Drakensberg Mountain Retreat
Bergville, KZN
Drakensberg Mountain Retreat is a stunning destination in the Northern Drakensberg only 20 km beyond Sterkfontein Dam.
Situated high on a ridge overlooking the magnificent Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains, many have said that the views are unsurpassed. It offers much more than comfortable, affordable country-style accommodation. Spectacular views, vast spaces, wild winds (and horses too!) together with superb walks when one may come across Cape Eland and other species of game, make it the perfect place to experience the beauty and magnificence of this sought-after region. The deep silences, unfamiliar at first, will soon work their magic rejuvenating body and mind. This is indeed a place to relax, unwind, take stock, and find peace.
It is also a haven for those who like old-fashioned, relaxing holidays with excellent home-style cooking, reading near the fireplace, playing cards /board games, etc. and creating wonderful memories with family and friends.
To sum up, it is a perfect base from which individuals, families or groups can experience the grandeur of the mighty Northern Drakensberg with a choice of either fully catered or self-catering accommodation.
Our two accommodation options are situated within walking distance from one another.
Accommodation:
Vergezient Lodge
Vergezient Lodge consists of 9 rooms offering double and family-sized accommodation on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis. Rates vary per room and can be found on the rates page. We offer a fully stocked bar and lunch can be arranged on request.
The Lodge, with its numerous lounges and fireplaces, is comfortably furnished and blends rustic charm with old-fashioned elegance. The en-suite bedrooms are tastefully decorated with some bedrooms incorporating a lounge, with or without a fireplace.
The lounge, dining-room and enclosed verandah provide comfortable and generous spaces. In addition, guests can enjoy the 100km-long panoramic view of the Central and Northern Berg incorporating both the Amphitheatre and Royal Natal National Park, one of the absolute best views of the Drakensberg!
Delicious home-cooked meals prepared with care and served by our friendly staff, are an important part of one’s stay at Drakensberg Mountain Retreat especially the 3-course set menu candlelit dinners loved by our guests.
Room 1:
A spacious upstairs room with spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountain Range through large wooden framed windows. It is furnished with a small lounge, dressing table, coffee/tea station, a queen bed and single bed.En-suite shower, toilet and basin.
Room 2:
A cozy upstairs room with a beautiful view of the Drakensberg Mountain Range. This room is furnished with a very comfortable queen bed, a dressing table and a coffee/tea making station. Open plan shower and separate toilet and basin.
Room 3:
An up-stairs family room with a view of the Drakensberg Mountain Range for the whole family to enjoy. This room is furnished with a comfortable queen bed, two single beds and a coffee/tea making station. Open plan shower and separate toilet and basin.
Room 4:
The best value for money. This up-stairs room has a good view of the Drakensberg Mountain Range. It is furnished with a comfortable queen bed, coffee/tea making station and a coffee table with sitting area. Open plan shower and separate toilet and basin.
Room 5:
On the ground floor, this large room is furnished with a comfortable queen bed, small lounge, wood-burning fire place, dressing table, bar fridge and a coffee/tea making station. private patio. Ensuite bathroom with shower and bath. Stunning sunset view.
Room 6:
On the ground floor, this large room is furnished with a comfortable queen bed, small lounge, wood-burning fire place, dressing table, bar fridge and a coffee/tea making station. Private patio. Ensuite bathroom with bath and shower. Stunning sunset view.
Room 7:
On the ground floor, this room is attached to its own conservatory garden with summer flowers and green lawns. The room is furnished with a comfortable queen bed, a single bed and a dressing table. En-suite shower, toilet and basin.
Room 8:
Groundfloor, this room is attached to the conservatory gardens. Furnished with a queen bed and a single bed. En-suite shower, toilet and basin.
Room 10:
On the ground floor and separated from the lodge by the indoor pool area, this private room has its own patio and garden.The large room is furnished with a comfortable queen bed and 2 single beds. En-suite shower toilet and basin.
The Zondertwyfel Barnhouse:
Sleeps 25
The Barnhouse offers exclusive use accommodation for group bookings. The perfect venue for a company breakaway, conference, retreat or getting the whole family together for some quality time. With self-catering available in the well-equipped kitchen, you have the freedom to cook whatever and whenever you choose to.
It has 5 en-suite bedrooms sleeping 12 people, and 4 dormitory-type rooms that can accommodate up to13 people. This allows a group of up to 25 people to be accommodated here. The dormitory rooms have the use of 2 separate ablutions with showers, toilets and basins. Should the group be larger than 25 persons, both the Barnhouse and the Lodge may be used for accommodation purposes.
The comfortable Barnhouse is generously proportioned. A wood-burning stove in the open-plan kitchen / dining room and fireplaces in the lounges provide cosy comfort on even the coldest days. These, together with the large veranda, flower-filled conservatories, indoor pool and large function room – all with incredible views – ensure guests will enjoy a comfortable, relaxing stay regardless of the vagaries of the weather.
