The History of Bergdale Farm
In the early 1900’s Hazyview was made up of two farms…
De Rust - Owned by Harry Wolhuter.
Perry’s Bridge - Owned by Paul Perry.
Paul Perry was born in Canada. He ran away from home to join the American Navy and after two years he jumped ship at Cape Town.
Harry Wolhuter was born in Beaufortwest South Africa, he moved to Johannesburg as a young boy and then to the surroundings of Legogate where his knowledge of the Lowveld and its people grew.
Harry and Paul became great friends during the Anglo-Boer war, as members of the “Steinhackers Horseman’ unit. Paul accompanied Wolhuter on many patrols and became one of his most trusted troopers.
Their unit was stationed at Selatibrug, which later became the site of Skukuza, the first rest camp built in the Kruger National Park.
After the war Perry acquired his farm, the one on which Hazyview is layed out on today – and started farming. He also operated a trading post, situated roughly where the Hippo Hollow Hotel stands today.
It has been said that Perry’s original house is still somewhere in Hazyview’s contemporary township, however his grave was lost in the mid 1980’s, when it was accidently ploughed.
The Perry’s Bridge Tourism Centre at Hazyview and the bridge over the Sabie River near Hazyview are named after him.
Wolhuter became a legendary field guide. He was the first Game Ranger in the Kruger National Park and worked for Stevenson Hamilton, the founder of the Kruger.
In August 1903 Wolhuter, who was on horseback, was attacked by two lions who jumped his horse. One of the lions landed on the horse’s rump and dislodged Wolhuter from his saddle where he fell almost on top of the lion. The horse galloped off with one lion in pursuit, while the other seized Wolhuter by the right shoulder and started dragging him away into the bush.
In the Skukuza museum you can still the knife Wolhuter used to stab the lion to get free. The lion’s skin can also be seen there.
It was many months before Wolhunter was able to return to duty and after 45 years’ service as a game ranger he retired.
His experiences are recorded in his book “Memories of a Ranger”.
In 1910 Wolhunter obtained Perrys neighboring farm called De Rust. This was an ideal home for Wolhunter, as at the time the Kruger Park extended up to the Sand River just 1km from Bergdale Farm. Lions have even been documented on the De Rust and neighboring Peebles Farm.
Wolhuters original house is on the site of the current dwelling, Bergdale House, on Portion 40 De Rust. It is believed that the kitchen was the original one roomed house and there have been lots of foundations and parts of buildings found around the farm.
Here on the farm Wolhuter bred dogs amongst other things. He also trained Arab horses for hunting – horses that would not be scared when they heard shots.
Star grass was planted all around farm, as it is very nutritious for horses – it still grows now and you can see how our horses make a bee line for these particular areas of grass.
Wolhuter eventually retired and moved to a farm in White River “Lindandene” – this was also his name among the locals.
In 1964 when Wolhuter died the De Rust Farm was split into 10 hectare portions and sold off.
Portion 40 De Rust became Bergdale Farm when it was brought by the Kendrick Family in 2000. Bergdale translates from the Afrikaans ‘Berg’ meaning ‘Hill’ and ‘Dale’ meaning ‘Valley’.
We love the history behind our farm and we love to share our story with our guests.