Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Drakensberg » Northern Drakensberg » Oliviershoek Pass » BergvilleDrakensberg Mountain Retreat-Vergezient LodgeThe Drakenberg Mountain Retreat is a stunning destination in the northern Drakensberg. Its spectacular views, wildness, freshnesDescriptionDrakensberg Mountain Retreat has two accommodation options - the Vergezient Lodge (DB&B) and the Zondertwyfel Barnhouse (Self catering for groups of 12 to 20) The Vergezint Lodge The Vergezient Lodge, with its numerous lounges and fireplaces, is comfortably furnished and has an elegant, old-fashioned feel, while maintaining that rustic farm house charm. The guesthouse has tastefully decorated en-suite bedrooms. A number of bedrooms have their own lounges and some have cosy fireplaces . The lounge, dining-room and enclosed veranda offer generous and comfortable spaces with stunning views of the Amphitheatre and Royal Natal National Park. It is said to be one of the best views in the Northern Drakensberg. | The tasty and wholesome food, cooked with passion and loved by the guests is sure to add to the experience. At Vergezient Guesthouse, dinner, breakfast, as well as morning and afternoon tea, are included in the price. And for those of you on day trips we make a lovely packed lunch.
The professionally laid out walks and day hikes (see activities page) on the farm are superb too, along with the simply spectacular views |
The Drakensberg Mountain Retreat is a stunning destination in the northern Drakensberg. Its spectacular views, wildness, freshness and beauty will captivate you while its deep silence, which can be startling at first, will soon calm you. It has a spectacular setting, high on a ridge overlooking the northern Drakensberg, the Maluti mountains and most of the central Drakensberg. Many have said that the views we have of the Drakensberg are unsurpassed. VERGEZIENT LODGE ROOM DESCRIPTION & RATES RATE inclusive of Dinner Bed and Breakfast 1 | Upstairs, very large with a queen bed and one single bed and with its own comfortable lounge area. It is light, airy and has a wonderful view of the mountains, with windows on 2 sides. The en-suite bathroom has a shower, toilet and basin. R735 pp per night sharing. | | 2 | Upstairs, small but with a beautiful view. It has an open-plan shower, a separate toilet and basin. A room with character. R520 per person per night sharing | | 3 | A lovely, large upstairs room with a comfortable lounge area. It has beautiful views, an open plan shower and basin and separate toilet. This room is very large and has a queen and 2 single beds in it. R655 per person per night sharing. | | 4 | Upstairs, queen bed, fairly small, lovely view, open-plan shower and basin with a separate toilet. R500 per person per night sharing | | 5 | Downstairs, a very large, very comfortable room with a lounge area, balcony, an en-suite bathroom with a bath, double shower, toilet and basin. It has wonderful views, especially of sunrise and sunset. This room has a fireplace. R785 per person per night sharing. | | 6 | Downstairs, a very large, very nice comfortable room with a lounge area, balcony and a sunny conservatory. The en-suite bathroom has a bath double shower, toilet and basin. It has a wonderful view, especially of sunrise and sunset. This room has a fireplace.R840 pp per night sharing | | 7 | Downstairs, a medium sized room with a large, sunny conservatory and an en-suite shower, toilet and basin. This room has a queen and a single bed in it.R520 per person per night sharing | | 8 | Downstairs, a large comfortable room with a queen bed and one single bed and a small sunny conservatory. The en-suite bathroom has a shower, toilet and basin. R575 per person per night sharing | | 9 | Downstairs, outside entrance to small sunny conservatory, with 2 single beds and bathroom en suite with shower, toilet, hand basin. R510 per person per night sharing | | 10 | Downstairs, a large comfortable room with it's own lounge area. It has a queen bed and 1 singles. The room opens onto a verandah with a beautiful view of the mountains. It has direct access to the indoor pool area. This room is more private being on the other side of the pool and has to be accessed via the TV room and through to the indoor pool area. It does have a covered parking next to it. R735 per person per night sharing |
ZONDERNTWYFEL BARNHOUSE was, as the name suggests, a barn which has been seriously altered and extended. Like the Lodge it is a rambling sort of a place with a wing of bedrooms connected to the original barn by flower filled indoor gardens which also houses a pool, soon to be heated. A large harmonious function room is attached to the old barn building which is an ideal room for Corporate Meetings and small events such as Workshops, Weddings and Retreat activities. The old barn contains a spacious dining room, the lounges and the veranda, all of which have spectacular views of the Drakensberg. A wood burning stove in the dining room and an open fireplace in the lounge ensure a comfortable stay in the coldest weather. For more information see Drakensberg Mountain Retreat Zondertwyfel Barnhouse on this site.   
