Drakensberg Mountain Retreat-Zonderntwyfel Barnhouse

Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Drakensberg » Northern Drakensberg » Oliviershoek Pass » Bergville

Drakensberg Mountain Retreat-THE ZONDERNTWYFEL BARNHOUSE – Pleasant, comfortable accommodation offering self catering or DB&B f

Name of hostsDolly Warburton
Cell082 302 0406
Emailinfo@drakensbergretreat.co.za
Webwww.drakensbergretreat.c

The Zondertwyfel Barnhouse
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Description

The Zondertwyfel Barnhouse - an ideal self-catering venue for groups (12 to 20 people) and is also used as a Retreat Centre.

The Barnhouse has wonderful views and cosy fireplaces, which will ensure a very pleasant visit regardless of the weather.  It is an ideal venue for groups – family and friends getting together, workshops or leadership courses, retreats or small weddings or celebrations. 

The Barnhouse has 5 comfortable en-suite rooms (with 12 single beds), a large central flower filled conservatory, an indoor pool and a spectacular view of the Drakensberg. There are also 4 dormitory rooms with 13 single beds and  2 ablutions within the building. In total there are 3 showers, 4 toilets and 3 basins in these ablutions. 

There is a large fridge and a chest freezer. All crockery and cookware is provided. 

We offer self catering rates and do provide dinners on request @ R120pp for a 3 course meal. The rate for self catering is R270pppn. This includes linen but not bath towels. A maid is available and will wash dishes and clean the living areas but not service the rooms. 

We require a minimum of 12 people @ R270pp out of season and 15 people @ R270pppn  in season.  

We have wonderful hikes on the property and there is an indoor pool at the Barnhouse. For horse-riding, paintball, canopy tours, bungy-jumping it involves a trip of about 1 hour to an activity centre near Royal Natal National Park.

 A 50% deposit is required as well as a R200 deposit for breakages.

 

 Break away from the stressful office environment and relax in the calming environment of the Drakensberg Mountain Retreat. This is an ideal venue for Conferencing and with our staff ready to serve you, you will be able to attend to the more important matters of business.

Drakensberg Mountain Retreat with its spectacular views is an ideal setting for small weddings and Conference events. Currently we have the Vergezient Lodge and the Zonderntwyfel Barnhouse.  Both are spacious with firelplaces, flower filled conservatories and beautiful views.

 

Attractions

There 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.

  • There are a number of good fishing and boating dams in the area. These include Sterkfontein Dam, Woodstock Dam, Spioenkop Dam and Bellpark Dam.

    Art and Craft Meanders
    Art by local artist can be seen in the Winterton, Bergville,Clarens and Harrismith areas. The work varies from African art to pottery, painting, photography, scupturing and carpet weaving. Check details with local information outlets.

    Cultural Excursions

    • Visit the Basotho cultural Village – on the R712.

    • The Drakensberg Boy’s Choir hold concerts on Wednesdays at 3 .30pm during the school term

    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.

Directions

Located some 15 km off the R74 between Bergville and Harrismith, The Drakenberg Mountain Retreat is approximately half way between Johannesburg, Durban or Bloemfontein and Durban(approximately 300km - about 3 hours) and is an ideal midway meeting place for family, friends and business colleagues from these centers DIRECTIONS FROM JOHANNESBURG Take the N3 from Gauteng to Harrismith At Harrismith, turn right to Bethlehem. Approximately 4 km. out of Harrismith, on the N5 to Bethlehem, turn left onto the R74 to Bergville also R712 to Phuthaditjhaba. Approximately 9 km. on, turn left - R74 to bergville continuation. Approximately 20 km. on, turn left onto a dirt road marked Retief Pass and Retief Klip. there are small National Monument Signs. Drive approximately 2 km. and turn right onto the Retief Pass road Follow the road for about 12 km. Most of the way it runs parallel to an old canal. Approximately 1 km. beyond the canal, turn right at the sign to the Drakensberg Retreat. DIRECTIONS FROM DURBAN People coming from Durban have to take the Colenso/Bergville turn off, pass Little Switzerland, up Oliviers Hoek Pass, pass Caterpillar and Catfish and +/- 4 kilometers turn right to Retief pass/Retief Klip and follow the map, road in red.

Location

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