THOKOZANI LODGE
The Thokozani Lodge was built in the typical African architectural design with thatch roof in 1926. The Jatinga street where the lodge is situated, was named after the English officer’s that settled down after finishing their service in India.
The lodge was built in a crescent shape and was known as the “halfmoon cottage”. Through the years numerous renovations was done, but the old charm has not been lost. All of the rooms and the stoep areas, are facing West, to assure a beautiful sunset.
The lodge consists of a lush garden with swimming pool which creates the perfect ambience for a relaxed atmosphere. From here, you can enjoy various daytrips and activities the Lowveld has to offer.
At Thokozani Lodge in White River, we are using a new PV system with solar panels and battery storage system to avoid power loss during load shedding. Our system has been installed by our solar partner in White River, Power & Energy Solutions.
In a nutshell, home battery storage, or a solar battery, allows you to store electricity for use at a later time. Only few SA homes have solar PV panels which generate electricity during daylight. By adding a battery to the system, you can now use this energy in the evenings.
ABOUT US
As a native German, I bought the Thokozani Lodge with my wife back in 2009 and we emigrated directly to South Africa.
Thokozani Lodge is a small, country-style, thatched guest house offering accommodation in charming houses nestled in a subtropical garden with huge old trees and palms. The guest house also offers a pleasant, private and family atmosphere and is situated in the heart of the Lowveld, only 6 km from White River and just a 30-minute drive from the Kruger National Park.
Thokozani Lodge is the ideal starting point for day trips into the world-famous Kruger NP and the panorama route.
To having the world-famous Kruger National Park just around the corner is a great privilege. It is just great to be able to experience the diverse African wildlife so close. Each season has its own fascination. Even the big or small animals or the landscapes in the park.
After an extensive breakfast, start to the Panorama route with the highlights of Gods Windows, Burk Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels and the view of the Blyde River Canyon. Blyde River Canyon is the largest green canyon in the world. There are also great waterfalls like Lisbon Falls, Lone Creek Falls and Mac-Mac Falls.
We can organize day tours into the Kruger NP, panorama route and other highlights.
But "adrenaline addicts" also get their money's worth. Bungee jumping, abseiling, white-water rafting and quad biking are just some of the ways to drive your pulse to dangerous heights. If you like it quieter, you can play horseback riding, golf and tennis.
One of your preferences, you should not leave without to visiting a traditional village where ancient rites and cultures are cultivated and lived. Listen to the fascinating tribal legends and learn all about traditional African medicinal plants from a Sangoma.
GENERAL FACILITIES
PHOTOVOLTAICS VS. LOAD SHEDDING
Photovoltaics as a success story
The development of photovoltaics often serves as an example for the anticipated development of the storage market: PV started as cost intensive technology in niche markets and is today, without doubt, in many cases competitive with conventional generation. Particularly, residential systems were and still are one of the pillars for the sustainable growth of PV. The transformation of power systems towards decentralized renewable-based and sustainable models needs suitable instruments to face the volatile nature of several renewable sources. Therefore, storage seems to be a “natural” complement to decentralized PV systems. Residential privately owned storage systems could be a success story, especially as private purchasers' decisions often follow their own principles, despite political or other obstacles.
The more PV-produced energy used in a household, the better the economic viability of the system. Even though the gap between the electricity price and PV-generation costs is not big enough to finance the storage system, the expected increase in electricity prices in future and distrust towards utilities seems to help promoting storage.
In addition, the storage system acts as energy manager – if the PV supply is higher than the actual demand, the charging of the battery takes place. If it is lower, the battery provides the energy to supply demand. The integration of storage in PV systems gives the customer the feeling of self-dependency. Surely it will take some time to reach economic viability, but several factors such as declining system costs and increasing electricity costs already help.
Your accommodation in White River and point of departure and return for trips to the Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Pilgrim's Rest as well as many other marvellous sceneries and cultural attractions.
