Experiences

Northern Drakensberg

Hiking in the Drakensberg – Royal Natal National Park

The hiking trails at Royal Natal are situated in the shadow of the towering amphitheatre cliff formation in the Drakensberg. The park offers an array of trails with varying degrees of difficulty and length.

You can amble under the shaded canopy along a gentle stream or challenge yourself to summit some of the higher ridges and hills of the little berg. Perhaps the most popular hike is the Tugela Gorge Trail which follows the mighty Tugela River up to the foot of the Tugela Falls, the highest waterfalls in the world!

Fly fishing – Royal Natal National Park

At Royal Natal they have a well-stocked trout dam. The dam is strictly fly fishing.

o Catch & Release

o 2 fish bag limit

 Horse riding – The Northern Horse

The Northern Horse offers a variety of outrides for riders of different levels of competence. Starting from a 1 hour gentle walk to a full day (6 hour) adventure through the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg. This is a great way to experience the beauty of the Berg with the wind blowing through your hair!

Adrenaline filled activities – All Out Adventures

If you’re feeling daring or just want to get your heart racing then All Out will have an activity for you! They offer a variety of fun-filled activities for young and old.

o Bungee Bounce

o Extreme Cable Tour

o Flying Trapeze

o King Swing

o Paintball

o Quad Tours

o Zip line

Golf – Hlalanathi Amphitheatre golf course

• This 9 hole golf course is a fun but challenging course with winds coming off the mountains providing a bit of excitement. The course provides a relaxing atmosphere for a nice slow round.

o 9 holes

o 18 holes

Tower of Pizza

Enjoy some of the best pizzas in town, with thick crispy bases and delicious toppings. Only a 15 minute drive from Sasi Reception.

Midlands Meander

An hour and a half drive along the N3 you bring you to the lush and beautiful area of the Natal Midlands

The wine cellar

o This quaint little shop is run by a welcoming family that has a true passion for South African wines. The cellar boasts the largest variety of wines in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

• Crafts and curios

o The ugly duckling

o Midlands junction

o Piggly Wiggly

• Craft beer and gin – Notties Brewery

• Indoor go-karting – Checkpoint 103

• Pottery art gallery – Ardmore pottery

• Cheese shop

o Indezi river cheese

o Swissland goats cheese

• History – Nelson Mandela capture site sculpture and museum

• Waterfall – Howick falls and traditional African craft market

• Golf

o Gowrie country club – In the heart of the KZN Midlands sits this absolute gem of a golf course. The immaculate conditions of this course proves why it has been in the top 5 9-hole courses in the country.

o Boschoek golf estate – Yet another excellent 9-hole course in the Midlands that offers some challenging golf with a fair amount of water on the course.

o Victoria country club – VCC sits on the edge of the Pietermaritzburg, but once you’re on this beautiful course you quickly forget about the city that surrounds you.

Central Drakensberg

Hiking – Monk’s Cowl & Cathedral peak

You’ll find Monks Cowl where the road ends and the mountain starts. The various trails range from a gentle walk along the Sterkspruit where you can cool off in a mountain pool and view the Sterkspruit Falls to climbing to the top of the Little Berg escarpment. Monk’s is also a popular starting point for many of the overnight and multi-day hikes to the summit of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Horse riding – Dragon Peaks Resort

Dragon Peaks is situated in the Champagne Valley region of the Central Drakensberg. The sure footed trail horses will carry you through the valleys, streams and hills on the routes they know all too well. There are various durations of rides that can be adjusted to suite the capabilities of different levels of riders.

Reptile house – Dragon Rock Reptile Centre

This interactive and educational tour of critters large and small provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with animals that you wouldn’t normally get to handle.

Bird of prey display – Falcon Ridge

While it is difficult to tear your eyes off the spectacular valley below the bird of prey centre, it is well worth looking up to the skies to see some magnificent falcons and eagles soar above the clouds before plummeting back down to the ground with spectacular speed.

o Displays start at 10:30 and are weather depending

Live concerts – Drakensberg Boys’ Choir

There is nothing quite like experiencing a live music performance. Immerse yourself in the sound of the world renowned Drakensberg Boys’ Choir in their 600 seater auditorium. Their repertoire includes classical, pop, contemporary, and traditional folklore music. Live concerts are performed on Wednesday afternoons at the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School.

Ziplining – Drakensberg Canopy Tours

The valleys of the Drakensberg is filled with indigenous Afromontane forests. The Drakensberg Canopy Tour gives you the chance to swoop among the age old yellowwoods through the forest canopy like a bird. If you’re fortunate you may even spot some of the illusive forest animals.

 Adrenaline filled activities – Four Rivers Adventures

Situated in the foothills of the mighty Champagne Castle formation, Four Rivers has a load of activities on offer for an adrenaline filled outing.

• Quad Track

• Guided Quad Outrides

• Kong Kloofing

• Abseiling

 • Archery

• Paintball

• Zip Line

• White Water Rafting day trip

• Gecko Tubing

Golf

o Monk’s Cowl – This 9 hole course is situated on the Gooderson Monks Cowl Resort and offers a fun and affordable round of golf.

o Champagne Sports Resort – This is possibly the most picturesque golf course in the country! This 18 hole course has achieved a top 10 ranking in South Africa and is an absolute treat to play.

o Cathedral Peak – Laid out in the hills below the age old Cathedral Peak Hotel you’ll find a beautiful 9 hole course. The infamous mountain winds make this course a real challenge for any level of player.

Hot Air Balloon

With views stretching from the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg to Giant’s Castle in the Southern Drakensberg, experience the Drakensberg Mountains from a completely different angle- up in the sky!

Valley Bakery

Stone ground flour and freshly baked breads, biscuits and delicacies make up for this gem in the berg! Visit Valley Bakery for a treat you never expected!

Sandra se Winkel

Another unexpected experience to visit in the Central Berg is Sandra se Winkel. Be transported back in time to witness a little shop once shut up for years and brought back to life as a time travel adventure.