As most of our visitors at the Irene Dairy Farm already know the collections from our Fountain of life are donated to the Tshwane SPCA.

For the month of August an astounding total of R2922.40 was collected and donated to this cause.

Help us BEAT this amount this month by coming and making your wish!

We hope all your wishes come true.

African Pride- Irene Country Lodge offers Luxury accommodation in the heart of Gauteng; South Africa’s Economic Capital, in the historical village of Irene, Centurion. This luxury upmarket hotel now boasts with 75 spacious bedrooms and conference facilities that have recently undergone a phenomenal refurbishment.

The newly renovated hotel rooms are elegantly designed each with its own balcony or patio with breath-taking views overlooking the lake. The design is modern contemporary, offering the charm and warmth of a countryside manor, but reflecting a unique South African flavour.

The hotel rooms all in excess of sixty square meters situated on 60 hectares of open land.

All rooms boast magnificent views of either the forest or the bird sanctuary home to some 140 bird species. The room configuration consists of 10 Luxury King Rooms opening onto a patio with a stunning view of the lush, green meadow. The 47 Deluxe King Rooms are elegantly designed all with a balcony or patio with a breath-taking view overlooking the lake. The hotel boasts 14 Superior King Rooms hidden away in our amazing natural Camdeboo Forest. The loft superior rooms are double volume designed to delight the senses.

African Pride Irene Country Lodge also offers superb conference facilities set in this calm and relaxed countryside in Centurion. The conference facilities can facilitate events from 2 to 140 delegates.

A new addition to the conference venues is the newly designed and renovated Boardroom en Suite. This combines luxury accommodation with executive boardroom facilities seating a maximum of 12 GUESTS. This multifunctional boardroom suite can be used either for executive meetings or as an executive suite boardroom catering to the high end traveler or head of state requirement to meet in the convenience and safety of the executive suite.

The hotel’s experienced team delivers a highly professional and seamless service. The hotel also has a fine dining restaurant, function and wedding venues, and also boasts the Award Winning Camdeboo Day Spa as well as the infamous historic operational Irene Dairy Farm right across the road.

Irene is a suburb of Centurion; but has become a business and leisure destination.

The hotel is conveniently situated between Midrand and Pretoria. Making the travel to the Union Buildings in Pretoria a mere 15 min drive away and the travelling to Sandton in Johannesburg a 20 min drive.

Centurion Gautrain station is situated at the Centurion Shopping Centre only a 5 min drive away.

The hotel offers transfers to the station as well as to the surrounding facilities of Southdown’s shopping centre and Centurion mall.

Book your spot for only R150 pp to take part in the Beat Winter Skin Workshop exclusively at Camdeboo Day Spa. Including a luxuriously warm beverage, an informative BABOR talk as well as a mini BABOR facial including a dry skin changing mask treatment.

ENTER THE LUCKY DRAW and you could also stand a chance to WIN an additional BABOR Product with your purchase of any BABOR product on the day.

Valid 26 August only.

Book Now – Email Spareservations@IreneCountryLodge.co.za or call on 012 667 6464

As an effort to help better the community that we live, some happy volunteers from Destination Irene joined hands and assisted the Potato Foundation with their “Spread the Soup” project.

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Just wanted to say a BIG thank you very much to everyone who contributed to our “Paying it Forward” effort it was a great day and the kids really enjoyed it!!

To all those in the area who are willing and able to donate.

Please help us save lives.

DON’T LET LIFE GET IN THE WAY OF LIFE.

Blood Drive: Irene Estate

Date:              Thursday, July 17, 2014

Venue:           Tent in Parking Area at the Irene Dairy Farm

Time:              13:00 to 16:00

“Phomolong” is the Irene Dairy Farm workers accommodation village, each staff member that exceeds a certain number of years working on the farm, gets the privilege to live in one of these 3 bedroom houses in the staff village.

