Antbear Guest House
14 Years ago an Antbear lived in ruin on a dilapidated farm in rural Kwazulu Natal. Conny and I discovered this ruin and our journey of sustainable living started. We were sad when the Antbear moved out but its spirit lives on through the name of our lodge.
The Antbear Lodge is situated in the Drakensberg Mountains and is a perfect base to explore the very best of what this region offers. The Drakensberg Mountains are renowned for their dramatic natural beauty spectacular mountain scapes, waterfalls and sunsets. And don’t forget about the bushman rock art paintings made by the San people over a period of 4000 years. Come and be inspired by their history and spirituality.
Accommodation in a luxury cave in the Drakesberg Mountains near to Giants Castle
Essentially we are an accommodation provider offering 14 individually styled units as either en-suite doubles, family units or luxury suites. Our most unique accommodation is our luxury cave which blends into its environment to create an atmosphere of privacy and seclusion. Glass doors open on to a wooden deck with hammock chairs with an uninterrupted panoramic view of the Drakensberg Mountains. You could even consider a romantic private dining experience on the deck of your cave under the stars.
Artistic design with self engraved glass and wooden doors
The natural setting is stunning and we have managed to make the accommodation fit in with ease. Each of the units are different and are separate from each other creating a feeling of generosity. The rooms are smartly appointed and individually designed for comfort. And have the features like fireplaces and Jacuzzi spa baths. We have put a huge amount of effort into making our own wooden furniture which includes tables, chairs, headboards, windows, doors and light fittings. In fact you will discover unique and eccentric wooden furniture everywhere in the lodge. Artistic design is captured through wooden hinges, engraved glass and mosaics. And if you feel like seeing how we make our furniture feel free to put your nose into our workshop.
All furniture at the lodge has been made here ourselves
We are one of those places where everyone dines together. It makes for great conversation is and is a perfect opportunity to plan your next day. We use our own organic vegetable garden. We have our own chickens for eggs, cows for milk, make own cheese. Butter and yogurt and bake our own bread. Sustainability is a huge part of the ethos of our lodge.
We have used alternative materials like straw bales to build the place and use solar for heating water and a reed bed filter cleaning waste water
Microlight flights along the Drakensberg escarpment
And there is plenty to do here besides relaxing. I have a pilots license and a microlight at the lodge. If the weather is good I love to take guests with me. To glide together with the vultures or fly along the Drakensberg escarpment is often considered as the highlight of a tour. We practice the softer horse whispering techniques to train our horses and offer out rides that are particularly suited to beginners and first timers. And there are hiking trails to fit every level of fitness. Even guided. The vulture hides at Giants Castle are perhaps the best options available anywhere to see and photograph these birds. Or add a bit of adrenaline with a canopy tour. Visit the Nelson Mandela Capture site while you explore our local arts and craft route with cheese tastings, chocolate dipping and meeting some of the artists themselves.
Horse trails in the Drakensberg Mountains
So if your looking for a place where art, beauty and time away are important then Antbear Lodge is worth a second look. We invite you to came and share some of our dream, some of our alternative, sustainable and relaxed way of life. We look forward to welcoming you.
The Antbear overlooks the Bushman’s river, which rises in the high Drakensberg near Giants castle and meets the Tugela north east of the small town of Weenen. It flows through one of those places on earth where the drama of human events seems to be etched forever into the landscape. In the south the huge mountains form the backdrop to this gigantic natural stage and down on the plain bisected by rivers and studded by thorn trees, the red tinge of grass still seems to hint at the bloody battles that were fought here. It is an area of huge vistas, a myriad of vantage points where the landscape rolls out for as far as the imagination. Wagondrift Dam and Moor park renowned for bird life and spectacular views Wagondrift dam and Moor park (8km from the Antbear) are two small conservation service nature reserves where bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, black wildebeest, zebra and impala abound. Moor Park is renowned for its bird life including a pair of nesting black eagles. A major feature of the park is the old Boer furrow trail which visitors can follow. Rock art at Kamberg – Kamberg (35km from the Antbear) has inspired many a dedicated fisherman to rise before dawn, get to out in the foothills of the Drakensberg and bag his trout. For anglers interested in not only catching trout, but also learning about their life cycle, Kamberg is a special treat. The hatchery is right here and visitors are welcome. For those of us not so interested in fishing follow the 5km trail passed the waterfall and chance upon the most exquisite examples of San rock art that can be seen anywhere. Giants Castle – Giants Castle (35km from the Antbear) with its splendid mountain scenery and towering escarpment is a mecca for those who love strenuous hiking trails, as well as those who prefer a leisurely stroll along the contour path to experience the peace and silence of the wilderness.
Klanten over Antbear Guest House
Mooie locatie ,prachtige omgeving, netheid kon beter ,we hadden een probleem nadat het personeel de houtkachel had aangemaakt op onze vraag ,kamer stond vol rook bij terugkomst, kleren waren doordrongen met rookgeur (valiezen stonden open) er werd een andere kamer aangeboden deze was echter niet schoon, kleren werden wel gewassen door het personeel, althans een deel (alles was niet mogelijk vermits wij terug vertrokken de volgende dag.).
Al met al dit verblijf was matig te noemen.
Een geweldige ligging met een fantastisch uitzicht op de Drakensbergen. Zeer gastvrij en vriendelijke mensen en een geweldig interieur dat door de vader van de eigenaar in eigen atelier gemaakt wordt. Het is alsof je in een kunst omgeving bent die een kruising vormt tussen Gaudi en Collani qua vormen. Een goede tip die we kregen is om naar Kamsberg te gaan voor de bushmen grottekeningen; een geweldige ervaring. let op, de wegen in dit gebied zijn slecht en een SUV is aan te bevelen. Het eten is prima maar niet heel hoogstaand, maar van goede kwaliteit en er wordt zeker rekening met jouw wensen gehouden, als is er geen menu-keuze voor het diner. Jammer dat we hier maar 2 lachen waren want ik zou vanuit hier graag de Drakensbergen nader willen ontdekken (maar daar heb je meer tijd voor nodig).
Prachtige locatie. Bijzonder gebouw. De meeste materialen en objecten hebben ronde vormen in en aan het gebouw. Kreeg een beetje Antoni Gaudi (spaanse architect) gevoel. Personeel vriendelijk en behulpzaam.
Minpuntje: Menu staat vast, er is geen keuze mogelijkheid. Wel kun je vooraf aangeven wat je niet lust en of er eventuele allergieën zijn. De porties zijn aan de kleine kant, er wordt daarna niet geïnformeerd of het voldoende is/was. Dit was wel jammer.
Wat vind je van deze accommodatie?
Laat het ons weten!