AttractionsThere is lots to do in the area of the Northern Drakensberg with the following being but just a few examples of what's available for an excursion from Vergezient.
Royal Natal National Park / The Amphitheatre
The spectacular Northern Drakensberg can be easily accessed from Vergezient. The Royal Natal National Park hikes or walks are extremely popular and vary in distance and difficulty, from those suitable for children to others suitable for the more serious hikers.
Some of the hikes are: - Mont-Aux-Sources via the chain ladder. This 10 to 12km hike, takes about 6 hours and is strenuopus. The chain ladder is a challenge to those afraid of heights. Thukela Gorge. This is a 14km hike which takes 5 to 6 hours and is moderate to strenuous. Fairy Glen. This is a 5km walk, taking about an hour each way and is suitable even for young children.
Engineering Projects Vist the Drakensberg pumped storage project, South Africa’s largest Hydro-Electric project and enjoy a fascinating guided tour by arrangement with Eskom. Visit the world class Tugela-Vaal water project .
Historical day tours
Battlefields - Spioenkop San Rock Art can be seen in various caves and rock shelters in the area, eg. at Vergezient, Cavern Berg, Cathedral Peak and Injasuthi Valley. There are Voortrekker Monuments and information plaques close to Vergezient. A number of Boer War battlefields are easily visited from Vergezient, Guided visits to Spioenkop can be arranged. Game and Nature Reserves Spioenkop Nature Reserve has rhino, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of buck. Visit Monks Cowl Wilderness Reserve or the Vulture Restaurant at Sterkfontein Dam.
Golden Gate National Park, Clarens, Harrismith and Winterton
For those who are not so keen on hiking and want to enjoy a different kind of outing, a visit to some of the above is always pleasant.
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Fishing, Golf, Bicycle Touring, Fishing - Freshwater, Horse Riding, Windsurfing, Hiking / Backpacking, 4 X 4 Trails, Bungee Jumping, Quad Biking Nearby Attractions | Royal Natal National Park | 40.0 km | | Clarens Arts and craft village | 100.0 km | | All Out Adventure | 30.0 km | | Central Drakensberg | 120.0 km | | Local Historical sites | 10.0 km | | Spionkop Nature Reserve | 80.0 km | | Guided hiking trails | 40.0 km | | Drakensville water & pump scheme | 20.0 km | | Basotho cultural ville | 50.0 km | | Drakensberg boy's choir | 100.0 km |
  
Accolades | :Portfolio benchmarked: |  | :AA Guides quality assured |
FacilitiesFacilities and Services
Internet Access, Wheelchair Enabled, Parking Available, Laundry Service, Garden, Braai / Barbecue, Bar on the Premises, Swimming Pool, Fireplace on the Premises, Communal Satelite TV, WiFi, Internet, DVD, Heated Pool, No Credit Card Facility, Hospitality Bar
Facilities in Rooms/Units
No Smoking in Rooms, Heater in Rooms, WiFi Conference
Television Available, Conference Venue <25 People, DVD Player Available, Flip Chart Available Special offers
MARCH 2011 SPECIALS
PLEASE NOTE: -
SPECIALS do not include the Long Weekend 18 to 21 March 2011.
All specials require a 2 night stay but a dicount will be given on a 1 night stay.
MIDWEEK
R400pppn in all rooms
WEEKENDS
R420pppn - DB&B
Rooms 2, 3, 4, 7 8 and 9
R500pppn - DB&B
Rooms 1, 5, 6 and 10
Contact Details:
Reservations
Tel: 086 127 6237
Int. Tel: +27 51 924 0585 |
DirectionsLocated some 15 km off the R74 between Bergville and Harrismith, The Drakenberg Mountain Retreat is approximately equidistant from Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein (approximately 300km - about 3 hours) and is an ideal midway meeting place for family, friends and business colleagues from these centers.  
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