ABout Us

The Story

Our Story Behind The Luxury Hotel

Tranquility through nature, Luxury by design.

All the benefits of modern luxuries, in a traditional countryside setting. Akabeko Boutique Hotel is situated on a working cattle farm. Experience the luxury of time at Akabeko Boutique Hotel. Hidden in the Valleys of the Mpumalanga Mountains and nestled amongst the lush gardens along the Hoppe River.

Expect to find 7 stylish Suites, Kalahari Couples Spa room set amongst the beautiful gardens with an outdoor Jacuzzi, Golf Course on the property, beautiful countryside walks, and local fly-fishing.

WHAT DOES AKABEKO MEAN?

The name AKABEKO was chosen for it’s simple meaning that relates to the hundreds of “Red Cows” that roams around the Tait family farm.

AKABEKO (meaning “Red Cow” in Japanese) is a legendary cow from the Aizu region of Fukushima in Japan. In 1611 the Aizu region was hit by a big earthquake .  Aizu was greatly damaged with many casualties. Houses and temples were destroyed. The people rebuild their lives and in 1617 they tried to rebuild the Kokuzoudo temple which was located on a rocky hill. The workers had a really hard time carrying up the lumber from nearby villages near the upper stream of the Tadamigawa river to the top of the hill.

It is said that while the workers struggled, suddenly, a herd of powerful Red Cows and Bulls appeared from nowhere and helped them carry the lumber. The cattle disappeared after the completion of the temple except for one cow that refused to leave the temple. When the cow died the people made a cow statue to show their appreciation and asked visitors to touch it. Based on this legend AKABEKO became a representation of persistence, strength and happiness. The cute traditional AKABEKO toy is a copy of the statue and is produced with the techniques of Aizu Hariko (moulding). The toy was created by Gamo Ujisato, a servant who called on doll makers from Aizu to teach their doll making techniques to low-class Samurai in order to establish a foundation of culture, economy and industry in Aizu. This AKABEKO toy making tradition was carried over by many generations and the AIZU region economy is benefitting from this toy until today. AKABEKO is one of the cutest of all traditional crafts in Japan and is loved by people of all ages around the world. It is said that the sight of an adorable AKABEKO toy brings inner sense of joy, happiness, peace and love in us.

We at AKABEKO Hotel and Spa strive to bring this ultimate experience to all of our guests

Mission

Akabeko Boutique Hotel offers guests a modern destination situated in the Mpumalanga Countryside. Providing excellent service to our customers and exceptional guest experiences

Vision

To provide the finest personal service and facilities to our guests while enjoying a relaxed and refined ambience

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Luxury Accommodation

The Suites sleep 2 Guests.
PLEASE NOTE: Our Suites do not have cell phone signal.
Our designer apartments are privately situated within the landscaped gardens along the Hoppe River. Stylishly decorated, open plan with kiaat wooden floors & black marble, each with it’s own fireplace & mosaic sunken bath doubling as a small pool.
Each King suite offers a bar fridge, Nespresso Machine, Flat screen 55” TV, mood lighting, surround sound, and Blu-ray DVD player. The suites’ TV’s are in the lounge, but not in the bedroom. Bathrooms have an indoor and outdoor shower, Luxurious Charlotte Rhys amenities, gowns, slippers, and a high-quality hair dryer. Air-conditioning and underfloor heating in the bathrooms ensure year round comfort indoors.

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Kalahari Spa

The Kalahari Lifestyle experience is an intimate journey, bringing the ancient secrets of Africa to the client through touch, sound, smell and visual interaction.
The Couples treatment room is a facility offering our guests even more reason to relax and rejuvenate. Specialising in Kalahari body treatments for total relaxation. Indulge in one of our Spa Day packages offering sparkling wine and snacks while in the jacccuzzi set in the gardens next to the river.

“The earth and its magnificent nature are a gift from God – I have dedicated my life to discovering how we can use it to our advantage, without harming it in any way.” Kalahari Lifestyle insists on using only reputable Phytotrade organisations and certified sustainable resources. Our stringest eco-awareness protocols ensure the safety of the vulnerable African ecosystems. 

Using only naturally harvested botanical ingredients; the Kalahari team has captured the simple goodness of God’s creation in each Kalahari product. Superior plant oils and phyto-effective extracts are compounded into quality skincare solutions that restore and nourish your skin.

