The Cavern Drakensberg Resort and Spa

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Sungubala Eco Camp are midway between Gauteng and Durban, nestled in the foothills of the newly proclaimed Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve, KZN. A place of captivating beauty, they are surrounded by majestic mountains, lush indigenous forests and clear mountain stream.

These sister resorts are run by the Carte family who have welcomed guests for over 80 years. The Cartes continue to conserve the historical heritage of the landscapes and protect the healing gifts these mountains offer. Through years of eradicating invader species, maintaining the natural surrounds and investing in solar energy, the properties have remained pristine. The grasslands are rich with ’berg flowers, the forests are home to 70 tree species and the bird list has 204 species, 24 of which are endemic. Eland patrol the hills and feature in many ancient Bushman cave paintings. Baboons and mountain reedbuck can be seen on the slopes. The Cavern is where families bond, friendships are formed and memories are made. It’s a tucked-away romantic escape for couples a retreat for quiet and solitude, and a child-friendly resort with fun activities. The Cavern offers standard and superior rooms. The standard units are set in landscaped gardens where vibrant, indigenous plants attract countless birds that fill your days with birdsong and evenings with the wild sounds of crickets, frogs and other friendly creatures. The superior rooms and suites overlook a beautiful fern forest. Each has its own private patio where you can relax in the sun, listen to forest streams and rejuvenate in the peace of exquisite mountain wilderness. Each superior suite has its own fireplace, perfect for that special getaway.

Set on a secluded mountain farm, in the Nature Reserve, overlooking the Sungubala Valley is the Sungubala Eco Camp. This is a self-catering camp, ideal for a nature lover’s active getaway. The camp is equally suited for just relaxing. The Sungubala reserve is also home of the Silent Woman, a rock carving crafted in the 1950s by artist and wanderer, William Chalmers.

The Cavern & Sungubala are blessed with some of the most magnificent walking and hiking trails in the region. There are easy ones for young families as well as informative nature walks through dense fern forests, including one to a cave, which echoes and another to a cave where cannibals once lived. Popular hikes include the Tugela Gorge, Echo Cave and Bishop’s Inkaba.