The Drakensberg Mountains are simply magnificent. The clean air, fantastic views, souring peaks, green summers and white winters make this a great getaway destination.
Each area of the Drakensberg , from the Eastern Cape, through KZN and into Mpumalanga, has something different to offer.
Antbear Lodge, near Giants Castle in KZN, offers something particularly different – luxury accommodation inside a cave! The cave is cozy and comfortable and has a Jacuzzi spa bath, lounge with fire place and even has rock art on the walls. The wonderfully designed glass doors open onto a veranda with its hammock chairs.
Owners, Andrew and Conny, say, “Antbear Lodge is one of those smaller, owner run establishments. Sustainability and responsible tourism are a huge part of the ethos of our lodge. We try to do just about everything ourselves. It starts with our alternative structures and ends with the cheese on your breakfast table.”
Apart from the luxury cave accommodation, Antbear Lodge also offers Mountain View suites as well as more affordable private garden suites. The Mountain View Suites include a lounge, a large bedroom with king or queen size beds, en-suite bathrooms with jacuzzi spa baths and a veranda with spectacular views.
Antbear Lodge also offers a private dining experience where they prepare a table on the deck of your cave or suite and you dine by candlelight under the stars.
Andrew adds, “We cook everything from scratch and have our own organic vegetable garden. The chef puts a South African spin on all the food he create and caters for all dietary requirements with absolute pleasure. We have our own chickens for eggs and cows for milk and we bake our own bread and even make our own cheese.”
Andrew has made every single piece of furniture, window frame and door himself. His carpentry results in works of art that are seriously big and bold. The woodwork alone makes this lodge a destination in its own right.
The Drakensberg can get chilly (and snow covered) in winter so fire places abound at Antbear Lodge and are a feature of almost every room.
When you’re not relaxing on the veranda or next to a fire there are plenty of fun activities. Hiking, off course, and horse trails are also offered that are ideally suited to beginners. Antbear Lodge uses the softer horse whispering techniques to train their horses and go for gentle outrides on the farm.
To best enjoy the scenery of this beautiful location, take to the air. Andrew has a pilot’s license and a microlight on the farm and, in fine weather, I loves to take guests for a flight. Antbear Lodge also arranges hot air balloon flights that take off in front of the lodge.
For more information visit www.antbear.co.za or call 076 441 2362 or email reservations@antbear.co.za
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