Drakensberg Hotels

• poortrekkers
• Reviews: 56

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Umzimkulu River Lodge: A hidden gem in the southern berg

Stay here.

We happened to drive by looking for a place to have lunch, when Steve happened to be passing by; he invited us in for lunch and showed us the grounds and inside one of the beautiful self-catering cottages. Although we didn't stay here, we have a great deal of experience with Berg area stays (north, central and southern) and this would rank first on our list for our next visit.

We've found that the best accommodations are those with the friendliest, most flexible owners; this would be no exception. We highly recommend a stay at this cozy retreat.

The grounds are attractive, inviting and well maintained, there are ample amenities beyond just the excellent self-catering cottages, wonderful views, and we were pleased to see things of interest for young kids. The luxury log cabin, though beyond what we typically seek out, was stunning, with large open spaces and views overlooking the entry into the Umzimkulu River's Thrombosis Gorge.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Backpacking, Hiking and Walking
• Written February 6, 2011

On the deck overlooking the river

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• littlebush
• Reviews: 934

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• CatherineReichardt
• Reviews: 1606

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The Cavern: The ideal family hotel in the 'Berg

The Cavern is one of those 'old style' family hotels that the Drakensberg does so very well: somehow this seems the wrong location for glitz and glamour! It has a stunning location in the Northern 'Berg, close to the Royal Natal National Park (which makes an ideal half or full day trip). These hotels were established at a time when the transport network wasn't as well developed, and aimed to provide a 'one stop' family holiday experience: as a result, you can have a marvellous time without leaving the property, although it would also make a good centre for touring the surrounding region. It has lovely grounds, and a gorgeous swimming pool with a water slide as well as a range of other sporting amenities.
As for most of the hotels in this area, the rate is all inclusive - that is, including three substantial meals a day, so the only extras you'll pay for are drinks and activities such as horse riding. This makes budgeting a lot easier, as there are fewer unwelcome surprises on your final bill! There are usually special rates available out of season - for example, pay for 3 night and stay 4 - so check the website for what's on offer.
The Cavern markets itself extremely well - which includes positioning itself beautifully in the niche catering for families. I should state that we would not usually choose to stay in hotels as a family, as we prefer the flexibility and affordability of self catering accommodation. However, if we feel like treating ourselves to a family holiday in a hotel in the Berg, this would definitely be our choice.

The Cavern is extremely family-friendly, offering lots of kiddy-oriented amenities and activities, as well as a separate dining room for kids, where they are supervised by trained staff whilst the adults eat in the grown up dining room next door. Having said that, there is no 'exclusion policy' - the days of South African apartheid are, after all over - so you are welcome to join your offspring in 'their' dining room if you don't want to entrust them to someone else.
Even more important, The Cavern offers several family rooms with interleading rooms, so parents can have the best of both worlds: proximity and easy access to their children, whilst enjoying the privacy of their own bedroom.
Look on their excellent website for other family-friendly offerings - they have an entire page on their website devoted to this, which tells you how seriously they take this aspect of their business, and it's nice to know that they really do deliver on this commitment. The other great advantage of spending time with your family in a family-friendly hotel like this is that there are almost always other kids around, which gives the little ones someone else close to their own age to play with (and their parents a bit of a break)!
One note of caution: the accommodation is located on a steep slope behind the main hotel building. This is fine for able-bodied adults, but can seem like a bit of a hike if you're pushing a pram, pushchair or lugging around heaps of baby paraphernalia, so try and ask for accommodation closest to the hotel building and plan so that you don't have to return to your room any more often than necessary! (the same comment would apply to guests with limited mobility).
The Cavern also offers a fantastic range of other activities - organised hikes, horse and pony riding, as well as 'theme' weekends, from their popular bird spotting programmes to stargazing weekends - again, see the website for what's on offer.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Family Travel
• Written May 22, 2010

Main hotel building at the Cavern

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• Jenniflower
• Reviews: 1567

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Injisuthi: Getting back to nature: Injisuthi

My husband and I spent a few days in Injisuthi in January 2009, a couple of days on our own and then with his family, who had come up from Cape Town.

I didn't think that much of the accommodation to be honest, there is a lounge, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, but they aren't fitted out so well, and although you can say 'well, this is a National Park, and a lot cheaper...' this is the worse we have come across in our travels in South Africa - we have stayed at many National Parks and this is by far the worse. The beds were also very uncomfortable.

Having said that, they were clean and serviced daily.

This area is right amidst the mountains, and is overlooked by Monks Cowl peaks. There are waterfalls, rivers and forests to explore and swim in... we had a lovely time fishing and being with family.

Please note the following!

(1) There is a little shop where you can charge your batteries as there are no electrical points in the huts!

