We have just had an amazing weekend celebrating our 30 year wedding anniversary (13 August) in the beautiful and majestic Northern Drakensberg.
Originally we had planned to go to Clarens until I saw a TikTok video by Outdoor Adventure Photography featuring Greenfire Lodge Drakensberg.
The lodge is approximately 3 and half hours from us in Kloof KZN and to reach it you have to drive through Alpine Heath Resort and then drive up and up and up. Greenfire Lodge Drakensberg is located on a 1000 hectare property at an elevation of 1800m above sea level. The Lodge overlooks the Royal Natal National Park and the famous Amphitheater. The lodge can only be reached with a 4×4 / high clearance vehicle. If you don’t have a 4×4 you will park your car at Alpine Heath and Greenfire Lodge will fetch you and your luggage.
On our way to Greenfire we stopped at Ground House Coffee in Hilton for takeaway cappuccinos and then at The Tower of Pizza for lunch.
The Tower of Pizza is in Bergville and is very close to Alpine Heath Resort. We enjoyed a delicious pizza and lasagne before making our way to our destination.
We reached the Lodge just after 2pm (we saw some horses on the way up) and signed in and were taken to Cabin 2 which is a Family Cabin. We unpacked and then took a walk to the pool viewpoint and to the viewpoint near the Main Lodge.
Supper at 7pm was a three course meal and we were so impressed. It was worthy of a fine dining establishment. Our starter was carrots served 5 ways, mains was a fabulous beef fillet and dessert was poached pear with black pepper. We couldn’t stop oohing and aahing over the incredible meal.
After supper Neil got the fire going in our cabin as it was a cold night. The wind had been howling that day but fortunately it was only slightly breezy that evening. The cabins are well built and well insulated and with the fire we were warm and cozy.
We woke up early so that we could see the sunrise but unfortunately it was very misty and it was also very cold. We wore jackets, beanies and gloves and were still cold. The morning sun shining on the mountains was wonderful to see once the mist has cleared. We got back to the cabin just after 7am and the flask of hot water had been delivered for us to make our coffee. We had packed our own French press and pre-ground a whole bag (250g) of Bluebird Coffee.
Breakfast was at 8am and we were given fresh fruit and delicious home baked bread. There were breakfast cereals available and also muffins. Cooked breakfast choices were : Greenfire breakfast of eggs, bacon or sausage, mushrooms and grilled tomato, Egg on Toast, Cheese Omelette and French toast with bacon and honey. We both chose the Greenfire breakfast and added in the chefs special of cherry tomatoes with basil pesto.
After breakfast we took a slow walk up a hill so that we could see over Greenfire Lodge and to also get a bit closer to the mountain. There was a slight breeze blowing, the sun was warm and the sky was a clear blue. There are not enough words to describe how beautiful and awe inspiring the mountains are that surround Greenfire Lodge, also how close the mountains are to the cabins. We saw Eland and Baboons in the distance and Neil spotted a Tortoise when we walked back down the hill. Did you know that Tortoises could hiss? When Neil gently picked it up it hissed from inside its shell.
Lunch was served at 1pm and they made smoked chicken wraps served with a variety of vegetables. If you go for a hike and won’t be back before lunch, they will pack lunch to take with you.
After lunch we took a walk down to the bass dam with Leica, the lodge dog. Katniss, one of the lodge cats, had also visited us inside the main lodge and ran to us after our walk. She curled up on Neil’s jacket on our cabin verandah. We sat and watched birds flitting in the bush and the changing light on the mountains. Later we dressed up warmly to go down to the pool viewpoint to see the sunset.
Supper that evening was another delicious three course menu. Starter was onion tart, mains was pork chop with vegetables and a mustard sauce and dessert was Greenfire tirumisu. There was also freshly baked bread which we slathered with butter.
It had been a cold day and we were looking forward to having a fire in our cabin again.
We had thought of waking up early again to try and see a sunrise but we overslept and there was mist again anyway. Flask of hot water was delivered at 7am and we made coffee and sat on the verandah. At 8am we went for breakfast and Neil had the cheese omelette and I had French toast with bacon, honey and sliced banana. It was so delicious. We both had fresh fruit and yoghurt and Neil also had 2 vanilla muffins.
Every single time we came for a meal the table setting was different. Different placemats, different glasses and different serviettes. Even the crockery was different. Loved it!
Our Drakensberg escape had come to an end…….
We packed up our things and checked out just before 10am.
On the way down we saw different horses than the one’s we saw when we arrived and we also saw some type of buck lying down. We didn’t time how long it took for us to get up to the lodge when we arrived so we timed going down. It took approximately 40 minutes from the top until we exited Alpine Heath.
Would we stay again? YES YES!
Greenfire Lodge Drakensberg
Accommodation : There are 7 Canadian style log cabins with 2 cabin types.
Double / Twin :
Max guests : 3 (max 2 adults)
Mountain facing, en-suite, solar powered, fireplace, verandah, septic tank system, gas geyser.
Family Cabin :
Max guests : 4 (max 4 adults)
Two bedrooms, bathroom, solar powered, septic tank system, gas geyser, fireplace and verandah overlooking the mountains.
We booked through Nightsbridge from the Greenfire Lodge Drakensberg website.
The Main Lodge has a communal lounge, dining area, central fireplace, honesty bar and a verandah with couches that surround it. Wonderful views of the Royal Natal National Park and the Amphitheater.
ALL meals are provided at this Lodge
PLEASE NOTE : A minimum 2 night stay is required.
Activities : Hiking, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding (guided horse trails on request), swimming and fishing.
The cliffs above the lodge are home to a colony of Vultures. The foothills are home to Eland and many other animal and bird species.
If you are looking for a place to go for a digital detox then this is it. Cabins are solar powered for lighting and to charge devices. There are no TV’s and there is no kettle. Staff will deliver a flask of hot water and a jar of rusks to the cabins in the morning so that guests can make their coffee / tea. Hot water for the shower is provided by a gas geyser. The fireplace is well stocked with wood and they provide matches and fire starters.
The Main Lodge also does not have a TV but there are a few games and books. There is NO WIFI and the cellphone reception is very sporadic. My Telkom Mobile did better than my husbands Vodacom. All pathways are lit by Consol Solar Jars.
Greenfire Lodge Drakensberg Website
