Things to do
Hiking and Picnics
Home to the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, and the second highest falls in the world – The Tugela Falls. The Ezemvelo Royal Natal National Park is a renowned hiking area, rich in natural beauty. It offers hikes to suite all various needs, and has attractive picnic areas for families to enjoy spending time in nature. It is a 20 Kilometre drive from Ezulwini Berg Resort, and shuttle services can be arranged on request for large groups.
Fishing
Stocked trout dams are situated at the Royal Natal National Park and Rugged Glen Dam. Guests are required to bring their own fishing rods, and only fly fishing is permitted. An entrance fee is payable upon entry to the park and a fishing permit must be obtained from the Visitor’s Centre. The Sterkfontein Dam which is renowned for its fishing is situated about 30km from the resort.
Cultural Heritage & Arts and Crafts
Cultural Tourism is an ever increasing industry, and the Drakensberg has amassed a wealth of cultural heritage throughout the history of South Africa. The area offers cultural tourists the opportunity to explore bushman paintings, and the Mnweni Cultural Village. Traditional Zulu dancing and theatre can be arranged for guests upon advanced request. For guests wishing to experience a true Zulu cultural experience, we can arrange overnight stays in local villages. The Arts and Crafts industry compliments the cultural tourism industry. Tourists can explore Thandanani, which is a co-operative of local crafts people selling a variety of crafts that are typical of this area. The most popular items are beautiful hand-woven grass baskets and placemats.
Adventure Enthusiasts
There is a range exciting of activities in the area to provide an adrenalin fix to adventure enthusiasts. All Out Adventures offers 8 awesome activities at one spectacular venue. Highlights included South Africa’s only commercially operated participation flying trapeze, a tree top cable tour, paintball, quad biking, a scenic gorge swing and chocolate cake to die for. Ideal for team building, corporate fun days, school groups and holiday makers – an All Out Adventures experience makes a visit to the Northern Berg truly unforgettable.
All Out Adventures is 10 Kilometres away from Ezulwini Berg Resort.
Tuva Powerstation Tour
Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme (Tuva Powerstation) Tour. The Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme was designed to generate electricity for 10 hours with all 4 units per day, pump water back to the top dam for 9 hours with all 4 units per day. A pumped storage scheme generates electricity during peak hours, which is every day when the demand of electricity rises. During the off-peak periods Drakensberg will use its reversible turbines to pump the water back to the upper reservoir, readying the system for peak periods. The power station is also a joint venture between Eskom and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (the Tugela-Vaal Scheme) in the transfer of water from the Thukela River to the Vaal dam. A special feature of the station is that it is constructed entirely underground with only a dam wall, lift shaft buildings and transmission lines visible at the surface. The four reversible pump turbines are situated 52 storeys below ground level.
Guided tours begin at the Drakensberg Visitors Centre with a presentation providing an introduction to Eskom followed by a detailed overview of the operational function of the power station. An interactive exhibition and brochures provide further information. The visit continues with a site tour to the station, which includes viewing the Valve Hall and the Machine Hall. The visit showcases South Africa’s technology and business capability. The diversity of engineering disciplines involved in the construction and operation of the power station, make the visit of interest to a wide spectrum of audiences.
The Visitors Centre opening hours for viewing the displays are from Monday to Friday as follows:
Monday – Thursday 7:00-16:00 Friday 7:00-12:00
Guided tours are conducted Monday to Thursday 9:00 or 13:00 and Friday 9:00 only.
The power station is 5 kilometres away from Ezulwini Berg Resort.
Food and Drink
There are several restaurants and food establishments in the area. Some of these include..
- The Tower of Pizza – 5km away
- Coyote Cafe – 8km away
- Burgerville – 15km away
- Bingelela – 27km away
Annual Events and Attractions in the Area:
- All Out Adventure Mountain Bike Race
- Run The Berg Challenge
- 4×4 Rally
- Auther Cartwell Bergville-Ladysmith Marathon
- ARide For Education Challenge
- Drakensberg Boys Choir