Durban - A weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city to the picturesque scenery of the Drakensberg Mountains is nothing short of splendour – a breath of fresh air.
From the inviting open roads en route to our accommodation for the weekend at Three Cities Alpine Heath Resort, to the simplest of things – the lush fields and crystal clear waters.
Alpine Heath Resort, in the heart of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, is an attraction on its own with wide-ranging family entertainment on offer. There is so much to do and see within the resort, with all being in close proximity to a number of wonders, such as the Tugela Falls and the Amphitheatre.
While the kids are entertained at the Alpine Leisure Zone, you can enjoy golf, tennis, paintball, hiking or just relaxing at the spa and taking in the scenery.
Winterton, a small town in central Drakensberg, offers a tranquil family setting with a rich history in the heart of the surrounding mountains. We were in town just in time for the inaugural weekend festival of arts and crafts on Springfield Road. Then came the horseback ridding at Shaka’s Horse Trails and the riveting experience at the Dragon Rock Reptile Centre where an assortment of snakes and mammals are kept.
If you are a nature enthusiast you’ll want to be out and about and the Royal Natal Guided Walk will definitely be for you – although my idea of a holiday is to find more relaxing pursuits.
The walk is strenuous, but the energetic guides are so informative that you’ll soon forget any huffing and puffing. Their knowledge of the area is well worth exploring.
The Northern Drakensberg World Heritage site also offers picturesque nature, san rock art and overnight hikes.
Next on the itinerary is a trip down memory lane with a drive through the dense hedges with grazing cows and a variety of antelope en route to the peak of the well documented Spionkop Battle, dubbed “the last of the gentleman’s battles”. Three world leaders are said to have been on one site – Winston Churchill, Louis Botha and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Lastly, for a bit of adventure where you can experience nature like never before are the 12 slides that take you through the enchanted Blue Grotto forest – home to more than 150 species of birds including the rare Bush Blackcap.
The Drakensberg Canopy Tour is a fun and safe eco-adventure for the whole family and also ideal for team-building and corporate events. - The Mercury