linen and down cushions.
Snowy white waffle weave embroidered gowns. Large immaculate bathrooms have glass enclosed showers. The sitting room and
wide verandas overlook the captivating views that stretch into infinity,
where you can enjoy the early mornings sipping a choice of teas from
Earl Grey to Organic Green in blissful serenity.
Leisurely
breakfasts, superbly served, reflect Isabella's thoughtful menu
planning - a visual feast and an abundance of flavours!
Homemade
muesli; crisp and crunchy, served with smooth plain yoghurt and an
array of fresh fruits.
Separate
platters of choice prepared meats are served; fine slices of rosy ham, smoked
sausages and spicy salamis are enjoyed with special freshly baked
breads. One, a combination of brown and rye flour, another makes piping
hot, crunchy white toast. All delicious with choice excellent cheeses;
chèvre, a delicate cream cheese, a
fine blue, camembert and crisp nuts; pecans and almonds. Follow with a full hot
breakfast. Poached eggs or light fluffy omelettes to order, superb with creamy mushrooms and grilled tomato.
A
day out - Exhilarating! The routine at Pakamisa is completely flexible and tailored to suit you.
Well organised
guided horseback safaris on superbly trained Arabian horses, dressed
with the finest tack, are a must. You do not need to be an experienced
rider to enjoy this enthralling experience. Meander in the vast
wilderness at your own pace without disturbing the animals, as the horses, bred and raised on the reserve, move among
them seamlessly. During the ride, delightful picnics are set under a canopy of
trees, overlooking the river - time to pause and reflect.
Explore
Pakamisa game driving with excellent guides, who share a fund of fascinating information and
anecdotes on the environment, and
abundant wildlife. See giraffe, zebra,
waterbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey and red duikers, steenbok and
klipspringers. Bird lovers enthuse about the plethora of rich birdlife, about 280 species!
Magnificent eagles; Wahlberg's, crowned and tawny eagles. Spot a colony of rare bald
ibises, brown-hooded kingfishers or brilliantly
coloured sunbirds. Glimpse Cape rock thrushes, hornbills or purple crested
louries- an impressive array.
Nearby have
a round of golf
in Pongola. Day trips include tiger fishing in the Jozini dam or
boat trips where you view rhinos, hippos and the sleek
crocodiles. Clay pigeon shooting or archery with professional
instructors can be arranged.
The
table at Pakamisa is a reward for the palate!
Attention is
lavished on really fresh pure ingredients.
Isabella shared her expertise, enthusiasm
and love for good cooking with her two talented cooks, Sonto and Philile, from the
very first day they began. The basis of the kitchen at Pakamisa is classic
and over the years *&* have developed into confident chefs producing
exciting contemporary menus, a reward for palate!
The immaculate, large interleading
kitchens flow into the potager, where they
grow fresh salad leaves, an array of lettuces, spinach, spring onions and herbs; fennel,
basil and thyme.
Crisp salads are a special delight
when lunching at Pakamisa during the long summery days.
Spears of fresh green
asparagus are sprinkled with fennel and drizzled with vitamin packed
avocado oil dressing and served with crisp slices of pancetta. Salad
leaves from the garden mingle with tomatoes, snow peas, yellow peppers fine
slivers of red onion, feta and are tossed with nutty guacamole. Vegetable
lasagne is made with delicate sheets
of pasta layered with grilled aubergine, mushrooms, peppers,
courgettes and a creamy but not too rich sauce, judiciously seasoned and
the top lightly crisped under the grill.
Chess
in the intimate library, inviting for a quiet moment.
Handsome Arabian horses, renowned for their amazing speed and endurance,
immortalised in superb bronzes by Wim Van Belen.
Pakamisa
a place for all seasons!
Warming fires in
winter in the lounge, where Isabella has her collection of African
artefacts gathered from Mali, Kenya, Tanzania and Swaziland. Her
nostalgia for years spent in Spain is reflected in the eclectic blend of
African and Spanish furnishings; deep burgundy soft leather, chocolate and cinnamon
hues with flashes of brilliant blue.
Drifting mists,
sunlight breaking through, emerald green plains stretch into
infinity.
Indigenous trees,
thoughtfully reintroduced have been planted
around the lodge; Fever trees,
Common wild pear, Transvaal milkplum, marula, Sneeze woods and large
Weeping boer-bean.
A
bewitching view of the El Prado restaurant, designed to
echo the architecture and unique Spanish style.
There
is a warm, inviting ambiance when you dine at El Prada, listed among
South Africa's Top 100.
Sample
wines from their comprehensive cellar. A great deal of thought has gone into the compilation of
their wine list, which reflects both knowledge and personal taste. There
is a well balanced, extensive collection of award winning wines
from the Cape, as well as those that Isabella and Anthony have chosen for
their particular appeal.
An
intimate candlelit four course dinner menu, which changes each day - a
tour de force of intriguing flavours. Choice fresh vegetables and light
aromatic sauces complement each dish to perfection!
Incomparable
vegetable soups; spinach and broccoli, in brilliant hues, made with
excellent stock. A
signature starter; delectable piping hot camembert wedges wrapped in light
crisp and golden phyllo with a deeply flavoured cranberry sauce. Mains
include tender ostrich steaks and rare grilled honeyed tuna on a bed of
roasted vegetables introducing colour, texture and flavour.
The sweet surprise of Pakamisa!
Delicate,
scrumptious desserts
a sheer delight. Piping hot soufflés pop out of the oven, each
one a marvel of precision, not one dares to flop. Fragile, crisp,
buttery biscuit layers tower with vanilla scented chantilly cream, kiwis
and strawberry slices. Ice cream made with fresh cream and exotic fruit
flavoured sorbets are a speciality of the house. Desserts at Pakamisa
echo the legendary sweets of Vienna as well as those that are in the tradition of
classic English country
house puddings.
For
recipes of Pakamisa's sweet surprise click here.
PAKAMISA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
P.O. Box 1097, Pongola, 3170, South Africa
Tel: +27 (34) 413-3559 Fax: +27 (34) 413-1817
E-mail: pakamisa@pakamisa.co.za
Website: www.pakamisa.co.za
Manley
Communications
Publicity & Public Relations Consultants
A
Showcook
Production
Photography by Franz Lauinger
