The Midlands Herald Page 11 — 27th July 2007

The Northern ‘Berg Magnificent

The Northern ‘Berg, with its magnificent Amphitheatre, is
looking stunning at the moment, as we found last week . . .
Montusi
Right: Montusi’s 14
individual garden suites
provide superb views of the
magnificent Drakensberg
Amphitheatre.
CATHKIN PARK RESERVATIONS Montusi Moun-
For all your Drakensberg accommodation: “One call does it all”. tain Lodge is the
only exclusive lodge
Tel. 036-468 1091, fax 086-675 3235 or e-mail cathkinpark@futurenet.co.za
in the northern
Drakensberg Moun-
tains (a World Heri-
tage Site), and is
situated 70km off
the N3 halfway be-
tween Johan-
nesburg and Durban
Your one call to us will give you, all free of charge: in KwaZulu-Natal. picnic site for special occasion lunches.
1) the rates offered by all the leading hotels, B&B and self-catering establish- The lodge is situated in the pristine, quiet The Lodge is also close to the Amphi-
ments — including an exclusive B&B ideal for a honeymoon couple — in the Cavern valley and has superb views of the theatre Golf Course.
Central and Northern Drakensberg; magnificent Drakensberg Amphitheatre from Treat yourself to a community project re-
2) guidance to the type of accommodation best suited to your needs;
each of its 14 individual garden suites. laxation massage or basic manicure or pedi-
3) the administration necessary to secure your reservation, including directions
to your destination.
Here you can relax in absolute peace and cure.
Your reasons for visiting the Drakensberg may include a holiday, honeymoon, tranquillity. At the Adventure Centre you can swing
overnight stay, planning or attending a wedding, leisure group or conference. Each suite stands alone in the garden and on the flying trapeze or enjoy paintball, quad
Whatever it is, we have a venue for you. Please contact us for winter specials at has a bedroom with a king-sized double bed, bikes, gorge swing, zip line and the king
various hotels and self-catering units. bathroom with a bath and separate walk-in swing.
For information and reservations in the Central and Northern Drakensberg, shower, lounge with a TV, Jetmaster gas Our superb cuisine, like our homemade
contact Fiona. We offer a professional, friendly and efficient service ! hotrock fireplace and a tea/coffee making bread, chocolate and desserts, is quite ad-
unit with a small fridge for fresh milk and dictive!
your drinks. Personalised service from friendly staff

Savouring Your own private covered parking is right

beside your suite.
Hike or horse-ride in the mountains, swim
in the dams or the natural rock-coloured
swimming pool, enjoy birding and fly-fish-
ing and discover for yourself our secluded
makes this owner-run lodge a delight.
And don’t forget that midweek specials
are also available.
Telephone Montusi Mountain Lodge at
036-438 6243, fax 036-438 6566 or view
website www.montusi.za.net

Alpine Heath Resort —

Those who know me would expect a comment
on the cuisine, and yes, it’s to say that Little
Switzerland’s rates among the best in the ‘Berg.
One of the highlights of a stay at this
mountaintop resort on the Oliviershoek Pass
is the incomparable, buffetstyle meal —
whether you’re enjoying an English cooked
breakfast after a refreshing sleep or an exqui-
site dinner after a wonderful day — all served
in Little Switzerland’s incomparable style.
When I stayed there last week, this hotel
was looking as magnificent as ever.
The rooms were stunningly renovated not
long ago, and consist of luxurious executive
suites, some with jacuzzi baths, the very com-
fortable deluxe rooms and selfcatering chalets
with fireplaces.
Mine was of course a one night business
trip, but for those needing to rest you’ll find
that the rooms are both spacious and comfort-
entertainment capital
of the Drakensberg
Left, below
left and be-
low right:
What else but
the beauty of
our Drakens-
berg? Here we
feature Little
Switzerland
Hotel near the top of the Oliviershoek
Pass, just past Bergville.
able and come complete with a beautifully fin-
ished bathroom, TV and coffee bar.
And of course the views from them are in-
comparable — Perched high at the top of the
Oliviershoek Pass, this charming hotel looks
down onto a striking vista from the Amphi-
theatre on one side to the Malutis on the other.
For outdoor activity, there is tennis, bowls,
volleyball, croquet, puttputt, horseriding, lei-
surely strolls, rapp jumping, mountainbiking
or a refreshing swim, while those who like to
work out will find that the health centre in-
cludes an aerobics floor (circuit and
weighttraining), squash court, heated swim-
ming pool, saunas, Jacuzzi, climbing wall and
climbing cave!
Telephone reservations at 036-438 6220; fax
036-438 6222; view website www.lsh.co.za
or email res@lsh.co.za.
Russell Barnes
It is astonishing
to realise that Alpine
Heath is already 10
years old this year,
and to commemo-
rate is giving the
award-winning re-
sort a R6 million
facelift !
“The bulk of the
development will
centre around the
entertainment area
of the Village
Square,” general
manager Françoise
Above: Scenic Alpine Heath Resort is enjoying a R6 million facelift this year.
Muller explains.
“The brand new bar, ‘The Tavern’, is al- air, crystal-clear streams and an abundance
ready complete, while also being constructed of birdlife. At the thatched Umziki Water-
is an auditorium to cater for entertainment, ing Hole, on the banks of one of the resort’s
big screen rugby and “Chef on the Stage” trout dams, guests enjoy a picturesque set-
cooking demonstrations, and a deli where ting to enjoy their meals.
guests can pack own picnic baskets or those For the energetic, it has a fully-equipped
staying self-catering can purchase that little gymnasium, squash and all-weather tennis
something left behind.” courts, volleyball and mountainbiking.
The new development will do much for 100 luxurious chalets offer complete pri-
the “La Gruyeres” restaurant, which will vacy yet still boast telephones, cellular re-
move from its present on-square position to ception and satellite TV.
a stunning location overlooking both moun- The three-bedroom chalet, featuring mas-
tains and a dam. And then there is the all- ter bedroom ensuite and two with twin beds,
new children’s entertainment centre with play can easily accommodate six people.
stations, table tennis and other games — all The resort receives regular comments of
entirely free ! — that will be completed by praise in its visitors’ book. Just one recent
the end of the year. one reads: “Excellent service, friendly staff,
The perfect place to unwind, Alpine Heath good food and great fun!”
offers guests tranquil surrounds, with a tap- And you can experience all of the same !
estry of towering mountain peaks, crisp fresh Telephone 036-438 6484.