As regular visitors to the Central Drakensberg, we know how important it is to find that perfect sanctuary, where breathtaking surroundings meet warm hospitality. In this post, we share our personal experiences and a handpicked selection of the best places to stay in the Central Drakensberg.
Whether you’re a solo adventurer seeking solitude, a couple pursuing a romantic escape, or a family needing treasured moments together, we’ve got you covered. Our list has something for everybody: cosy self-catering cottages, bed and breakfasts and comfortable farm guest houses.
Our List Of The Best Places To Stay In The Central Drakensberg
We don’t make a habit of staying at generic hotels; instead, we actively seek out smaller establishments with personality and character. So, all these places listed below are here for their comfort, excellent facilities, friendly hosts, and value for money, with elements that make them unique.
1. AmaCasa Self-Catering Cottages
Located in a quiet country lane leading from the main road (R600) through the Champagne Valley, each of the three cottages on the property has the most fantastic view of the mountains.
Two of the cottages, Hoopoe and Kingfisher Cottages, are open-plan areas with a king-size bed and small dining and kitchen areas. There is the luxury of an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower and an outdoor shower for those warmer days and nights. And that’s not all! Each of these cottages also boasts a fabulous jacuzzi and a braai patio facing the mountains as well.
Sunbird Cottage is larger and perfect for a family, as it can sleep up to six people in three bedrooms.
We stayed in the Kingfisher Cottage for our wedding anniversary in the autumn. It was wonderful just to relax in the garden and gaze at the mountains. Watching the sunset over the mountains while relaxing in the jacuzzi was a real treat too!
A fireplace and under-floor heating meant it was lovely and warm inside in the evenings. We could wander around the property during the day, making our way down to the dam on the other side.
There is no need to leave the property if you plan on cooking for yourselves, as the kitchen has everything you need. However, if you would rather eat out, there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops in the Champagne Valley.
Dave and Les Goldsworthy were gracious and helpful hosts who went out of their way to make our stay as memorable as it was.
Undercover parking is available near the cottage.
Recommended for:
Solo travellers, couples and families (Sunbird Cottage)
Special Offers:
For those that work remotely and can stay at Amacasa Self-Catering Cottages during the week, discounted rates are offered on mid-week and full-week stays, so be sure to ask about these if the shoe fits! Fast, free, unlimited wifi is available too.
Contact details:
Dave and Les: [email protected] or [email protected]
This property is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme, which means it’s taken significant steps to make your stay more sustainable.
2. The Bunker
This cosy holiday home, situated on the main road through the Valley, is the perfect base for travellers looking to explore the Central Drakensberg area.
The open-plan room is small, but comfortable, and consists of a welcoming living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable bedroom area, and a separate bathroom. The bathroom includes a shower, a basin, and a toilet.
A delightful patio area is equipped with braai facilities, and an outdoor dining set, enabling guests to relish their meals while enjoying the picturesque views. The private garden is beautiful and attracts a range of lovely birds, including Glossy Starlings, Natal Robins, the usual ‘Berg Wagtails and common brown sparrows.
We enjoyed a lovely, quiet weekend at The Bunker, and made good use of the braai facilities. It rained for one of the days we were there, but we were still able to sit outside, under cover and enjoy reading our books. We were also able to explore other areas in the Champagne Valley, including The Chocolate Bar nearby.
Jo Hedges manages the property, and she really makes you feel right at home.
Undercover parking is available near the cottage.
Small pets are welcome.
Recommended for:
Solo travellers and couples
Special Offers:
Booking.com regularly offers special prices for The Bunker, so look there first.
Contact details:
This property is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme.
3. Wits End Mountain Resort
A family-run, self-catering, family resort would be the best way to describe Wits End Mountain Resort.
The 5 spacious chalets all have the most amazing mountain views. There are 2 four-sleepers (each with 2 en-suite bedrooms) and 3 eight-sleepers (each with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms).
The chalets have large comfortable living rooms, well-equipped kitchens and braai facilities.
Situated on 80 acres of land on the R600 in the Champagne Valley, the resort has several private nature trails passing through an indigenous forest and boasts its own large lake. Residents can go canoeing, fishing and birding in these tranquil surroundings. Other facilities include a bar/lounge area, children’s play area, rock pools, secured parking, restaurant and wifi.
Wits End is the home of //KABBO Burger Factory – the best gourmet burgers and milkshakes in the Drakensberg! Apart from their own signature burgers, you can build your own, and wash it down with a gourmet milkshake or craft beer.
Recommended for:
Families. If you are looking for accommodation for the family in a quieter venue with only a few chalets, Wits End is for you.
Contact details:
Wits End is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme.
4. Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort
If you are looking for a busy, vibey family holiday, then look no further than Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort. Another venue we have stayed at countless times, it has been one of the best places to stay in the Central Drakensberg for many years.
Offering a wide variety of accommodation options, you can choose from self-catering log cabins, lakeside suites, cottages, and park homes. If you would prefer to camp or bring a caravan, well, there’s that too.
When the children were much younger, we would always camp. There are grass, slab, and shaded camping sites, all fitted with electrical points. Three large ablution blocks are situated conveniently around the resort. The children used to bring their bicycles, and we always felt they were safe riding around the resort on the tarred and gravel roads. The swimming pool was always a hit too, especially the 3 m slide.
