The Cavern Resort Hotel and Spa

View of the Cavern from the top of the valley

About The Cavern Hotel

The Cavern is a holiday resort offering you Drakensberg accommodation in the KwaZulu Natal region. Named after the "Cannibal Cavern", it is situated on 3000 hectares of private mountain reserve adjacent to the Amphitheatre Royal Natal National Park - a World Heritage Site.

This stunning full board Drakensberg resort has won numerous accolades and awards, giving you sound peace of mind. Superior suites, Superior rooms and Standard room accommodation are available to guests, all offering spectacular views of the surrounding valleys, forests and mountainside. The Superior accommodation is set away from the resort, in tranquil gardens, giving you magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Accommodation

The Cavern is a Drakensberg holiday resort offering two types of accommodation (Standard and Superior) which have been rated as "Highly Recommended" by the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa.

Standard Rooms: 
Our Standard accommodation is set in lush garden landscapes with a vibrant mix of indigenous planting, filled with the sounds of birdlife.
Each room has a patio to soak up the sun and enjoy the mountain splendour.

Superior Rooms:
Our finely appointed Superior accommodation has magnificent views of the surrounding mountains with private patios to soak up the sun, listen to the sounds of forest streams and relax in our mountain wilderness. 
All accommodation has a TV and bar fridge.

Superior Suites:
With superior finishings and fittings our superior suites are nests of tranquillity each with its own private fireplace, patio, TV and bar fridge. 
They have magnificent views of the surrounding mountains with the sounds of waterfalls and streams rushing through indigenous forests.

Dining

Our friendly staff welcome you to our dining room where a Table d' hotel menu offers a wide choice at every meal.

Weekly functions include 'Lunch in the Sun', 'Boma Buffets' and 'Potjie Pots'. A range of beers and a selection of South African wines are available. The Emaweni Cave bar is fully licensed, and operates between 12h00 & 23h00.

Child Friendly Holidays

The Cavern is a child friendly family resort and is in the Automobile Association's Hall of Fame. We have a separate children's dining room for children under 7 years where parents are encouraged to join their kids during their mealtime. The dining room has a fridge and microwave for use by parents if required.

Trained nannies are available during all the adult meal times to look after and entertain your children. There are suitable DVD's, toys, and an outside play area, which is fenced off so that kids can get fresh air without the danger of running off unaccompanied by adult supervision. Other activities include face painting, play dough, finger painting and many crafts. Our staff are trained to interact with your children and they are kept amused with songs, dancing and group play.

Children's entertainment is organized in the afternoons on a daily basis and a little play group is run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings out of school holidays for the valley children - you are welcome to join in.

Nannies are available for hire outside of meal and organized children's entertainment times.

Activities

Every day local guides are on hand to accompany guests on short or more challenging hikes. Numerous beauty spots are visited where a brew of tea and crunchies are enjoyed.
Fish for trout in our five well stocked dams. Swim in the rivers or in our large crystal clear swimming pool.

Guests may choose from a variety of leisure activities, including tennis, bowls, volleyball, jogging, mountain biking... and on Saturdays- dance the night away.

Location:

The Cavern is located in the Northern Drakensberg, 3.5 hours from Gauteng and 3 hours from Durban on excellent tarred roads.

The Cavern Resort and Spa Rooms


Standard Room:

Standard accommodation is set in lush garden landscapes with a vibrant mix of indigenous planting, filled with the sounds of birdlife. Each room has bathroom en suite, tea and coffee making facilities and a patio to soak up the sun and enjoy the mountain splendour. There are no TV’s in the standard accommodation.

Superior Room:

Superior accommodation is set overlooking the magnificent indigenous Fern Forest. The private patios give you the privacy and peace to enjoy the views, listen to the sounds of forest streams and relax in the mountain wilderness. The superior rooms are spacious and have a TV and bar fridge.

Superior Suite:

With superior finishings and fittings the Superior Suites are nests of tranquillity, each with its own private fireplace, patio, TV and bar fridge. The Superior Suites are set overlooking the magnificent indigenous Fern Forest with private patios to soak up the sun, listen to the sounds of forest streams and relax in our mountain wilderness.

Standard Three Bedded Family Room sleeps 3

This standard family room sleeps 3 and consists of a king size double bed and a single bed in the same room. The room is spacious and comfortable, with en suite bath and shower, tea and coffee making facilities and a patio. A cot can be fitted or a short bed put in, in these rooms for young children. These rooms are set in lush garden landscapes with a vibrant mix of indigenous plants, which attract a myriad of birdlife.

