High in the hills of the Lowveld, where the crushing warmth gives way to salubrious, soul-expanding air, sits Pumelani, a little B&B so aboriginal in form and reflects its primeval terrain, this B&B is the creation of modern native: and painter and ceramist René Eloff. With strong artistic influences from her late husband the renowned lowveld artist Zakkie Eloff, this guesthouse is alive in colour, vibrancy and true African spirit! Style-wise, the Eloff homestead is a farmhouse - solidly and inexpensively built, with rough plaster walls and a welcoming abundance of timber. Wooden French doors open out onto views that are pure bushveld, and the couple's artworks - like Zakkie's Letaba elephants - remind visitors of their proximity to the wild. "Zakkie was best known for his wildlife paintings," says Rene, "but he was also an excellent portrait painter, and I have a wonderful collection of these 'other' works throughout the house."

Pumelani Guest House is the ideal weekend retreat if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Alternatively, if you are on-route between the Kruger Park or Mozambique, this is an ideal stop-over to catch your breath and take in some spectacular shopping and quaint restaurants scattered in and around the area!