INTERNATIONAL ECLECTICISM and other Drakensberg, South Africa Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Unique Qualities: This is one of those possibilities for a quintessential South African/International experience. Situated high in the foothills of the Drakensberg, you have a grand view to the north with the Drakensberg Escarpment visible from Giant's Castle all the way to the Amphtitheatre at Royal Natal National Park. The setting is country rustic with chickens and the occasional grey rhebuck wandering about on the lawns. Eclectic and whimsy is evident throughout with the larger rooms enjoying jacuzzi tubs and lofts and the smaller rooms still very comfortable. There is a large central house containing the kitchen, a large dining room and a comfortable lounge replete with books and magazines and a large magical fireplace. Andrew and Connie are very amiable hosts with plenty of stories from their colorful lives. but it is not a one-way conversation around the breakfast/dinner table. This is where the guesthouse concept truly takes off. I spent four nights here and guests came and went from countries like Belgium, the US, South Africa, Germany and Denmark. Conversation takes the place of electronic media. Social intercourse making the World seem smaller. These are the moments when vacations can take on a bit of magic, sitting there under thatched rusticity. Conviviality in the extreme, I recommend staying here for several days to take advantage of the hospitality and the location - many places to see in the immediate vicinity (Kamberg, Giants Castle, Champagne Valley, the KwaZulu battlefields, Weenen Game Reserve, African Stork Reserve, etc). Check out Andrew's extensive website for lots more ideas!

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Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Website: http://www.antbear.com/

The original thought had been to push a road up over the Escarpment into Lesotho from Phuthaditjhabab on the Free State side. That road ends at the Sentinel Car Park with the last chance for cold beer some 6-7 rough miles lower down at the Witzieschoek Mountain Resort. The road was never finished, but the Chain Ladders were built by the same man who was responsible for the Witzieschoek Mountain Resort, the Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse atop Oliviershoek on highway N74 and the Drakensberg Inn in Bergville - Otto Zunckel. Otto was also responsible for building this stone hut near the top of Thukela Falls. The original cabin had tables, chairs, beds with mattresses, a stove and a fireplace. The cabin had been open to all mountaineers. With time, the cabin had been ransacked and fell into disrepair. Lately, the cabin has been repaired - albeit minus the chairs, tables, beds and mattresses, but it was repaired to make room for rangers of the EZKZN (KZN Park rangers) as their home atop the rim. Luckily for most of us - I guess - the Park rangers are rarely out and about so there is usually no problem laying you sleeping bag out on one of the floors and keeping your tent folded away. It is much easier to endure that thunderstorm with pelting rain from inside these stone walls and metal roof, than from outside in a tent. Here, I speak from personal experience.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive

Out in the wilds of the upper Drakensberg, you are on your own for shelter. There are no accommodations of any kind up here besides the occasional herdsmen’s hut or overhanging cave. The benefit is that you normally have the valley you camp in to yourself and with a good clear night, you have a whole lot of night sky to gaze up at. A whole lot of quiet to go along with that, as well.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive