This Drakensberg tally is one of retreat, beauty, relaxation and goodeating. The steer towards the Drakensberg Mountains swept higher than the undulatingfoothills by the side of side-roads that snake along meandering...
This Drakensberg version is one of retreat, beauty, relaxation and good
eating. The drive towards the Drakensberg Mountains swept higher than the undulating
foothills alongside side-roads that snake along meandering countryside to our first
destination Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Cleopatra is tucked away in the
beautiful Kamberg valley in the Drakensberg Mountains, it is a gourmet getaway
where attention to detail is evident everywhere. The dining room and lounge are
extended more than a trout-filled dam that looks out across the water to the stunning
mountains of the Southern Berg. It is a magical place - a secluded luxury
hideaway where the most important factor is not to come here if you are upon a
diet!
The build stirring to dinner was an thing in itself once every the guests meeting at
7pm for drinks and unquestionable an entertaining, detailed account of the gourmet meal
that was to follow by Richard the chef and owner. whatever is hand prepared on
the premises, some of the sauces (the put the accent on of most plates) consent going on to three
days in creation. It's three impressive starters each, in our clash a plate of
meltingly succulent scallops, then a rich, baked butternut soup taking into consideration a dollop of
creamy pesto and a dish of Mozambican king prawns. A little drying sorbet
provided Richard the era for unconditional preparations of the main course, an
elaborate plate of unconventional lamb cuts on rosti bearing in mind three interchange chutneys, and
rounded off afterward a wealthy chocolate concoction, perfectly offset by homemade
orange-infused vanilla ice cream.
Breakfast the next-door hours of daylight followed in a thesame style and although difficult
to depart we knew that we had to saunter some of this food off or we would never
make the next meal. That food was possibly the best I have ever eaten but
seriously doubt having survived 2 days of this non end eating.
Kamberg hosts a site of Bushman rock art gone relative easy access, a
stunning saunter including a waterfall, and particularly well preserved examples of
Bushman paintings. It is here that the "Rosetta Stone" of San art
first provided archaeologists with the key to interpreting the symbolism of the
paintings as spiritual in content - showing how hunters gained capability from the
animals that they killed. Its all professionally explained by guides and
although I had seen these paintings past I was once again moved.
The road to our neighboring end the Antbear turned out to be just a tiny jump away
mainly because Richard had guided us via the help roads. The Antbear Guest House
is one of those seldom found gems hidden away in a network of rural roads in the
Drakensberg foothills. The tiny white washed farmhouse has been converted into
a area of artistic elegance. It is full of hand sculptured wooden furniture, a
labor of Conny and Andrews love. Andrew greeted us dressed in extremely flamboyantly
African dress and welcomed us subsequently a mug of tea. He is a humorous quality with
a passion for entertaining, conversation and substitute living.
Andrew is a dab hand in the kitchen too. The food is agreed substitute to that
of Cleopatra completely not as wealthy but no less of an experience. Supper was the
best Indian food I have ever eaten behind a selection of curries, papdams, onion
badjis, sambals and naan bread to boot. Andrew quite likes the company in the
kitchen and its in point of fact alternative watching this nice of cooking. Its similar to a
circus as he casually juggles the egg turner or adds a handfull of spice to some
frying onions. The hosts eat behind the guests at a single table like candle
chandeliers and a fireplace. Its enormously nearby indeed. For desert Andrew
whipped in the works caramelized cape gooseberries in whiskey with smack of time. Why the
Antbear is therefore affordable is a bit of a vagueness me and till today the Antbear is
my favourite guesthouse anywhere.
Armed later than Connys picnic lunch setoff to Giants Castle birds Reserve.
Giants Castle is a spectacular share of the Drakensberg and one of my favorite
regions. Its has less tourism than most other parts and I have always wondered
why as it is just about as beautiful as it comes. We wanted an easy saunter appropriately opted for
Worlds View a 14 km trail taking into consideration a spectacular 360 view at its end. We had lunch
and soaked in the views and got assist to Giants Castle Camp in get older for a
well-earned cappuccino and fragment of cheesecake.
Dinner back up at the Antbear turned out to be a Moroccan evening. once again the
food was excellent. Andrews advice and keenness inspires confidence and we
reorganised some of our plans The bearing in mind daylight was supposed to be a visit to
the battlefields but I had forgotten more or less the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Andrew
arranged tickets for us and this is really something not to be missed under any
circumstances. The day was spent in the Champagne Valley substitute pretty part
of the Drakensberg.
For dinner Andrew had taken the Zulu line. An fascinating stew similar to a type of
dumpling bread baked in the thesame pot. Butternut and maize meal and some wild
spinach further a adjoin of colour. What I have never seen back was the wild
asparagus sauted in lemon and butter gone a relish of sesame oil. I begin to
drool even thinking virtually that now.
The next-door day was a guided horse trail through the Drakensberg foothills.
I am not a horse aficionado normally but in the manner of such relaxed horses I would not
have missed it for anything. It was just previously lunch we headed of to Montusi
Montusi a bit following a hotel in imitation of a personal country cottage feeling practically it.
The lodge is perfectly positioned to catch the surrounding view, fields of
galloping horses and lakes to fish in. The food here too is excellent perhaps
not as unexpectly alternative as the Antbear but our lamb as soon as chargrilled lemon
and mint was perfect.
Our last morning in these mountains was spent walking the Tugela Gorge walk below
the Amphitheatre in the Royal Natal National Park. It took us to the base of the
Tugela Falls, where the Tugela River plunges 948m (3,109 ft.) from the plateau,
its combination fall making it the second highest falls in the world, and afforded
us marvelous views of the Amphitheatre.
Our vacation help to Durban guided us through the Midlands Meander a place I find
to be on top of rated unless you make the effort to pick out the jewels that it does
offer. We stopped at Marakesh Israeli Goats Cheese for a glass of wine and some
cheese tasting. A perfect open snack after that pretty steer to acquire here. Our
next end took us passed the Karkloof Falls to the Karkloof Canopy tour.a unique
eco-experience that takes people on a 3-hr adventure through the magnificent
Karkloof indigenous forest. The canopy tour involves traversing from one
platform to other along a steel cable suspended occurring to 30m above the forest
floor.
It was five thirty as soon as we arrived back up at my flat in Durban. We were all
tired but satisfied next our week in the Drakensberg Mountains. I know that this
region offers much more and far away greater extremes but for us it was a perfect
balance of natural beauty, good energetic and just a little excitement.
More counsel more or less the Drakensberg
- www.drakensberg-tourism.com
- www.drakensberg.net
- www.drakensberg-accommodation.com
- www.south-africa-tours.com/drakensberg.html
- www.south-africa-tourism.com
Links to Drakensberg Accommodation
- Cleopatra
Mountain Farmhouse R1250 per person includes 3 meals - Antbear Guesthouse R350 per person
includes dinner and breakfast - Montusi
R750 per person includes dinner and breakfast.
Links to Drakensberg Activities
- Kamberg Nature
detachment (R15 park contact per person + R25 stone art presentation + R15
tour lead to game pass shelter) - Giants
Castle natural world detachment (R20 park entry) - Drakensberg
Boys Choir concert (R75) - Royal
Natal National Park (R25 park contact per person) - Karkloof Falls
(no charge) - Karkloof Canopy
Tour (R395 per person)
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