(2) Lights go out at 10pm too every night, as they operate via a generator.

(3) There is no mobile reception here and the only landline (in the manager's offce) is not working as the copper wiring was stolen a few months ago!!!!

(4) The road to and from the camp is 31 kms of sheer misery too.. I highly recommend you drive a 4x4 to get here. The road was terrible getting there, while we were there, there were huge downpours, and some of the road was actually flooded and washed away...

(5) The camp recommends you do not drive the 31 kms of road when it is dark as there have been incidents in the past with passing cars... you drive through a settlement.

(5) There is a big baboon problem here... you have to keep all your windows closed at all times or else they get in... and there is no fan system inside the hut, so you boil inside.

(6) The shop is VERY expensive, get your supplies prior to coming. There is no fresh bread/rolls available here.

(7) I am a chronic asthmatic and had recently been hospitalised, so my lungs were still really weak when I came here and I have to say the thought of no communication and being so far away from medical help was a huge worry to me.

So... I would think twice before coming here again.. even though it is so beautiful and it happens to be a firm favourite of the inlaws.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Birdwatching, Hiking and Walking, Fishing
• Written March 21, 2009

View from our hut

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• Jenniflower
• Reviews: 1567

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Wits End: Charming family accommodation in Champagne Valley

Wits End is situated in Champagne Valley, amidst the Drakensberg Mountains. It is family run and is homely and comfortable. If you want a relaxing time away with your family, this is the place to come to.

We came here to celebrate my mum's 60th birthday... with family from England and South Africa getting together. My whole immediate family was here except for my brother and his family in the States. So it holds poignant memories for me, not only because it was a delightful place to visit, but because it was with my much loved and much missed mum and brother and his family.

They have a variety of accommodation available (all self catering cottages), and we had a large 8 bed cottage. It had 4 big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a big kitchen with an ope plan lounge area. There was a covered patio area where e ate our meals together, out by the braai area, being overlooked by the gorgeous Champagne Castle peak!

We had a couple of big thunder storms (typical for the area), where they last for about an hour with tremendous rain and thunder and lightening... and one night we even had hail! The lights went out twice, and one night we had to do everything by candlelight :)

They have a 10 acre dam with rainbow trout and Natal yellow fish, and guests fish here plus canoe. My husband did a spot of fishing here from a boat.. the sides of the banks were too steep for him to stand and fish from (he does fly fishing), so the boat it was!

There are plenty of birds in the indigenous gardens which is a priority in their ecologically friendly policy. They also have a resident donkey (which we named Simon), 2 domestic pigs, a jack russel and some gorgeous horses, which you can horse ride on. It is a child friendly resort for sure.

There is a table tennis game area, darts, a trampoline and climbing gym for the kids, plus, for all the family... a gorgeous rock pool... whihc we practically lived in as it was so hot!

There are local hikes and walks and specific hikes through the local forest to find bushman art. You would need a guided walk for this, which the management can arrange for you.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Family Travel, Fishing, Hiking and Walking
• Written March 21, 2009

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• Gili_S
• Reviews: 4510

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Sani Valley Lodge: Lodge

I could leave you only with that and had to add few inside photos and view from our lodge.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Written December 22, 2008

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• Gili_S
• Reviews: 4510

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Sani Valley Lodge: Lodge

We stayed in the Sani Valley Lodge, what a fantastic place, great location, beautiful and romantic, I was sad to leave it after few days.

The location in Sani Valley is just amazing.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Written December 22, 2008

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• PierreZA
• Reviews: 1066

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Champagne Valley Resort: Self Catering with a bit of luxury

Beautifully furnished, spacious self-catering cottages. They have large fireplaces, hi-fi equipment, TV and video machines, microwave ovens and spa baths.
Great views of the mountains.
Trout fishing available, and many more that you can do at the resort.

Fishing, Hiking, Birding, Swimming pool, Tennis, Golf (9 holes), Mini golf, Children's
playground, Clubhouse, Babysitting

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Written August 3, 2008

Views of the Central Berg Area

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• PierreZA
• Reviews: 1066

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Wits End: Self Catering

Good self-catering accommodation. There are different options available, depending on what your needs are. We had a 3-bedroom with a well equipped kitchen, satellite TV. Great fire-place in the living area. The units are loose standing. Wits end is very centrally located, opposite to where the Drakensberg Boys Choir school is.
There is a dam on the property with canoes and boats available for rowing.
Tariffs: You pay per house (chalet) and not per person. We paid ZAR 780 (+/- 90 UDS) for a 3-bedroom unit per day. (2008)
The website is very informative and helpful.

Central location
Reasonably priced

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Budget Travel, Eco-Tourism
• Written August 3, 2008

Wits End

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