Drakensberg Experience invited us to explore the beauty of, and the fun things to do in, Central Drakensberg. From getting our hearts racing at Vertical Rush Adventure Centre to the amazing accommodation and food at Champagne Castle Hotel, it was a truly memorable trip.
Only a three-hour drive from Umhlanga, Central Drakensberg is the perfect escape from day-to-day life to ease the mind and body surrounded by breathtaking scenery, but also to ignite your sense of adventure.
Our trip started with a visit to the quaint Valley Bakery. They offer delicious cakes, breakfasts, lunches, local goods and artisanal breads. With a kiddies’ play area, beautiful gardens and art adorning their walls, this spot is a must-visit. We enjoyed generous slices of their scrumptious chocolate cake and lemon and rosemary cake, alongside great cappuccinos. It was the perfect treat after the drive.
The Berg is also home to many activities to get your adrenaline fix. We tried out Vertical Rush Adventure Centre’s Cable Trail or via Ferrata – a 300-metre cliff traverse of which there are only two in the country! Clipped onto a cable line strung along a cliff face, you follow a hiking trail through uneven terrain and lush vegetation, as well as on bridges. Don’t worry – you do have a short ‘training session’ before you head out! The highlight of this experience is that, as the trail is quite high up, you get to enjoy gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. It was challenging, yet very manageable. This was a truly unique experience, and it definitely got my heart racing. If their Vertical Rush doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, Adventure Centre also offers Scootours (tours on non-motorised scooters) and white river tubing, abseiling and king swing.
After that adventure, it was time to settle into our accommodation. Champagne Castle Hotel offers the perfect mix of tranquillity and luxury, nestled below the third-highest peak in South Africa, Champagne Castle (3377 metres), within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg mountain range, the highest mountain range in South Africa. With incredible views, tasty food, friendly service, and elegant but cosy rooms, it is the ultimate Central Drakensberg accommodation.
The hotel’s rooms have all the extras you may need, from snacks and a bottle of red wine to extra blankets and gowns. We stayed in one of their mountain-facing rooms which afford spectacular views. Another spot perfect for admiring the majestic mountain scenes is the deck. With a cocktail, beer or glass of wine in hand from the quaint and well-stocked Abel’s Bar, many guests relax here before lunch or dinner, with fires lit on colder days.
Speaking of food, Champagne Castle Hotel offers scrumptious meals country buffet style with a large selection of choices for every taste or craving. From flavourful soups and spicy curries to perfectly cooked fillet, pork, chicken or duck and a variety of vegetable dishes, it’s difficult not to go back to fill up your plate with a second or third helping, before ending it all off with a selection of desserts. Their breakfast offering is also vast – yoghurt and fruits, cold meats, eggs freshly made the way you like, warm dishes, and baked goods. If that isn’t enough, afternoon tea is also served including coffee, teas and freshly baked scones.
If you’re looking to keep the adventure alive during your visit, the hotel offers many activities. Take a walk down to their tranquil trout dam for some fishing, join their daily guided hikes along the many trails, play tennis, bowls or badminton on their well-kept courts, swim in their impressive pool, attend a horse riding lesson, or battle it out in a game of table tennis, darts or pool in the games room. A stroll around the grounds is also a must to visit the stables and animal farm and, of course, appreciate the lush forest and mountain scenery.
If you are wanting a more restful trip, there are also cosy lounge rooms (the perfect location to get into your next read), loungers by the pool to enjoy the sunshine, and a Wellness Centre to treat yourself to massage, facial or masque treatments.
It is also worth exploring more of what Central Drakensberg offers. Champagne Castle Hotel kindly organised a round of golf at Champagne Sports Resort for us. As someone who comes from a family of golfers, the course was one of the most well-maintained and scenic courses I have ever visited. It provides a challenging yet enjoyable game for all levels of golfers and will have you in awe of the views.
Overall, it was an unforgettable trip to the beautiful Central Drakensberg. We can’t wait to escape to the mountains again sometime soon!
Words: Jordyn Trollip
http://www.champagnecastle.co.za
http://www.adventurecentre.co.za