We were a group enthusiastic to flee the stresses of city life and share some quality family time at an unhurried pace.
And we found it last weekend at Ezulwini Berg Resort which, nestled in the beautiful Northern Drakensberg, not far from Bergville, provides a laid-back country experience with the option of venturing into the great outdoors or simply chilling in the peaceful surrounds.
It’s a getaway offering 24 neat, modern, self-catering units in a family-friendly environment and, being an easy two-and-a-half hour drive from Durban, is also popular for conferences and team-building events,
There may have been some in our group who were initially disappointed we weren’t in “the Berg proper”, the mountains being a few kilometres in the distance rather than on our doorstep, but much fun was had by all.
A big plus was that we enjoyed glorious weather, allowing for dips in the resort’s rock pool, which makes use of natural spring water. An indoor heated pool is also available.
Braved
Some in our group put in rounds on the nine-hole putt-putt course, moulded in rock, and the overly energetic braved the heat to kick a ball around on the resort’s foodlit soccer field, alongside a volleyball net and tennis court.
Also available are two large trampolines next to a children’s jungle-gym with swings, and in the recreation hall alongside the rock pool one can play snooker and arcade games.
For smaller kids, a must is a stop-off at a fenced enclosure near the resort entrance, where a small, informal animal farm has been set up, showcasing cute white rabbits, turkeys, ducks and geese.
And what a pleasure to wake each morning to find two fairly tame peacocks strutting their stuff on our chalet patio. The two-year-old in our group couldn’t wait to share his toast with the attractive, gobble-and-go visitors.
For R10 one can treat the kids to a pony ride, while for R60 one can take a slow horse ride in and around the resort. Just don’t expect to be able to take off alone for a trot or a gallop.
If you’re seeking more adventure, the resort can arrange for you to hire a mountain bike, or you might consider lacing up those hiking boots to hit the trails. When you return, consider a dip in the heated pool and a relaxing evening detox at the sauna.
The Royal Natal National Park, a World Heritage site, is just 15 minutes away, and also close by is the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme, one of the largest of its kind in the world, which offers free tours.
Apart from the dam wall, lift shaft buildings and transmission lines, all installations at this power station are underground. Four reversible pump turbines, 156m below ground level, generate 1000mw, during peak periods, on to the Eskom national grid.
Two-hour tours, free by appointment only, are held every Monday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm (only at 10am on Fridays).
Our find of the weekend was a great supplier of biltong – at a quaint farm store called Burger-ville, a 10-minute drive away.
Other attractions and activities in the area include fishing, a variety of adventure sports for the adrenalin junkie, and golf.
“Night time fun isn’t restricted to gathering around the braai. Challenge your friends to a game of soccer or tennis on our floodlit field and courts. On chilly winter evenings, wrap up in front of a crackling log fire and enjoy a hot coffee or sherry,” says an Ezulwini spokesman.
If You Go...
Eight of the resort’s self-catering chalets can accommodate eight people, while the remaining 16 sleep up to six. Comfy and spacious, the chalets have open-plan kitchens with microwaves, ovens, hobs and deep freezes.
Each chalet has two bathrooms, one en suite with a shower, the other with a bath. There are two bedrooms – one double and one twin. An additional two beds are tucked into a nook off the lounge (which has a strong fan) and, in the eight-sleeper chalets, the lounge sofa folds out into a double bed.
The comfortable lounge has plenty of place to relax, a television set with (a few) DStv channels and a welcoming fireplace. The spacious open-plan living area leads out to a private outside patio with a mini braai which is cleaned daily.
All linen, crockery and cutlery is provided, and the units are also serviced daily.
To get to Ezulwini Berg Resort from Durban take the N3 towards Gauteng. When you pass the Shell Ultra City at Estcourt take the next offramp to the R74/Winterton. Proceed to Winterton, then Bergville.
About 20km from Bergville, turn right at the Ezulwini turnoff.
Peak-season rates per chalet, per night, are R1 200 for a four-sleeper, R1 550 for a six-sleeper and R1 700 for an eight-sleeper.
Off-peak rates are R950 for the four-sleeper, R1 100 for the six-sleeper and R1 250 for the eight-sleeper.
The resort has a three-night, off-peak special at present: R1 750 for the four-sleeper chalet, R2 250 for the six-sleeper and R2 500 for the eight-sleeper.
For further information contact the resort at 036 438 6322 or e -mail [email protected] - Independent on Saturday