Self-catering, cosy accommodation in Cathkin Park
Highbourne Cottages
About Us
Cosy cottages located in the Champagne Valley within Giants Castle
Welcome to a deep mountain experience that will take your breath away and leave a lasting memory for you to cherish!
Situated between Champagne Castle Hotel and the Monks Cowl entrance, Highbourne Cottages is part of the Drakensberg World Heritage Site. United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared the Drakensberg a world heritage site on two counts. Firstly, because of the fact that it contains approximately 30,000 examples of San or Bushman rock art. This region is thus the largest repository of rock art in the world.
Secondly, the accolade was achieved because of this mountain range’s unique fauna and flora.
Steeped in history, the first cottage was built in 1941. Highbourne Cottages are tucked away in the pristine Monk’s Cowl area in the Central Drakensberg, KZN. The cottages are off grid but still offering modern comforts with our water source coming from a spring high up in the mountains.
Highbourne Cottages is the perfect place to unwind and relax. Our garden is full of birdlife with access to the many walking trails in the world heritage site right from our property. We are centrally located to all the local shops, outdoor activities and restaurants which are a short drive away.
Your perfect getaway….
“Welcome to our cozy abode! Delighted to have you join us for wonderful moments filled with warmth, laughter, and memories.”
Brett and Lindsey, Your Hosts
Aloe Cottage
This is surrounded by beautiful gardens overlooking Cathkin Peak and Monks Cowl. It’s open plan design and big windows creates the feeling of sitting right in the mountains. The cottage sleeps up to four people with one large open planned bedroom on the ground floor and an open loft upstairs with two single beds, just perfect for a family of 4.
- The bathroom consists of a bath, toilet, and hand basin and off the bathroom, there is a private outside shower overlooking the mountains.
- Fully equipped kitchen with a stove and oven, fridge, and microwave with everything you will need to cook a gourmet dinner.
- The cosy open living area, leading from the kitchen; consists of a dining room area and lounge where you can sit in front of a slow combustion fireplace during the chilly winter days.
- The cottage also has a braai and outside dining area overlooking the garden and surrounding mountains.
Price Per Night
TBC according to season
Protea Cottage
Tucked away on the side of a mountain overlooking Cathkin Peak and Monks Cowl. Our Protea cottage is open plan with the heart of the cottage opening onto a large wooden deck – the perfect spot to watch the setting sun.
The cottage sleeps up to four people with one large open planned studio-style bedroom on the ground floor and an open loft upstairs with two single beds, just perfect for a family of 4.
The studio design allows flow from the cosy well equipped kitchen to the lounge area and bedroom.
- The bathroom consists of a bath & shower, toilet, and hand basin.
- Protea Cottage has its own fully equipped kitchen with a stove and oven, fridge, and microwave with everything you will need to cook a gourmet dinner.
- The cosy open living area, leading from the kitchen; consists of a dining room area and lounge where you can sit in front of a slow combustion fireplace during the chilly winter days.
- The cottage also has a braai and outside dining area overlooking the beautiful surrounding mountains.
Price Per Night
TBC according to season
It was a privilege and a pleasure to stay at Highbourne. Beautiful property high up in the mountain, eye level with the rolling terraces of the Drakensberg. The house and gardens are beautiful, and we experienced both a cold, rainy, misty day, and a bright sunny day. Both days were special. The two houses we occupied both had fireplaces to keep us warm and toasty.
We loved the remote, off the grid location. The mountain views were spectacular, and the cottage was beautiful, warm, and cosy. Our hosts were super friendly and catered to our every need. One of our best stays in the Berg – also no power outages, fully solar and gas. Also absolutely loved the outdoor shower!
Information
Off Site Activities
Hiking
The most popular pursuit in this area is undoubtably hiking. The Drakensberg has the largest conglomeration of day walks and longer hikes in South Africa.
Most of these hikes are marked on Google maps. Another useful application that can be used is “TrailGuide”, and a useful website is drakensberghikes.com.
Highbourne is fortunate to be located virtually at the gate of Monk’s Cowl, which is the local entrance to the Drakensberg World Heritage Site. There are a number of very popular hikes in this area. The most recommended being:
Sterkspruit Falls
This easy walk starts at the Monks Cowl Camp of KZN Wildlife. It is clearly marked and is roughly 4 km in length and 1.5 hours in duration. The highlight of this walk is the view of the spectacular Sterkspruit Falls.