Each year the owners of the farm run a little competition to where the gardens of the houses gets judged. Here is a show of the beautiful Gardens that were on show this year 🙂

Wow these are really beautiful!!!

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The Irene Dairy Farm is proud to host the South African National Blood Service on Thursday 13 March 2014 between 10:00 and 13:00.

Join the Irene Estate blood drive and show that you care.

Blood Drive:    Irene Estate

Date:                  Thursday, March 13, 2014

Venue:              Irene Dairy Farm, Tent in Parking Area

Time:                 10:00 to 13:00

To all of you who have been missing out on “The Stall” night market at Southdowns, here are the dates for the next few months for you to diarise!

27 February,

27 March,

24 April,

29 May, and

26 June.

Be sure not to miss out 🙂

And to anyone interested in exhibiting you are welcome to contact Stalls organiser, Gareth Christie on 072 155 3924

The coins in our wishing well are collected on a daily basis by farm management, these coins are banked monthly for the SPCA.

To all who have contributed we hope all your wishes come true.

Southdowns Shopping Centre excited to announce the Christmas Edition of The Stalls.

The Stall is a niche food and wine night market. For our Christmas market you can enjoy live entertainment by Hendrik Marxand.

Do your Christmas shopping in a vibrant atmosphere and great location for food lovers of all ages, providing a unique market experience.

We are looking forward to seeing you all there 🙂

Spring Carnival Market:

25 October 2013         15:30 – 20:30

26 October 2013         09:00 – 15:00

Free Entrance

AMUSEMENT RIDES
The ever popular amusement rides similar to Gold Reef City rides right here in your back yard and this year they have an even bigger variety with their latest addition of the “Dragon Roller Coaster”. So save that pocket money! Parents this is certainly a way to keep the little ones occupied for hours. Click here to read more…

Raffle & Tombola

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
We have two fun filled days planned from a clown show, as well as clowns on stilts doing some juggling and balloon sculpting and a live band filling the air with amazing sounds. Fashion Show, Karate Demonstration and the well-known EMC dancers, will keep the adults entertained all day.

Awesome Prizes to be won

FOOD STALLS
Feeling peckish, as well as all the wonderful sweets and treats, we have a wide variety of food stalls that include pancakes, donuts, burgers, hot dogs, etc… there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a vendor,  click here for application forms

FLEA MARKET
A variety of stalls available to ensure you roam around for hours, finding that perfect gift for someone special, including hand bags, art work, toys and many more. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, click here for application forms

MOONLIGHT FUN RUN

25 October

Irene Primary is proud to present and back by popular demand the MOONLIGHT FUN RUN, Through the beautiful village of Irene, join us for a lovely early evening run on 25 October 2013 you have plenty of time to get fit!
Race 1: 3 KM starts at 17:30             R 30 p.p.
Race 2: 8 KM starts at 18:00             R 40 p.p.
Click here for entry forms

Click here for the route map

For more information please contact us on:
Irene Primary School, Bruce Rd, Irene, Gauteng
Tel:      012 667 1037
Email:  pta@ireneprimary.co.za
Web: www.ireneprimary.co.za
Follow us on www.facebook.com/IreneSpringCarnival

Spring Carnival Market:

25 October 2013         15:30 – 20:30

26 October 2013         09:00 – 15:00

Free Entrance

AMUSEMENT RIDES
The ever popular amusement rides similar to Gold Reef City rides right here in your back yard and this year they have an even bigger variety with their latest addition of the “Dragon Roller Coaster”. So save that pocket money! Parents this is certainly a way to keep the little ones occupied for hours. Click here to read more…

Raffle & Tombola

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
We have two fun filled days planned from a clown show, as well as clowns on stilts doing some juggling and balloon sculpting and a live band filling the air with amazing sounds. Fashion Show, Karate Demonstration and the well-known EMC dancers, will keep the adults entertained all day.

