SUMMERPLACE: WHERE WEDDING CELEBRATIONS ARE TIMELESS

These days, too many weddings are consigned to a compact afternoon/evening of commitment and celebration and then a flurry of Facebook photos and Instagram reels. Beautiful human moments, but all too brief. At Summerplace Game Reserve, weddings are a whole weekend celebration that are unhurried, uncomplicated and unforgettable.

A two-hour 15-minute drive from Pretoria and less than three hours from Johannesburg makes Summerplace Game Reserve close enough for a weekend escape but far enough to leave the chaos of the city behind. No traffic, no load-shedding and no fear of crime. Peace and serenity prevail. Located just north of Vaalwater in the Limpopo province, Summerplace offers the best of the Bushveld and the Waterberg.

At Summerplace, your special union of love isn’t just one of many on a long list; it’s as much a significant occasion for us as it is for you. Our remote location in the heart of the Waterberg bush allows for a connection to nature throughout the weekend, with particular emphasis on the ceremony photos and video.

Depending on time of year, we have several stunning photo locations that offer wilderness backdrops, foregrounds and skies that enhance any image; and our safari-style game-drive vehicle adds character as a mobile prop – if desired.

Weddings at Summerplace can accommodate up to 90 guests in our spacious modern functions venue (70 if only indoors), adjacent to our wooden deck which overlooks an open savanna and faces the setting sun. Our open-air chapel allows for optimising the ample space and shade of the indigenous trees. The sound of birds and sighting of wildlife is guaranteed as we have over 100 bird species and more than 40 large mammal species.

We have several lodges on the reserve that can accommodate up to 86 guests sharing – including the bridal suite. They’re all fully furnished self-catering homes with uncapped Wi-Fi, solar power and gas geysers. Some of them have swimming pools and wood-fired hot tubs; all of them have bush views. You can find details on each of our lodges here.

Outdoor activities are a primary attraction at Summerplace Game Reserve. We have a world-class trails network with marked routes for mountain biking, trail running and hiking. Self-guided bush walks and guided sundowner game drives are offered and we have a fleet of mountain bikes to rent, including eBikes and kids’ bikes. Our recently upgraded tennis court is popular with groups.

“We enjoy hosting weddings at Summerplace. As a family-owned and managed venue, we understand the importance of getting everything just right to ensure magical, memorable moments for this significant milestone. We get personally involved in the organisation of weddings because we have experience, not only with weddings, but all types of celebrations and know that timing and details matter,” says Simone Baber, Director of Summerplace Game Reserve.

“One of the benefits of hosting your wedding at Summerplace is that it’s a full weekend celebration for the bridal couple and family and friends. It’s not only the few hours of the ceremony and reception but a wonderful unrushed way to commemorate and share such a special occasion,” added Baber.

To book a viewing appointment, send a message via WhatsApp on 083 302 5123, or call on 064 732 6211. For more information on weddings at Summerplace Game Reserve, see the information brochure here.

THE BIKE VILLAGE – THE SOUL OF SUMMERPLACE

Experiences in the South African bush only gain real value when they’re relayed with detail by being told or via photos or videos shown to others. In a comfortable place, over a drink, or a meal. A place where the dress code is ‘relaxed’, where you can watch the sun set. A place that’s cool in summer, warm in winter and where positive energy flows freely. The Bike Village at Summerplace Game Reserve is that place.

The Bike Village is where you check in when you arrive and where you check out when you leave. It provides the bookends to your piece of peace… After the 15-minute drive from the main gate, it’s where you start to experience the warm hospitality of the reserve. For many first-time visitors, The Bike Village is where their feelings of trepidation are eased. You can’t sense energy from what you see on a website, but The Bike Village has this way of making you feel settled and calm. It’s where you start your relaxation before you head to your accommodation.

It began as the place where guests would meet to start mountain bike rides. A central point where you can grab a fresh coffee, pump your tyres and discuss the planned ride. It’s still that place, but now also so much more. It’s still called The Bike Village because Summerplace grew into a place people want to visit through the fantastic mountain bike trails network. Also, a village is a community, not a single building. A village is where you can give and receive support, praise, inspiration and advice. That’s The Bike Village.

It can get cold at Summerplace in winter. An icy Waterberg wind brings the temperatures down. But with the doors closed, the fireplace crackling and the comfortable couches calling, The Bike Village makes a great place to relax or play board games while sipping coffee or red wine.

In summer, Limpopo is one of the hottest provinces in the country. The Bike Village delivers the ideal oasis for guests. With the doors wide open and the ceiling fans spinning, seating inside or on the veranda offers solace from the searing sun while sipping on cooldrinks, craft gin or ice-cold beer. The Bike Village swimming pool offers an additional cooling-off opportunity.

Technically, The Bike Village is one single building. But over time it’s undergone expansion to incorporate office space, a larger kitchen, a fireplace, storage for catering items, a retail store, a bike rental kiosk, a bicycle workshop, a larger veranda and a coffee and beverages bar. There’s also lush green lawn out front where kids play and dogs enjoy daytime naps.

A boma and firepit ensure an idyllic outdoor setting for evening braais and social banter. The crisp night sky is pollution-free, so the stars are brighter and more visible and the sounds of the bushveld more vivid.

We have a permanent chef which ensures we can host all occasions at The Bike Village. Landmark Birthdays, Bushveld Weddings, Youth Skills Camps, Cycling Club Weekend Escapes, Business Conferences, Bike Industry Launches and Mountain Bike Events – just some of the notable occasions that we have successfully.

Everyone that visits Summerplace Game Reserve spends some time at The Bike Village. It’s not just a reception area. It’s not just a place to eat and drink. It’s not just a place to relax. It’s not just a place to rent bikes. It’s not just a place to socialise. It’s all of that and more because The Bike Village is the soul of Summerplace…

To experience the soul of Summerplace, book your accommodation here.

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