Self-catering for the Barnhouse is exclusively for group bookings as there is one kitchen. The TV and Pool table in the Lodge are for the exclusive use of Lodge residents unless special arrangements are made with Management for an event.
If you’re looking for more information on our accommodation and what we have to offer should you book the Barnhouse, simply fill in our online enquiry form and we will be in touch or you can give us a call directly!
Amenities:
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Fireplace
- Ideal for groups
Hiking:
We offer 9 hiking trails ranging from easy strolls to full day hikes.
Day Hikes
(These are strenuous hikes)
Our Wingswept Trail:
Approximately 13km long. Starting from the Zonderntwyfel Barn house, the trail takes the hiker to the highest point of Vergezient and offers some incredible views of the surrounding mountains. From here a dragon-back dolerite ridge leads to Protea Pavement with close-up views of two landmarks: The Kerkenberg and Mpokelana Hill. Lower down an enormous rock, one of Wingswept’s photographic delights, marks the Place of the Hyena. The trail then descends through the beautiful Oom Pieters se Bos. From the forest you will hike along Western Pass Kloof which is easy going. From here the trail continues to Abseil Kranz, over which plummets the 50m high Vergezient Falls. There is a short cliff edge walk before circling back to the hike starting point.
The New Beginnings Trail:
13.5km long and as with Wingswept, begins and ends at the Barn house. lt descends to the very bottom end of the land, marked by one of Vergezient’s most spectacular physical features, The New Beginnings Cave. From the Barn house, the trail follows the cliff edge westwards to Yellowwood Kloof where it drops to the second terrace and to Folly Ridge Falls. A steep zigzagging kloofing section leads to the Old Opstal, an old house built over a century ago and an appealing photographic subject. The trail picks up on an old road which is an easy walk to The Ford, where the Vergezient Stream is crossed with natural splash pools. From here, a short but narrow steep natural passage will take you to the New Beginnings Cave where panels of Bushman art testify to Stone Age use. From the cave starts the long ascent back to the Barn house. The natural staircase to the top takes in two kloofs – the first, at Vergezient Falls with our largest natural pool. Beyond the pool the trail tunnels through dense vegetation along the base of the cliffs before climbing out to above the waterfall. The final kloof is a steep but straight forward bouldering ascent which ends up on a grassy ridge close to the Barn house.
Three Hour Rambles
Razor’s Edge:
Please note that certain parts of this trail have become inaccessible so please discuss this with reception. This trail drops down from the Barn house into Vergezient Kloof from where it traverses across steep slopes arriving at Razor’s Edge. On steep slopes, views and highlights of The Wall (a smooth cliff with a bridal fall that drops over the cliff edge into the forest below) and Cussonia Quad(where Keipersol species are represented). Turning north the trail follows the edge of the escarpment and looks into Kwa-Zulu Natal. Further on, at Old Trail’s View, the wagon route pioneered by Piet Retief’s Voortrekkers in 1838 can be seen. From here the trail cuts across Lightfoot Ridge, an easy walk back.
Dragon’s Spine:
Provides hikers with an easy walk. Hugging cliff edges, the trail repeatedly dips into a yellowwood forest before ascending gradually to Heldersig viewpoint with its stunning views in every direction.
Our Easy Strolls
Cliff Edge:
This provides a bird’s eye view of indigenous forests and the Berg, and is ideal for the early morning, or late afternoon. You might even see some of the beautiful . This walk is also suitable for children.
Homefields:
Rewarding, especially at sunrise. It offers views deep into KwaZulu-Natal. With the seasonal splendour of the Silver Sugarbush Proteas and an abundance of bird life including Sunbirds.
Heldersig:
This leads to the highest point on the Dragon’s Spine. At the summit you can just about see forever. A stunning 360 panorama of KwaZulu Natal and the Orange Freestate. Keep an eye out for the famous Black Eagles soaring nearby.
Rates:
Vergezient Lodge:
Room 1:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 2:
R1670.00 pp.pn – Single
R1120.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 3:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 4:
R1670.00 pp.pn – Single
R1120.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 5:
R2170.00 pp.pn – Single
R1450.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 6:
R2170.00 pp.pn – Single
R1450.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 7:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 8:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 8:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 9:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
Room 10:
R1940.00 pp.pn – Single
R1290.00 pp.pn – Sharing
The Barnhouse:
Self-catering
- Min 8 Pax
- R4840.00 – sharing pp.pm
- R2420.00 – 2nd pp.pn
- R0.00 – 3rd/4th pp.pn
- R400.00 – 5th – 25th pp.pn
Admin Fee:
- R55.00 – Once off per reservations
Vergezient Hiking Trail
The Barnhouse
The Lodge – Room 1
The Lodge – Room 2
The Lodge – Room 3
The Lodge – Room 4
The Lodge – Room 5
The Lodge – Room 6
The Lodge – Room 7
The Lodge – Room 8
The Lodge – Room 10
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