Awesome Prizes to be won

FOOD STALLS
Feeling peckish, as well as all the wonderful sweets and treats, we have a wide variety of food stalls that include pancakes, donuts, burgers, hot dogs, etc… there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a vendor,  click here for application forms

FLEA MARKET
A variety of stalls available to ensure you roam around for hours, finding that perfect gift for someone special, including hand bags, art work, toys and many more. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, click here for application forms

MOONLIGHT FUN RUN

25 October

Irene Primary is proud to present and back by popular demand the MOONLIGHT FUN RUN, Through the beautiful village of Irene, join us for a lovely early evening run on 25 October 2013 you have plenty of time to get fit!
Race 1: 3 KM starts at 17:30             R 30 p.p.
Race 2: 8 KM starts at 18:00             R 40 p.p.
Click here for entry forms

Click here for the route map

For more information please contact us on:
Irene Primary School, Bruce Rd, Irene, Gauteng
Tel:      012 667 1037
Email:  pta@ireneprimary.co.za
Web: www.ireneprimary.co.za
Follow us on www.facebook.com/IreneSpringCarnival

Saturday 7 September 2013

Irene Country Club 

9:00 – 17:00

We would love to bring your family to come taste some of the delicious potjies being prepared by our participants.

Additional:
• Flea market
• Kiddies play area
• Tickets for sale : R30 for 1 Meal (tasting of 1 x potjie), R50 for 2, R70 for 3. (pap and rice supplied by ICC)
• Live music
• Beer garden
• Prizes up for grabs for the best tasting, the most original stand, etc.

Irene Primary Fun Run/Walk
Irene Primary School will be having a Fun Run/Walk on the 8th of September 2012.

Registration for the 3km and 8km races can be done by printing the registration form and emailing it to pta@ireneprimary.co.za or dropped off at the school office on or before 5th of September 2012.

Entry Fees:
3km: R30
8km: R40

Race Rules:

1. All runners participate at their own risk and indemnify the organizers and sponsors of any liability claims by entering.
2. Marshalls and traffic officials must be obeyed at all times.
3. No seconding is permitted.
4. There’s no age restriction on this race.
5. Race starting times:
3 km 7:30am
8 km 8:00am
6. Race-day entries will take place at Irene Primary School from 6:30am until 5 minutes before the race.
7. Prize-giving will take place at 09:00 at Irene Primary School.

For more information please contact 012 667 1037/8 or email pta@ireneprimary.co.za

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Later in the month there is also the Clover Irene Spring Race hosted by Irene Road Running Club:

Clover Irene Spring Race

Irene Village Mall in conjunction with Clover and the Irene Road Running Club will be hosting the Clover Irene Spring Race on 22 September 2012.

Registration for the 5km, 10km and 21km races can take place online at www.irenerunner.co.za or www.enteronline.co.za.
You are also welcome to register at the following shops:
Sweat Shop Dunkeld 011 325 2567
Sweat Shop Fourways 011 467 5966
Sweat Shop Southdowns 012 665 0048
Run-A-Way Sport 012 361 3733
Bedford Runner 011 450 1847
Running Inn Pretoria 012 362 7322
Running In Kensington 011 615 0878
Centre Management Irene Village Mall 012 662 4446

Entry Fees:
5km: R30
10km: R40
21km: R50
GM: R30
GGM: Free
Temporary license: R30

Race Rules:
1. All runners participate at their own risk and indemnify the organizers and sponsors of any liability claims by entering.
2. All participants must wear a valid race number on the front and a valid 2012 license number on the back. Non-registered athletes have to purchase a temporary license. No license is required for the 5km race.
3. The race will take place under the rules of ASA, AGN and IAAF and all participants must wear club colors during the race, except if participating with a temporary license.
4. Marshalls and traffic officials must be obeyed at all times.
5. No seconding is permitted.
6. Minimum age of 15 on race day for the 10km and 16 years for the 21km.
7. Category winners must provide proof of age to qualify for prizes (ID or valid documentation).
8. There’s no age restriction for the 5km.
9. Athletes competing for category prizes must wear official age category Id (front and back of vest).
10. Foreign athletes must observe IAAF rule 4, paragraph 2.
11. Race starting times:
21 km 6:00am
10km 6:00am
5km 6:05am
12. Race-day entries will take place at Irene Village Mall from 4:30am until 5 minutes before the race.
13. Prize-giving will take place at 8:00am – 10km, 9:00 – 21km.
For more information please contact 012 654 0005 / 082 937 0733 / 083 284 4884

