The pick-up is at Ohlthaver and List (O&L) Leisure’s offices in Windhoek around 16h00. The plan? Visit the refurbished train carriages at Midgard Country Estate and get a feel for the one-of-a-kind accommodation experience.
Located about 64 kilometres east of Okahandja, the journey along the gravel road gives you a glimpse of wild animals such as antelopes, warthogs and baboons scouring for food in the afternoon sun.
The views are pretty spectacular – mountainous terrains that would make the perfect backdrop for your photos. Within an hour or so, we arrive at our destination and are served cold ice tea by the staff.
Check-in is simple and sweet, but because of the glamourous opening, we’re led to the garden courtyard decorated with fairy lights and a crackling bonfire that almost makes you feel like the ancestors are blessing the ceremony.
Roux-Che Locke, group manager of public relations at O&L, is our hostess for the night and promises us a magical experience under the Namibian stars. “An exciting time awaits us,” she says, further noting that the area is the perfect location for a wedding.
We are introduced to three carriages with underlying themes:
‘Vintage’ was inspired by the romantic experience of historic train rides. It’ll appeal to couples who want to get away.
‘Graphic’ was created with graffiti in mind. Think of the apocalyptic ‘Blade Runner’ movie. This design style will strike the fancy of the younger, hipper crowd who seek adventure.
Lastly, ‘Crisp’ fits the broader demographic. It’s friendly, approachable and, oddly enough, makes you think of mint chocolate. Each carriage accommodates 24 people, meaning 72 people can make all three carriages their home for the night.
“It’s a very special moment for us,” Sven Thieme, executive chairman of the O&L group of companies, notes during the official opening. “Midgard was bought in 1936. It was a family home until what it is today.”
Thieme adds Midgard was a business where a farm, dairy and butchery existed within its borders, however, it has transformed into a fully fledged country estate for guests to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
“We are challenging conventional ways of thinking,” Thieme states. Offering a short tribute to his grandfather for the work on the farm, Thieme plans to make O&L hotels some of the most loved hotels in Africa by 2025. “We are celebrating success and we will create more opportunities to create more success. If we’ve done it for over 100 years, why don’t we just keep doing it? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but value is in the mind of the consumer.”
Sharing more insight on the growth of Midgard, Terence Makari, managing director of O&L Leisure, describes the area as a ‘tranquil farmstead’ that doubles as an oasis. “The history is not only synonymous with the List family but the O&L Group. Midgard, in terms of our positioning, is aimed at various segments, but the primary is for conferences.”
The estate as a whole features 46 rooms, a dining area, two pools, the Acacia spa, a bowling alley and a huge play area for children. “A few months back, we were confronted with the reality that the trains looked tired. So do we refurbish them or do away with the concept? It was actually easy for us to get to that decision,” Makari says.
“Vintage, Graphic and Crisp offer a difference in moods.”
Architects Chamberlain and Associates came on board for the design of the train carriages and did justice to both the interior and exterior.
After a delicious outdoor meal, it was off to the carriages for a good night’s sleep.
It got chilly, so if you do make a stop during winter, pack warm clothing. Also, don’t be afraid of the banging on the roof if you encounter it – the baboons in the area are simply making their presence known. Be sure to keep your windows closed, though.
Because there are no switches, get one of the staff to unscrew the bulbs for you as it can get bright, unless you like sleeping with the lights on. Guests also have to share ablution facilities, so carry your own toiletries.
Breakfast is served early in the morning, from 07h30 to be precise, and you can enjoy a warm beverage or ice-cold juice outside as you enjoy the breeze. The check-out time is at 10h00 and unfortunately, it’s back to reality once again.
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