Do fun stuff ... Come on!

There really is loads to do ... you could easily spend a week here and never be at a loose end. But if you just want to kick back and chill out, order a drink from the bar and lie down next to the pool with a good book. While you spend the day recharging your batteries/recovering from last night's party, everyone else will be:

Hiking

The 'berg is a hiker's paradise. In addition to our popular day trips, we can organise overnight hiking trails and day trips to hikes in the surrounding areas.

There are several day-trails in the Royal Natal National Park, including The Gorge, Tiger Falls, The Cascades, and Policeman's helmet. Royal Natal Park is at the bottom of the Apmphitheatre and the well-marked trails lead you into the foothills. We charge R20 per person for the shuttle (there and back) to the Park and the park entry fee is R25. We can also supply you with a packed picnic lunch (cheese and tomato sandwiches, fruit, sweets, and a boiled egg) for R20 per person.



We also organise both day and overnight trips to Cathedral Peak. It's a hard nine-hour hike to the summit, so you should be reasonably experienced and fit. There are also longer trails in the 'berg, but you need to know the area, or be with a guide who does in order to attempt them.

Fishing on a dam at sunset
One of our dams

Fly-fishing and Sterkfontein Dam

There are two dams right on our property that contain bass, bluegill, and catfish. There are several excellent venues for catching trout on the fly in the area. Mahai dam in the Royal Natal Park is stocked with trout and you can also catch wild trout in the Tugela river. Park entry is R25 per person and R60 per rod - you can take a maximum of 3 fish per rod from the dam or river.

In Cathedral Peak Park wild trout can be caught in the Mlambonja river and dam. Park entry is R20 and R65 per rod. A maximum of 2 fish per rod can be taken out.

swimming at sterkfontein dam
Sterkfontein dam

Sterkfontein dam

Sterkfontein dam is well worth a visit, whether for fishing or a cool swim in summer. It is the longest dam in the country, and suitable for kite-surfing. Park entry is R30 per car (a maximum of 5 occupants). There are no fishing fees and the widest variety of indigenous fish in the country. Here you can catch yellowfish—famous for their fighting spirit—as well as trout and huge catfish.

Girl enjoying abseiling
Abseiling is fun!

Abseiling and climbing

This area has some really great climbing, whether you're just beginning or are an expert. There are many bolted sports routes, established traditional routes and ample opportunities for bouldering. Try our climbing day trips.





If you're not really into climbing, why not try abseiling—it's great fun. Our qualified climbing instructors will make sure that you're safe. For only R85 per person you'll hike up to the top of Mpokolana Peak in the beautiful Pokolane Nature Reserve, and abseil down from the peak (if you want to). Come on, feel the adrenaline rush!

Cycling next to a river bed
There are attractive cycling routes on our property

Horse riding and Mountain biking

We have mountain bikes for hire - R50 for half a day. You can cycle on our large property - or arrange to be dropped off at one of the Parks.

Horse-riding is also very popular. We can take you to Rugged Glen for either a 2,3, or 6 hour ride. Unless you are an experienced rider, you should probably go for the 2 hour ride.

Graves at the spionkop battlefield
Graves at Spionkop

Historical Tours

This area was of critical importance during the Anglo-Boer war. Ladysmith was beseiged by the Boer forces during the longest seige of the war. Nearby Spionkop was the location of one of the war's most lethal battles when relieving British forces became disoriented in the mist and ended up digging in mere meters from the Boer positions. When the mist lifted, each side was surprised and horrified to see the "enemy" and battle commenced.

We organise battlefields tours which are guided by a local expert on the history of the area. You need to contact us beforehand to negotiate these tours, as we need to determine the availability of the guide, arrange access etc.

Lammergeier (bearded vulture)
The endangered bearded vulture

Game viewing

This area has the largest indigenous forest in the Drakensberg range and the richest concentration of rock paintings in the world.

It is a bird-watcher's paradise – at the lodge itself you are likely to spot various large crane species, the hammerkop, and secretary birds. This is one of the last places in the world where you can see the bearded vulture ("Lammergeier"). At "vulture restaurants" you will see large numbers of the Cape Vulture. Several eagle species live here

A wide variety of animals, such as baboons, eland (the largest antelope species), jackals, mongoose, and hyrax (rock-rabbits) can be viewed here. Although you'd be very lucky to spot one, leopard are well established in the area. If you're very, very lucky you may even be eaten by one.

There are three game reserves nearby: Weenen, Spionkop, and Nambhiti (near Ladysmith). If you have an extra day to spare, it's well worth taking a drive in your car to these reserves.