PAID CONTENT FOR WITSIESHOEK MOUNTAIN LODGE
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge SOUTH AFRICA
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge is the place to stay in the Northern Drakensberg, since it provides the ideal base for an expedition to climb the Drakensberg’s Amphitheatre to the top of Tugela Falls — the highest waterfall in the world. It’s also the trailhead for the Drakensberg Grand Traverse, one of the world’s greatest multi-day, off-trail adventures. It serves as a home and a respite for
adventurous hikers and trekkers, and is renowned for hearty meals, comfortable accommodation and the warmest of welcomes provided by the local Batlokoa (Sotho) community, which owns and runs the lodge. With more than 50 miles of hiking trails
heading off from the front door of the lodge, there’s an almost endless range of possibilities and combinations for single and multi-day hiking adventures. Many of these are world- class hiking routes prized by many experienced hikers. Indeed, climbing up the two sets of chain ladders on the Sentinel Peak Trail is a bucket-list adventure for enthusiasts.
The lodge opened in the 1950s with an
emphasis on access to quality guides and mountain trail safety, and has expanded over the years. It was recently renovated to offer modern facilities. Friendships made on the trail are cemented in the dining room, communal lounge and pub, where stories of the day’s adventures are shared. Accommodation ranges from large mountain-facing en suite rooms to backpacker units, catering for a variety of budgets. With the lodge located on the very edge of the
Royal Natal National Park, multi-day hikers can combine hikes from the Drakensberg foothills to the top of the Drakensberg’s Amphitheatre by using Witsieshoek for mid-point accommodation and support. The lodge also offers shorter day hikes for those with less time availability or lower fitness levels. Beyond hiking, the area’s alpine climate makes it attractive to wildlife enthusiasts. Endemic to the area are bearded vultures, with a vulture ‘restaurant’ (sites where food is deposited for feeding) providing a unique opportunity to see these endangered birds.
Don’t miss The Sentinel Peak hike to the top of Tugela Falls is widely considered one of the best one-day hikes in the world
25 Need to know
KEY FACILITIES • 38 double or twin en suite rooms • Six twin backpacker rooms • Restaurant • Pub and lounge with wi-fi • Transfers to trailhead • Expert mountain guides
KEY ACTIVITIES • Hiking • Rock climbing • Mountain bike trails • Bearded vulture ‘restaurant’
Get in touch
witsieshoek.co.za
T: +27 58 713 6361/2 E:
info@witsieshoek.co.za
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