Terms and Conditions
  • Please wait for your therapist in the lounge 10 minutes before your appointment time.
  • If your therapist is a little late, she will add on the time to your treatment (please be a little tolerant of this as we aim to make everyone’s visit to the wellness facility relaxing and special.
  • We don’t want to rush anyone out of the room after a relaxing treatment and the same will apply to you)
  • If you are late for an appointment, unfortunately the treatment will be completed in the time left and will be fully charged for.
  • If an appointment is booked and cancelled less than 24 hours before it is scheduled or if the appointment is not arrived for, the treatment will be fully charged for.
  • Please cancel directly with the reservations at least 24 hours before scheduled treatment to avoid miscommunication and unnecessary charges.
  • Please let your therapist know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any medical conditions or allergies or are on any chronic medication

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Country Restaurant

The Restaurant offers an A La Carte Menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Country cooking prepared from the fresh produce of the farm.

Facilities include a Bar and Lounge area, as well as an outside Sun Deck, Terrace and pool bar. Dishes such as sous-vide beef fillet, poached rainbow trout and our famous chocolate brownies can be found on the menu. Menus change daily, and as the season and availability changes.

Restaurant Times

The inhouse restaurant is a modern and contemporary glass enclosed dining room with magnificent views of the riverine bush. The restaurant is available throughout the day for lighter meals.

Breakfast

08h00-10h30

Lunch

12h00-15h00

Dinner

18h00-20h00

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Picnics

Summer is the perfect time for a leisurely picnic next to the Hoppe River. With the abundance of green pastures, lazy afternoon sunsets, chirping birds and enjoy the beauty of nature on display. Enjoy a delectable basket of treats and a glass of bubbly on the lawns with your loved one whilst breathing in the fresh country air.

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Golf Course

This 9-hole, 18-tee Golf course is filled with an abundance of attractive water features and some challenging bunkers. Joining you on the golf course is an array of wildlife such as Sable, Springbok and Impala

The Golf Course is located on the Akabeko grounds. This farm course is well groomed and maintained. The course welcomes day visitors as long as you have booked to play. Golf carts are available as this high altitude location is a challenge for even the fittest. Request a packed cooler box on the course, and enjoy our popular club sandwich and an ice cold beer half way.

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Game Drives

At Akabeko Boutique Hotel & Spa, we not only offer our guests 5-star luxury accommodation, but pride ourselves in the close encounters experience with the wildlife on the farm and is sure to be the highlight of your stay. Coupled with the majestic Dullstroom Mountain range and spectacular blue open skies, we offer game drives through the reserve. The Tait Family Farm, in which Akabeko Boutique Hotel & Spa is situated, comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of over 2000 hectares. The property boasts an amazing natural African bushveld with an abundance of flora, fauna, birdlife and wildlife. Our open and comfortable game drive vehicle offers you a panoramic view of the area. You will be guided by our experienced and passionate farm manager. The game drive takes approximately an hour.

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Hiking Trails

“In every walk in nature one receives far more than one seeks” – John Muir

Pack your hiking shoes, cap and sunscreen and let’s head to the mountains.

Choose a variety of hiking trials on the 2500 Ha farm and get to enjoy an abundance of wildlife ranging from Springbok, Impala, Sable, Kudu, Deer, Blesbuck, Waterbuck, Zebra, Red Hartebeest and black wildebeest.. And porcupines!

For the bird enthusiast there are more than 200 birds in the area. The hikes are scenic and it is really worthwhile to pack a camera. With a 2500 Ha farm, the hiking and mountain biking trails are endless!

Akabeko Luxury Hotel

Fly Fishing

“Due to its grace, beauty, and slower pace, many people find fly fishing to be a very calm, soothing, and relaxing, sport; even those who possess intense, type A, personalities. On the other hand, it can also be very exciting when the fish are striking your fly on every cast and, it can be very frustrating when the fish are refusing your fly and yet, are taking others right beside it.” – Wilderness Today Dullstroom is known as the flyfishers mecca of South Africa and Akabeko Boutique Hotel & Spa reserve boasts a couple of well-stocked on-site dams to make any fly fisherman excited to spend a week out in the country.