Standard Family Interleading Rooms

The standard family interleading units consist of two bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double bed and the second bedroom has 2 single beds/ bunk-beds for children. The rooms are comfortable with en suite bath and shower, tea and coffee making facilities and outside patio. These units are set in lush garden landscapes with a vibrant mix of indigenous planting, filled with the sounds of birdlife. Some units do not have mountain views.

Superior Family Interleading Room

The superior family units consist of two bedrooms off a common passage. The master bedroom has a king size double bed with shower en-suite and the second bedroom has two single beds with bathroom en-suite. The unit is comfortable with tea and coffee making facilities, TV, bar fridge and a balcony with a view of the surrounding mountains. Note: There is a staircase in this unit.

Superior Family Suite

The superior family suites consist of two bedrooms and a lounge. The master bedroom has a king size double bed and the second bedroom has a set of bunk beds / twin beds for children. The units are comfortable with en suite bath and shower, tea and coffee making facilities, TV, bar fridge, fireplace and outside patio.


Hotel Rates and Specials Offers

If you don't see a package type that suits you, let us know and we will do our best to put together or source the holiday you want.

Advance Bookings | Valid: 10 March 2024 to 9 December 2024
Standard Room
  • Per person sharing from: R 1 710 per night
Superior Room
  • Per person sharing from: R 2 160 per night
Superior Suite
  • Per person sharing from: R 2 472 per night

** Book 3 nights and get a 20 minute Forest Foot Massage included free of charge! **


Includes
  • Accommodation as booked
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • Guided morning hikes
  • Spa treatmmnets can be pre-booked
Childrens Rates
  • Children under 7 eat seperately in the childrens dining room. A nanny is provided ( FOC ) in the playroom to look after the children while adults enjoy dinner.
  • 0 to 3 years - 10% rate | Meals early, in the children’s dining room
  • 4 to 6 years - 40% rate | Meals early, in the children’s dining room
  • 7 to 12 years - 70% rate | Meals in the main dining room

Peak Period dates ( Block out dates )
  • 20 September to 24 September 2024

Rate Valid to: 10 December 2024

R 10 380 pps

2 Nights The Cavern Resort and Spa and 2 Nights Springbok Lodge
The Cavern Includes
  • Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
  • 2 nights accommodation in a standard room
  • Guided walks
  • Mid-morning and afternoon tea/coffee with baked treats
Springbok Lodge Includes
  • Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch daily
  • 2 nights accommodation in a luxury Safari Tent
  • Morning and afternoon game drives in an open 4x4
  • Tea and Coffee and snacks on game drives
  • Read more about Springbok Lodge HERE

Cavern Resort Standard Rates Include
  • Accommodation in attractive thatched lodgings as booked
  • Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch Daily
  • Teas and listed activities
  • Guided walks through the exceptional wilderness
  • TV Lounges (SABC & DSTV)
  • Picnic lunches when requested

  • 0 to 3 years - 10% rate | Meals early, in the children’s dining room
  • 4 to 6 years - 40% rate | Meals early, in the children’s dining room
  • 7 to 12 years - 70% rate | Meals in the main dining room

Peak Periods
  • 20 September to 24 September 2024

How to get to The Cavern Hotel and Spa

Directions From Joburg To The Cavern Hotel in the Drakensberg

  • Take the N3 South towards Durban, until Harrismith.
  • From there take the N5 West towards Bethlehem for 4 km only.
  • Turn left onto the R712 / R74 (Signposted towards Qwa-Qwa & Alternative Route to Durban)
  • Travel for a further 8km only.
  • Turn left following the R74 towards Bergville, and down the Oliviershoek pass.
  • After 38km, the road levels out.
  • Turn right towards the Northern ‘Berg Resorts.
  • After 6 km turn right again towards The Cavern, Alpine Heath and Hlalanathi.
  • The Cavern is at the end of this 10km tarred road.

Directions From Durban To The Cavern Hotel in the Drakensberg

  • Travel north on the N3 towards Johannesburg.
  • After passing Estcourt Shell Ultra City, take the Ladysmith, Bergville and Northern ‘Berg Resorts Offramp (R74).
  • Turn left towards Winterton and Bergville.
  • Travel through Winterton and 30km past Bergville.
  • There, turn left towards Northern ‘Berg Resorts.
  • After 6 km turn right towards The Cavern, Alpine Heath and Hlalanathi.
  • The Cavern is at the end of this 10km tarred road