Online Business Rescue Auction – Exception Game Farm outside Swartruggens on Auction

The Helam Game farm nestles amongst the Swartruggens hills and valleys, the westernmost vestiges of the mighty Magaliesburg mountain range, some 7 kilometres north of Swartruggens and is accessible via tarred roads, a mere 2-hour drive from Joburg. The valleys come down to 1220 m whereas the high plateaus reach 1480m, an elevation differential of some 800 feet. The lower areas are typical dense bushveld vegetation, whereas the high plateaus are highveld grassland with abundant proteas, wild fig and wild plum.

The Game farm belongs to Helam Mining (Pty) Ltd, a diamond mine of 80 years vintage that has produced more diamonds than the Big hole of Kimberly. This mine lies a short distance to the south of the lodge on the game farm.

In 2019, the mine took a decision to upgrade the lodge to cater for “high end” guests. This was completed in early 2020, with a magnificent lodge upgrade, that caters for 3 ensuite bedrooms that sleep 6, an upstairs family unit with 2 bedrooms that caters for 4 with an interleading bathroom. All this this started well, but as we all know, covid 19 arrived and the lockdown commenced in March of 2020, which put paid to any ideas of progressing the game farm as a tourist destination. The lodge has a magnificent glass fireplace between the dining room and the TV room which makes for wonderful winter evenings with gluhwein. Outside there is an under-roof entertainment area with braai place, with two sturdy teak tables,14 sturdy chairs and 4 recliners. Further outside, adjacent to the swimming pool, there is a circular braai where a wonderful bonfire can be made whilst cozy chats are going on. For those who like competition there is a games room with a darts facility as well as a pool table. The location is also served with WIFI.

For those who don’t feel like game drives there is a secluded game viewing chalet in the corner of the garden, where one can enjoy a book whilst waiting for game to come by.

Relative to game, there is everything from Giraffe downward, including eland, blue wildebeest, zebra, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, impala, warthog, and jackal. Although not common, there are Leopard in the heavily bushed ravines as there has been an occasional sighting and their tracks are to be found. They also assist in keeping the impala numbers down, by preying on the young. No hunting has been allowed for the last 5 years. For bird lovers, there is an abundance to view.

For those who want to “rough it” instead of the comfort of the lodge, there is a bush camp nestled high in the mountains where, unless one is a good driver, 4X4 vehicles are preferable and there are many tracks where they can be “tested”. This bush camp has running water, flush toilet and a “donkey” for hot water for the shower. All these are surrounded by 3 rock chalets that can sleep12 and a large undercover kitchen area with a magnificent large braai boma. The location is secluded in the mountains and makes for wonderful starry evenings, with a very large fire.

Needless to say, there is an endless supply of firewood for both the lodge and the bush camp.

The game farm has a cement dam of one million litres ,7 ground dams, 2 of which have never dried up in 24 years. This is complemented with a borehole (that has been there forever and supplies the lodge) and has been recently tested at 12 700 litres per hour. This can be used to irrigate the two pivot irrigation systems that cover 15 hectares. In addition to these two pivots, there is at least another 30 hectares that could be put under pivot or irrigated.

The game farm is approximately 1180 hectares in extent and is now being sold off as a separate entity. The online auction will be taking place on the 4^th of September 2024 at 11am via www.venditoronline.co.za.

Terms and Conditions:

R50 000.00 Refundable Registration Fee Payable. Bidders to provide FICA.
Buyer on auction to pay 5% deposit + Buyers Premium on the fall of the hammer.
60 Days for guarantees after acceptance.