Considered to be one of Southern Africa's premier conference and holiday venues, Alpine Heath Resort allows you to relax in the comfort of an exclusive mountain village nestled in the midst of the Northern Drakensberg. The resort offers superb chalet accommodation, fine dining, an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities and the finest state-of-the-art conference facilities in Southern Africa. Alpine Heath invites you to surround yourself with the splendour of crystal-clear streams and mountain-fresh air, while experiencing the luxury and serenity of our resort complex.

Accommodation

At Alpine Heath, each of the 100 luxurious chalets is equipped with a telephone, cellular reception and satellite TV, and offers all the privacy you could ask for. The three-bedroom chalets comfortably sleep six in a master bedroom which is en-suite and two double rooms each fitted with twin beds. The second bathroom also has the convenience of both a bath and shower. The comfortable lounge is furnished with a lounge suite, satellite television and a fireplace and leads out onto your personal 'patio in the berg'. For those wishing to 'self-cater' the fitted kitchen complete with crockery and cutlery is open plan to the lounge / dining room area which also has a dining table with six chairs. The outdoor patio has outdoor furniture and braai / barbeque facilities can be arranged at our reception desk. With a backdrop of the stunning mountains of the Northern Drakensberg, this stylish Afro-Swiss designed resort blends perfectly into the landscape. The village square is situated at the centre of the resort with the 100 three-bedroom chalets conveniently situated around the main buildings that surround the square. Offering facilities, and standards of service and cuisine one would expect of a four-star establishment, Alpine Heath is unique in that it is a village complete with A village market for the few items you may have forgotten, and its own charming village square.

Cuisine

From the moment you get here, you'll discover Alpine Heath is all about flexibility. You can self-cater and shop for necessities at the village patisserie or you have the opportunity to treat yourself to the fine fare of La Gruyéres restaurant and the Village Brasserrie. With enormous breakfast buffets, elegant midday menus and exceptional evening fare, the choice is yours. La Gruyers Restaurant is open daily for Breakfast and Dinner, where a buffet and an A la Carte menu are available. Additionally for your dining pleasure, our In-room Dining Menu is available. Due to the fact that we cannot allow open braai's, we have for your convenience gas braai's for hire. The rate includes a R400.00 refundable deposit, and a daily charge of R45.00. Please advise us well in advance if you wish us to reserve a braai, as this is on a first come, first served basis. However, you are more than welcome to bring along your own gas braai.

Facilties

Alpine Heath offers a wonderful variety of sports and leisure activities. In our fully equipped gymnasium and squash courts even the fittest will work up a sweat. All-weather tennis courts, volleyball, putt-putt and mountain biking are available, and the superb amphitheatre nine-hole golf course is just minutes away. You can also cool off in our two crystal-clear swimming pools surrounded by breath-taking scenery, while the kids play on a super jungle gym. And at our well-stocked trout dams sparkling in the serenity of the Drakensberg, what could be more relaxing than the rhythmic swish of your line as you drop your fly on a nearby rise?

Activities

Nearby tourist attractions include the BASOTHU CULTURAL VILLAGE, the INKART ART GALLERY for unusual painted arts, CREATIVE METAL WORKS for customised wrought iron ware, as well as the famous BATTLEFIELDS OF SPIONKOP. Visit the nearby TREVREDEN CHEESE FARM for homemade cheeses, the world renowned MEADOWSWEET FARM where visitors are offered the opportunity of observing herb production from nursery stage to the dried product, or the ROYAL NATAL NATIONAL PARK which boasts the most magnificent scenery in the Drakensberg. Whatever your interests, Alpine Heath has it all.

COST

From R 450.00 per person sharing per night
Children are welcome

The Drakensberg mountain range is situated along the south east coast of South Africa. These spectacular Drakensberg Mountains are a challenge for adventure seekers and heaven for wildlife lovers. Extending from north east to south west for around 1,125 km, the Drakensberg is part of the Great Escarpment, and the main watershed of South Africa. The local Zulu name for Drakensberg is Quathlamba or ‘The Barrier of Spears’, an accurate description for mountains that rise to over 3000 metres. It is an important region for adventure activities such as mountaineering, camping, bird watching, river crossing, trout fishing, and many more.

The Drakensberg can be divided into three parts:

  • Southern Drakensberg
  • Central Drakensberg
  • Northern Drakensberg The Southern berg, comprising the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, Loteni, Highmoor, Kamberg, Vergelegen, Sani Pass, Mzimkhulu Wilderness Area, Mzimkhulwana Nature Reserve, Garden Castle, Rhino, Bushman’s Nek, Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail, Sehlabathebe National Park, Thomathu, Devil’s Knuckles, and Ramatseliso's Nek. It runs down to the Transkei region of Eastern Cape. Less developed but very spectacular, with pleasant little towns such as Underberg and Himeville.

The Central Berg or Berg, comprising Mlambonja Wilderness Area, Cathedral Peak, Ndumeni, Organ Pipes, Ndedema Gorge, Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, Cathkin Peak, Monk’s Cowl, Champagne Castle, Injasuti, and Giant’s Castle Game Reserve. The Northern Berg, comprising Royal Natal National Park, Amphitheatre, Rugged Glen Nature Reserve, Mont-aux-Sources, Singati Valley, Ifidi, Mnweni & Ntonjelana valleys, the Mnweni Cutback, Mponjwane, and the Saddle. The Drakensberg hosts a striking range of ecological features. These range from the alpine areas of the escarpment, to the grasslands and sandstone rock faces of the Little Berg and the indigenous forests found in the low river valleys.

Hiking is one of the main reasons to visit the Berg, with a variety of easy walks at low elevations and access via mountain passes to the top of some peaks. Hard core hikers are well catered for with strenuous, challenging hikes on offer, up to the maximum two-week trails. Most of the Drakensberg park is classified as a wilderness area which has allowed the flora and fauna to remain relatively untouched. Rhebuck, eland, and troops of baboon are commonly found in the park, as are a variety of birds including several species of eagles and vultures. Otters and the wild cats are usually very shy. Anteater and porcupine are only seen at night. As for human contact, the park is relatively under-utilized, so it's not unusual to hike for a whole day without seeing anyone else!

Hiking is year round in the Drakensberg. Winter (May – August) is the preferred season for South African hikers and climbers since the weather is stable. Days are sunny and warm, whilst nights are clear and cold. There are occasional snowfalls, but these usually melt quickly. In summer the weather is more unpredictable, with frequent rainfall. However, it is usually good walking weather. Days are warm to hot with nights cool to warm. A thunderstorm may appear "out of the blue", very quickly, particularly in the late afternoons in summer. Walkers are always advised to carry lightweight waterproof clothing. Relax, the storms are usually shortlived, and are a truly awe inspiring experience! The Natal Drakensberg has about 35% of all rock paintings in South Africa, some being the finest in the world. They come from the Koi-san (Bushmen) people who were probably the first inhabitants of the area, dating back 8,000 years.