Your home away from home
A thatched guesthouse on the banks of the Vaal Dam
Set in a secure eco wildlife estate where zebra and kudu roam freely — 90 minutes from Johannesburg, and a world away from it.
Welcome
Where the water is wide and nobody is in a hurry
The Vaal Guesthouse sits on the Peninsula, right on the water's edge in the Skier Landgoed Eco Wildlife Estate — 8 km from Oranjeville and about ninety minutes from Johannesburg.
It is a working guesthouse, a restaurant open to the public, and a function venue, all under the same thatch. Come for one night or take the whole house; bring twelve people or eighty. What stays the same is the view, the quiet, and the animals wandering past the window while you have your coffee.
Stay
10 rooms on the water
Thatched rooms with the dam through the window, a suite with its own balcony, and enough space to take the whole house for a reunion.
See the rooms
Celebrate
Three venues, up to 80 guests
A terrace facing the sunset, a function room for the evening, and a dining room for the nights you want everyone at one table.
Plan an event
Eat
The best breakfast buffet on the Vaal
Open Wednesday to Sunday, to guests and visitors alike, by reservation only. Breakfast through to dinner, and tailored menus for functions.
View the restaurant
The estate
You are sharing the place with zebra
Skier Landgoed is a secure eco reserve, which in practice means the game got here first. Beyond the wildlife, there is rather a lot to do without leaving the lawn.
Free-roaming wildlife
The estate is a secure eco reserve. Zebra, kudu, impala, buck and ostrich roam freely between the houses and the water.
Plunge pool & jacuzzi
On the lawn between the house and the dam, facing the afternoon sun.
Two guest lounges
One upstairs and one down, both looking out over the water. Room for a large group to spread out without losing each other.
For the kids
A jungle gym and a tree house on the lawn, in full view of the terrace.
Fire pit & braai
An open fire pit on the lawn and a gas braai beside the house.
On the water
The estate sits on the Peninsula, with the dam a short walk across the lawn from the house.
From the air
The estate from the air
Shot by drone: up over the thatch and out across the water. No sound, and nothing downloads until you press play.
The place
A look around
Guest reviews
Don't take our word for it
Guests have been kind to us on Booking.com, Google and TripAdvisor. Rather than pick our favourites, here are the listings — read them in full, unedited.
Getting here
Closer than you think
- 8 kmfrom Oranjeville
- 30 kmfrom Deneysville
- 130 kmfrom Johannesburg — about 90 minutes
115 Lammertsbay Drive, Skier Landgoed Eco Wildlife Estate, Oranjeville, 1995, Free State, South Africa
Good to know
Questions we are often asked
Where is The Vaal Guesthouse?
115 Lammertsbay Drive, Skier Landgoed Eco Wildlife Estate, Oranjeville, 1995, Free State, South Africa — on the Peninsula, Vaal Dam. By road it is 8 km from Oranjeville, 30 km from Deneysville and 130 km from Johannesburg (about 90 minutes).
How far is it from Johannesburg?
By road, 130 km from Johannesburg (about 90 minutes).
How many rooms are there?
10 rooms, all en-suite: 4 × Thatch King/Twin Dam-facing Room, 4 × King/Twin Dam-facing Room, The Owl Room and The Garden Room. Most face the dam, and the whole house can be booked for a group.
Is the restaurant open to people who are not staying?
Yes. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday to house guests and visitors alike, and is closed Monday and Tuesday. By reservation only. We cook to booking rather than to a counter, so please arrange your table in advance. Book a table on WhatsApp: 068 289 0951. Every adult needs an access code to get through the estate gate — tell us how many adults are coming when you book, and we will arrange the codes.
Can I hold a wedding or function there?
Yes. There are 3 function spaces — The Terrace, The Downstairs Venue and Main House Dining Room — and a single function can host up to 80 guests. The kitchen caters on menus built for the occasion.
What facilities are there?
Free WiFi, free parking, plunge pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, garden and family rooms. The estate is a secure eco reserve. Zebra, kudu, impala, buck and ostrich roam freely between the houses and the water.
Is it safe?
The guesthouse is inside the Skier Landgoed Eco Wildlife Estate. The estate is a secure eco reserve with a controlled gate. Every adult needs an access code to get through the estate gate — tell us how many adults are coming when you book, and we will arrange the codes. Drive slowly inside: the game has right of way.
How do I book?
Book direct at https://book.nightsbridge.com/33814 for the best rate and instant confirmation, or WhatsApp 068 289 0951. The guesthouse is also listed on Booking.com, TripAdvisor, LekkeSlaap, SafariNow, SA-Venues and Expedia.