Durban - If you judge a place by the warmth of its staff, then Bushman’s Nek Berg and Trout Resort in the southern Drakensberg gets five stars.
Rowan and I were welcomed by resort manager Brad Wylie and handed refreshing drinks and popcorn.
Then we dropped our bags in our rooms and headed to the hotel veranda to take in the remains of a glorious spring afternoon. The view over the pool, putt-putt course, past the river, pastures and picnic site and on to Devil’s Knuckles, Bushman’s Nek and other peaks, was CinemaScope at its best. Happy sighs and celebratory clinking of glasses in anticipation of a wonderful weekend followed.
Bushman’s Nek is not a five-star resort, nor does it pretend to be. It is more timeshare than hotel, with self-catering units, hotel rooms that form part of the main building and log cabins a little way off. That does not mean it is by any means shabby. The rooms are spacious and comfortable (the beds very much so), with fridges and lcd TV sets. The self-catering units have everything one requires and the cleverly placed log cabins have fabulous views.
The on-site facilities are impressive – a shop with self-catering essentials, a large and comfortable lounge and restaurant with fireplaces, a sports bar and games room with pool tables, foozeball and more.
There’s a squash court, an immaculate tennis court and even a Cellu-Beauty Spa, where Lindiwe Sibiya gave us exceptional massages.
Fishing rods and mountain bikes can be hired and, of course, there are hiking trails aplenty. Picnic baskets are available if you head out to explore the likes of Sani Pass (it’s a good idea to take your passport in case you stray over to Lesotho).
Bushman’s Nek is perfect for adults wanting to chill, but what about the kids? Well, this is really their place. With entertainment manager Strike Ndlovu and his assistants directing traffic, children are thoroughly entertained.
There are Junior Masterchef classes, games galore (for the entire family), while on the New England Stud Farm below the hotel’s steep slopes, little ones jostled not-so-little ones to feed and pet the spring lambs and calves and gregarious bull Storm.
Young ‘uns enjoyed rides on Shetland ponies and bigger steeds. Others enjoyed longer rides. We watched them disappear over the ridge from the river, where we managed to hook several bushes during our fly-fishing endeavour.
Having lost a fly and bagged nothing, we were kindly picked up by Brad and consoled ourselves with tea and scones topped with jam and cream at the farm’s coffee shop, having missed morning tea and scones at the hotel.
Back at the hotel we indulged in a hearty carvery, followed by a nap and afternoon ramble. The restaurant has various specials and a very extensive menu, with plenty of vegetarian options.
The meats are clearly not from a supermarket, the home-made breads (wheat free as well) are scrummy. I highly recommend the prawn and chicken curry.
An early morning start the next day had Rowan Welsh, the resort’s fishing fundi, coaching us on the art of fly-fishing before rising wind put paid to that.
The cold weather did not stop kids careering around in cozzies, warming themselves periodically in the heated pool, though. Nor did the rain dampen spirits and it was with regret that we tore ourselves away from the snowcapped views the next morning. Such a restorative stay.
Bushman’s Nek is about 250km from Durban, via Bulwer and Underberg and is proudly managed by First Resorts.
Call 033 701 1460 or visit www.bushmansnek.co.za - Sunday Tribune