Hlalanathi Drakensberg Resort: Review and things to do in the area
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- Travel time - approx. 4 hours from Gauteng
- Road conditions - tar
- Electricity - yes, blue caravan plug adaptor required
- Ablutions - very clean and functional. Private ablutions available, enquire when booking
- Shop on site - yes, basic supplies
- Fuel - closest filling station, Little Switzerland (petrol & diesel)
- Closest supermarket - Winterton
Getting there
Hlalanathi is approximately a 4-hour drive from Gauteng. It's a relatively easy trip with most of the route following the N3 highway.
Once you take the turnoff to Harrismith/Bergville the mountains make their appearance, and we really enjoyed the stretch of road passing the Sterkfontein Dam. This body of water is enormous and its blue waters and abundant wildlife were sights to be savoured.
After Little Switzerland, the road conditions worsened, and there were plenty of potholes peppered along the route. There was a section of road that had fallen away which necessitated a short stretch of very rocky offroading.
Resort info
The booking and check-in process was straightforward, and the ladies at reception were friendly and helpful. We booked and paid online via the website. They also provided us with a comprehensive list of the many activities available in the area.
The campsites were terraced and offered breathtaking views over the amphitheater We enjoyed the small private "patio" area with its built-in braai and concrete table, it was well situated to afford protection from windy conditions, and some privacy from one's neighbours. The sites, particularly those with scenic views over the amphitheater are exposed to the elements. The weather can be unpredictable in the mountains - over the four-day period we were there, we experienced extreme heat, wind, rain, and cold, so were glad to be well-equipped for most weather conditions.
Each stand has its own dustbin and potable water was available from conveniently situated taps. The braai was cleaned daily, as was the dustbin. The site was swept clean in anticipation of our arrival. Electricity is available for all sites (loadshedding permitting of course) - you need a blue caravan plug adaptor and a medium to long extension cable. Some of the stands include a paved area which is ideal for caravanners, other sites are grassed. It's best to check with reception when making your booking to ensure you reserve a stand that meets your requirements.
There's a small shop offering basic supplies only. Ice, wood, and firelighters were available from security after hours. The nearest large supermarket is in Winterton which is about an hour's drive from Hlalanathi. The restaurant & bar is open from 08:00 to 20:00. The food was fantastic and we enjoyed the relaxed vibe.
From the sparkling clean swimming pool to the spotless ablutions, the facilities were more than sufficient for our needs, and we were impressed at the efficiency and friendliness of the staff. The resort is conducive to campers seeking modern conveniences and caters well to children and young adults. You can find a full list of all the amenities on their website, see "Useful links" below. The resident pets (two cats and two doggies) are very friendly and diligent in performing site inspections, making sure visitors adhere to the resort rules.
The fun stuff
The Adventure Centre is a short drive away for the thrill seekers. Overall, the area is a paradise for outdoor-loving individuals.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Cannibals Cave parkrun, which is approximately 7 km from the resort along the road to Rugged Glen Nature Reserve. The start is 100m from the entrance to the Royal Natal National Park. The route is tarred (pack your road shoes) with spectacular scenery, and ranks high up the list as one of my favourite parkrun tourist routes to have completed.
With limited time available (we were there for a long weekend breakaway), we had to be selective about which activities we wanted to try out. Gerhard is a bit (actually a lot) of a history fanatic and so we decided to take a day trip to the Spioenkop Battlefields, which is accessed via the road to Winterton. The gravel road is a good 10km trek to the historic site and probably best traversed with a high clearance vehicle. There was a small fee to be paid at the security gate and we were provided with a brochure and map of the area. We found this to be a poignant and thought-provoking visit which we both thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to being a meaningful historical site, the views from the top of Spioenkop are jaw-droppingly gorgeous - don't forget your camera!
There are plenty of activities in and around Winterton, but after our tour of the Battlefields, something cold and refreshing was in order. We stopped at The Waffle Hut (for delicious waffles, of course), and picked up a few handmade curios from the KwaZulu Natal Crafter's market, located just behind the restaurant.
In our view, the best coffee and breakfast award went to The Drakens Burger. Piping hot, strong coffee and a tasty solid breakfast had us convinced enough to make sure to stop there again on our way back home.
The Tower of Pizza is a short distance from Hlalanathi and has an extensive menu. The "tower" is a cute little building next to the restaurant. Huge age-old trees provide an inviting, shady seating area and there were many quirky fittings and finishings to admire while we waited for our order.
Aside from it's authentic wood-fired pizzas, we highly recommend the caramel, ginger nut sundae. The ginger ice cream is made in-house and was out of this world yummy!
Points to note
Make sure you have sufficient fuel if you are planning on exploring. Filling stations are not frequently found and if you are checking out the area, you will drive quite far.
Be on the lookout for cows, donkeys, goats, dogs, people, tractors, and other slow-moving objects on occasionally badly potholed and poorly maintained roads. We saw the traveling conditions as an adventure and enjoyed the countryside and phenomenal views, speed is relative on countryside roads, so we found it best to be safe (and slow).
Cellphone signal is best described as erratic. We were glad to have a reliable GPS. Alternatively, you could consider downloading maps beforehand to be sure you don't get caught not knowing where you are going in an area with little to no connectivity. Poor signal adversely impacts credit card machines, so it's good to have some cash on hand.
(Tip: Switch your cellphone to airplane mode to save battery in areas with poor signal)
Useful links
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