Rietvlei Nature Reserve – Attractions near Irene.

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve, as one of the worlds largest urban nature reserves (3800 hectares), is situated at near Irene in the south of Pretoria, close to the R21. It consists of open grassland with undulating hills.

Great game viewing and excellent angling are the main drawcards at the 3 800ha Rietvlei Nature Reserve that lies 18km from Tshwane and 38km from OR Tambo International Airport.

The reserve has its origins in the 1930s when the Rietvlei Dam was dug by hand. Today the dam is fed by the Sesmylspruit (Six Mile Stream), five fountains and five boreholes. Upstream lies Marais Dam that acts as a sludge dam for the Rietvlei.

Originally the dam was not open to the public, but in 1948, following the creation of a nature reserve and the introduction of endemic game species by the then Pretoria City Council, the Rietvlei Nature Reserve was proclaimed.

In addition to supplying Tshwane with 15% of its water requirements, the two dams have become popular yachting and angling spots, where catfish, yellowfish, carp and tilapia are caught.

The designated fishing section includes ablution and braai (barbecue) facilities, as well as a campsite and chalets for overnight guests. No canoes or baitboats are permitted.

About 60km of well-maintained tar and dirt roads allow for great game viewing. Look out for cheetah, rhino, leopard, buffalo, blesbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, Burchell’s zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, springbok, mountain reedbuck, steenbok and grey duiker.

Guided night drives – rounded off with a braai under the stars – expose visitors to the delights of nocturnal species such as the brown hyena, black-backed jackal, ant bear, aardwolf, porcupine, springhare and bush pig.

Day walks of 10km (four hours), game viewing bus tours, horse trails and a 21km (two-day) overnight hike from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, are also offered. Hiking facilities include two overnight huts with beds, mattresses, hot and cold water, some cooking utensils, and firewood. The hiking trail takes you past a group of historical British embankments used during the occupation of Pretoria.

Booking is essential for all activities.

The reserve enjoys a Highveld climate characterised by dry, frosty winters with temperatures rarely dropping below zero. There is an average 724mm rainfall during summer, when daytime temperatures reach up to 34°C.

Part of the Rietvlei Reserve is populated by endangered Bankenveld grassland, where undulating hills are dotted with clumps of indigenous trees. Exotic and invasive flora such as the Australian silver wattle tree is being systematically removed to restore the vegetation to its natural state.

Educational programmes presented by qualified guides allow you to learn more about the reserve’s environment.

Three distinct habitats – grassland, open-water and wetland – make Rietvlei excellent for bird watching and both dams feature bird hides.

Popular with visitors is the lovely picnic area at Marais Dam, an ideal location to while away an afternoon under the trees while watching water birds and hippos.

To see some amazing bird pictures taken here: Click here…

Operating hours

The reserve is open from 06h00 to 18h00 daily. Entrance is via the angling gate on Nellmapius Road.

Entry fee

Adults R20, children R10, toddlers R5 and pensioners R20.

Directions

On the R21 take the Irene/Rietvleidam off-ramp and turn in an easterly direction (towards Rietvleidam). At the first four-way stop turn right towards Olifantsfontein and the St George’s Hotel. Drive for 1.5km, crossing the Sesmylspruit. On the left is the signboard for the reserve. Turn left and follow the road up the hill to the main gate. Drive past the stone entrance until you get to the offices and entrance gate.