Antbear Eco Lodge

Estcourt, KZN

Discover Drakensberg’s Hidden Gem at Antbear Eco Lodge

From the beginning

Your hosts are Andrew and Conny Attwood and we have lived here in the Drakensberg region for more than 20 years. Andrew is South African and Conny is from Germany. We moved to the Drakensberg leaving a corporate lifestyle behind us, in search of living a slower and more self-sufficient lifestyle.

20 Years ago, an antbear lived under the rotted floorboards in a ruin on a dilapidated farm in rural Kwazulu Natal. Conny and I discovered this ruin, and our journey of sustainable living started. We were sad when the Antbear moved out due to our renovations and made itself a home on the hill. Its spirit lives on through the name of our lodge.

We are home to horses, donkeys, a few cows, a flock of sheep, some geese, turkeys, ducks, chickens, dogs and some cats. Most of our animals have been rescues and have now found a haven to live out their lives safely. The dogs love to walk and are always willing to show guests the place. Conny is passionate about her horses and practices the gentler horse whispering methods to train them.

We make an effort in conservation too and take our responsibility as stewards looking after this farm seriously. Removal of alien invader species like wattle, hawthorn and American bramble is an ongoing battle. Poaching is kept to a minimum and that is mostly due to our relationship with our community. Our latest project in partnership with a neighbor farm is establishing a vulture restaurant together with a vulture hide. The hope is that the vulture hide will be taken on by tourists wanting to photograph vultures and the funding can be put back into new vulture conservation efforts.

What makes Antbear Lodge such a unique Drakensberg experience!

There are a lot of compelling reasons that make Antbear Lodge such a unique Drakensberg experience. That is why so many tourists choose to stay at our lodge and keep returning again and again and why so many of them post such rave reviews about their stay at Antbear Lodge.

Overnight in a luxury cave

Experience something different. Overnight in a secluded luxury cave with a Jacuzzi spa bath and open fireplace. Glass doors open on to a deck with an uninterrupted panoramic view of the Drakensberg Mountains. With hammock chairs on the deck this is the perfect a location for a sun downer.

Farm to fork

We use our own organic vegetable garden. We have our own chickens for eggs, cows for milk, make own cheese. Butter and yogurt and bake our own bread. Come and share some of Andrew’s and Conny’s dream of a sustainable lifestyle.

It’s all about you!

Antbear Lodge is a small lodge that caters for your personal preferences like dietary requirements, special options for birthdays and arrangements special arrangements for activities. Just ask us and we will find a way to incorporate what you want to experience

Pet friendly

Antbear Lodge is the most pet-friendly place in the Drakensberg. With some units that have fenced in gardens and spectacular walking trails where you can walk off lead this pet friendly lodge really offers the perfect place to bring your child with paws.

Star gazing hammock camp

Let Mlindeni, a local villager, fetch you after dinner and guide you down to his star gazing hammock camp which he prepares with blankets and hot water bottles. Listen to his African folktales of how the sun and moon are in the sky, why the sky is so far away and how the hunters are guided home by a maiden who created the milky way.

Horse trails for beginners

Antbear Lodge practices the gentler horse whispering methods to train our horses and offer horse trails ideally suited to beginners.

Abseiling

Drakensberg Abseiling offers a safe and controlled environment for abseiling. Stepping backwards over the edge and descending down the cliff unleashing an adrenaline rush and boosting your self confidence.

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Hot air balloon flights can be arranged that launch from the lawn in front of the lodge. Take off is 10 mins before sunrise so you catch it from the balloon basket as you ascend.

Workshops

Learn a new skill like cheese making or wood working or even building from straw bales. Antbear Lodge has inspired some many guests to try something new out of their comfort zone.

Hiking Trails

Enjoy the hiking trail options on the property. Hike to the top of the hill on a 3 hour round trip where you can take in some spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Take a picnic lunch with you. A shorter 1 hour trail that visits the dams on the property makes for a lovely stroll in the afternoon.

Where is Antbear Lodge?

Antbear Lodge is situated in the Drakensberg Mountains of Kwazulu Natal near to Giants Castle in South Africa. This is the perfect location to explore both the Drakensberg Mountains and The Kwazulu Natal Midlands.

Accommodation in the Drakensberg at Antbear Lodge

Luxury Cave

The luxury cave certainly offers something unique. This is an upmarket Eco experience merging a nature stay in a Drakensberg cave with all the comforts. King size double bed. Amenities include bathrobe, bathroom amenities, separate Jacuzzi spa tub and shower, tea and coffee tray, maid service, slippers wood burning fireplace with sitting area, hair dryer and mini bar fridge.

Garden View Suite

Garden view suite are the smaller accommodation options with a view into their own gardens. Queen size double beds. Amenities include bathrobe, bathroom amenities and shower, tea and coffee tray, maid service, slippers wood burning fireplace with sitting area, hair dryer and mini bar fridge.

The garden view suites are cozy accommodation units with a direct view of the onto the garden. These units also have fireplaces, small lounges and some even have Jacuzzi spa baths. As soon as you walk out of your garden the views of the Drakensberg are revealed in all their splendor.

Mountain View Suite

With an uninterrupted view of the mountains the mountain view suite boast king size double beds. Amenities include bathrobe, bathroom amenities, separate jacuzzi spa tub and shower, tea and coffee tray, maid service, slippers wood burning fireplace with sitting area, hair dryer and mini bar fridge

King size double bed / twin bed options. We can always add an extra bed too. Amenities include bathrobe, bathroom amenities, separate jacuzzi spa tub and shower, tea and coffee tray, maid service, slippers wood burning fireplace with sitting area, hair dryer and mini bar fridge.