The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, in the northern part of the mountain range known affectionately by locals as "The Berg", offers some of the most dramatic scenery in South Africa. Far removed from the visions that spring to mind when you think of Africa, this is a region of snow-capped mountains (in winter) and lush green hills (in summer). It's the perfect setting for Montusi Mountain Lodge, an upmarket destination with uninterrupted views of the cliffs and peaks, and the iconic Amphitheatre. Montusi's 1000-hectare estate has been rehabilitated over the past 15 years to become a haven for indigenous birds and antelope.
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The large thatch-roofed lounge has comfortable sofas and plenty of board games for a spot of entertainment. The decor is more relaxed than super chic, but the room is cosy, with a crackling fireplace. The dining room (with underfloor heating and fireplace) and adjacent covered patio have a dozen tables each – perfect spots to enjoy delicious cuisine and supreme views. Relax on the veranda, or head to the pool or tennis courts, or to the dams for some fly-fishing.
Sixteen individually designed chalets are well spaced throughout the gardens, each with jaw-dropping views. The suites – Garden (10), Mountain (2) and Family (4) – vary in size (in increasing order) and amenities but come standard with TVs and gas fireplaces for chilly winter nights. Some have private patios. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom with a bath and shower. There are also a couple of privately owned self-catering cottages on the estate, with up to four bedrooms.
If you fancy some epic hiking, mountain biking or horse riding, then you've come to the right place. Start by exploring the 1000-hectare estate, then venture into the Royal Natal National Park (part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg) to get up-close with the Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls. Along the way you may pass reedbuck, rhebok and eland. Looking for birds? There are plenty. The nine-hole Amphitheatre Golf Course is nearby, and a tennis court and two trout-stocked dams are on the property.
Waking up to the Amphitheatre. Every suite faces the Drakensberg's most iconic escarpment, and on a clear morning the scale of it is almost absurd
Ask for one of the Mountain Suites if you can. They're more spacious and modern than the Garden Suites, with a separate lounge and a private patio that makes the most of that Amphitheatre view.
This is more a proper mountain lodge than it is a hotel — there are no telephones in the rooms and children aren't permitted in the restaurant after 8pm.
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Hiking or walking, driving or climbing, enjoy the country’s most dramatic, soaring scenery.