As we grew older (some would say, more mature!) we then started staying in the log cabins and cottages. The kitchens always contain everything needed, and the living rooms and bedrooms are lovely and comfortable.
The playground is a great area for toddlers and younger children while for those rainy days, a games room is always a hit. Kayaks and canoes can be hired for the dam, and those keen on fishing can practice their skills in the four dams on the premises. Then there are the horse rides and hikes. So much to do and see. Many happy memories have been made at Dragon Peaks.
Dragon’s Restaurant and Pub is an option on nights when no one feels like cooking. And if you suddenly realize you have left some groceries at home, the Oaks Superette stocks almost everything, including the daily newspapers!
Small dogs are welcome too.
Recommended for:
Families and couples.
Special Offers:
There are often special offers in the winter months, so keep an eye on the website. Pensioners also receive discounts, depending on the season.
Children aged 3 – 15 receive discounts too.
Contact details:
5. Ardmore Guest Farm
Once a working farm, Ardmore Guest Farm has operated as a guest farm since the mid-1990s. We have always joked that the way to find Ardmore is to travel along the R600 towards the Champagne Valley and turn left at the Pine trees, or fields of cosmos flowers, whichever you see first.
Accommodation options range from a Honeymoon Suite to larger cottages and suites sleeping up to 6 people. Most of the cottages are mountain-facing, with a couple facing the beautiful gardens. Although Ardmore Guest Farm has traditionally been a bed and breakfast, they have recently added a self-catering option, so a small modern kitchenette can now be found in the cottages.
The cottages are spacious with en-suite bathrooms containing a jacuzzi bath and a shower. There is also a roomy lounge with a fireplace. The covered verandas are fabulous and are great places to sit and admire the impressive late-afternoon storms.
If you would prefer to eat at Ardmore, indulge in some tasty treats in the Tea Garden or delicious South African home-cooked meals at The Deck Restaurant. We found that if we ate supper and breakfast at The Deck, we didn’t need lunch at all!
For the more energetic visitors, there are walks and mountain bike trails on the Armore property too. There is even a Museum, featuring over 100 pieces from the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio, founded at the Guest Farm.
Recommended for:
Solo travellers, couples and families
Special Offers:
A 10% discount is offered in the off-season.
Children : 0 – 5 yrs FREE
Children 6 – 12 yrs: 50% Adult
Pensioners Discount 10 %
Contact details:
This property is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme.
6. Dalmore Guest Farm
Located between Winterton and Bergville, Dalmore Guest Farm is a wonderful place to stay if you enjoy the peace of the countryside, mixed with the sounds of a working farm.
Once a year, our extended family meets for a weekend to catch up and reconnect. Our last two family weekends have been spent at Dalmore Guest Farm. The great use of the open space means that, although there are usually about fifty of us there at one time, we never feel like we are falling over each other.
The accommodation consists of four separate cottages, four adjoined rooms, the barn (a one-bedroomed cottage), a garden shed (an open plan cottage), two rondavels and Gusta’s, a large 2-bedroomed cottage with a loft.
Delicious meals are served in a large dining room with coffee available throughout the day and evening. All the cottages have kettles, coffee, tea and sugar, while some have fully equipped kitchens too. We would recommend adding the farm breakfast to your package.
There is a children’s playground slightly away from the accommodation, near a fenced swimming pool and deck, fitted with an outdoor pizza oven. What fun it was to make our own pizzas around the pool!
Walking along the farm roads, it is possible to reach Spioenkop Dam. Once you reach the farm gate at the edge of Spioenkop Reserve, you are able to wander right down to the dam.
Recommended for:
Solo travellers, couples and families
Special Offers:
A direct booking offer of 10% off for booking on their website.
50% off for children.
Contact details:
Pippa: [email protected]
Dalmore Farm is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme.
7. Bell Park Bed n Breakfast and Self-Catering
Bell Park Bed n Breakfast and Self-Catering is situated on another working farm in the area and is a real home away from home.
Their accommodation consists of a flatlet adjoined to the main farmhouse, a fully equipped 2-bedroomed cottage, which is where we stayed, and the Homestead. “Spoilt for Choice” breakfast is available in the Sunroom. Rose and her family are amazing hosts and have many interesting tales to tell.
The main house overlooks Bell Park Dam, and many lovely walks are possible in the area.
Recommended for:
Solo travellers, couples and families
Special Offers:
Keep an eye on booking.com for specials.
Contact details:
Rose: [email protected]
This property is part of the Booking.com Travel Sustainable programme.
Places To Eat in the Central Drakensberg
These are our tried and tested restaurants:
- The Valley Bakery serves amazing breakfasts and lunches and is a great place to stop for coffee and something sweet.
- //Kabbo Burger Factory is a fabulous place if you are looking for lunch or supper.
- Dragon’s Restaurant and Pub at Dragon Peaks Park is open for breakfast, lunch and supper.
- For a special dinner, you may have to drive into Winterton, which is what we did. We enjoyed a super dinner at The Griller Steaks and Grapes on the Cathedral Peak Wine Estate. Their menu is small, but the food and ambience are great.
If you are looking for things to get up to during the day, check out our itinerary for a stay in the Drakensberg Mountains.
