BOTHA HOUSE
Accommodation Services in Scottburgh

Less than an hour's drive from Durban lies the unique coastal getaway of Botha House. Situated in the heart of one of KwaZulu Natal's most pristine coastal forests, our guest house is an ideal location for you to enjoy the full South Coast experience. Or simply enjoy a stroll along one of Pennington's pristine beaches or forest trails with exciting birding opportunities. For the more adventurous at heart, why not take the opportunity to do some scuba diving or deep sea fishing. And if adventure is not your style, simply unwind and enjoy the breathtaking ocean vistas from our terrace, or relax at the pool. Our rooms offer king and queen size beds with panoramic sea and forest views. To understand the origins of Botha House one not only needs to acknowledge the vision and determination of Sir Frank Reynolds, but equally the relationship he had with one of South Africa's most influential Anglo-Boer War Generals, a relationship which influenced the construction and completion of this majestic homestead. This time in the country's history, coupled with this unique relationship of these two men, is echoed in the structure and elegance of Botha House. A Devonshire man by origin, Frank Umhlali Reynolds, and his brother Charles, were sent by their father in 1874 to assist in the running of the newly established Umzinto Sugar Estate, South of Durban. After loosing their uncle suddenly less then one year after their arrival and with the guidance of their father, the two brothers flourished vigorously and created an estate consisting of thousands of hectares of sugar cane and the still fully functional Sezela Sugar Mill. Their homestead Lynton Hall stands as a testament to Sir Franks unparalleled success, for not only is this homestead of sheer grandeur and class, but also as it sits majestically overlooking the Umdoni Park. In 1918, Sir Franks complete love affair with the natural beauty of the Natal coastline was evidently displayed through the purchase of the land that denotes the present day Umdoni Park. Gaining inspiration from an equally influential Englishman, his prospect included the preservation of all naturally occurring fauna and flora within its boundaries. Being an active Member of Parliament, Sir Frank had many friendly relations with dignitaries and parliamentary members alike. None is more striking than the friendship with General Louis Botha, the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. As there are no records of Sir Frank's intent to build the now formally known homestead of Botha House, one is only left to imagine whether he informed the General of his intentions. We can only assume that upon General Botha's request Sir Frank was immediately persuaded. After 7 months of site clearing, architectural conception, the installation of a pump in the nearby golf course dam to provide water for the contractor and the arrival of building materials, June 1919 strikes a note in history. The site upon which Botha House is located was one of the few elevated pieces of land found within the Umdoni Park. There was most certainly a deep disappointment and a sense of loss, which Sir Frank would've suffered knowing that the house would not be seen by the person for whom it was intended. The wagons toiled laboriously on along the sand track to the nearby Pennington Station. All that was left to do was to furnish the interior.