Keartland’s Pass, Blind Man’s Corner, The Sphinx and Crystal Falls
Moderate walk. This circular route, which also starts at Monks Cowl Camp can be described as moderate to challenging. It is well marked. Follow the signs to Keartland’s Pass and Nandi’s Falls. You will reach an intersection where the path splits to Nandi’s Falls and Keartland’s Pass. Be Careful to follow the path to Keartland’s Pass. The Keartaland’s Pass route intersects with the Contour Path. Turn right towards Blind Man’s Corner. Turn back at Blind Man’s corner and follow the Sphinx route to Monks Cowl. En Route you will encounter the magnificent Crystal Falls. 11.5km and approximately 6 hours in duration.
Nandi’s Falls
An easy walk from the Monks Cowl Camp. Well-marked. 8km. 2.5 hrs
Drakensberg Sun, which is only about 5km from Highbourne, has two excellent day walks:
The Blue Grotto and Fern Forest. These hikes can be done separately. However, it is recommended that you combine the two into one walk. The route is clearly marked from the Drakensberg Sun Hotel. The hike can be described as easy to moderate. It is a hike of some 10km in length and 4 hours in duration. You will encounter two spectacular waterfalls and a crystal-clear pool in the Blue Grotto. The Fern Forest is literally, a “fairy garden” of cascading streams and dense clumps of ferns. Remember to pay the relevant fee at the Drakensberg Sun activity centre and to fill out the register.
Cleo’s Falls. This hike starts at the Drakensberg Sun Activity Centre and is well marked. 7.5km. Just over 3 hours. Easy. The falls are in the Monks Cowl Reserve. This hike can also be approached from the Berghaven side of this area as well.
Other Activities in the area
Archery
Canopy Tour of Zip-Lining
Falcon Ridge Interactive Presentation
Helicopter Scenic Flights
Hot Air Ballooning
Macedonian Cheese factory
Quad Biking
Swimming
Arts, Crafts & cosy Restaurants
Didima Rock Art Centre
Four Rivers Rafting Adventures
Hikes and trails
Interactive Chocolate Factory
Mountain Bike Trails
Reptile Centre
Two Golf Courses
Battlefield Tours
E-Bike Valley Tours
Glass Beehive Tour
Horse Riding
KwaZulu Weavers
Paint Ball
Scootours
World-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir
Directions
From Gauteng:
Firstly, if you are travelling from Gauteng, take the N3 to Harrismith. At Harrismith turn left onto the R712. But don’t forget to turn right onto the R74 to Bergville. Then keep on the R74, travelling past the magnificent Sterkfontein Dam and Little Switzerland. This area is also known as the Oliviershoek Pass. Carry on along the R74 and travel through Bergville. You will then reach Winterton. At the robots just after the “Pig and Plough” turn right onto the R600. Keep on the R600, for some 36 km. Travel Past the turnoff to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School, Falcon Ridge and Champagne Castle Hotel. After the hotel, travel 1 kilometre to a dam with a green gate on the left-hand side with a no entry sign inside the property. Drive up the driveway and turn left when you see the Highbourne sign.
From Durban or Pietermaritzburg:
In the first place, travel on the N3 from Durban. Then keep on the N3 until you see the Loskop/ Estcourt Offramp (179). Then turn left at the intersection towards Loskop. Travel along the Loskop Road. Finally, you will reach a junction with the R600. Travel 13km on the R600 until you see the sign indicating the turnoff to the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir. Swallowfield’s is located precisely at that sign. From the Free State: Travel along the N5 through Bethlehem. Turn right onto the R74 just before Harrismith. Then keep on the R74, travelling past the magnificent Sterkfontein Dam and Little Switzerland. This area is also known as the Oliviershoek Pass. Carry on along the R74 and go through Bergville. You will then reach Winterton. At the robots just after the “Pig and Plough” turn right onto the R600.
Keep on the R600, for some 36 km. Travel Past the turnoff to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School, Falcon Ridge and Champagne Castle Hotel. After the hotel, travel 1 kilometre to a dam with a green gate on the left-hand side with a no entry sign inside the property. Drive up the driveway and turn left when you see the Highbourne sign.
Terms and Conditions
Rates
Rates quoted are effective from September 2023 and subject to change during high season and low season.
A 50% deposit is required to within 48 hours to secure your booking. A tentative booking is made for you during this time and any bookings without a deposit are not confirmed bookings and the accommodation will be re-let if the payment is not received by the agreed payment date. The remaining 50% is due 7 prior to arrival.
Deposits
Deposits are not refundable in the event of cancellation or non arrival.
*Cancellation 32 days and more, 100% is refunded
*Cancellation between 31 – 21 days, 50% is forfeited
*Cancellation between 21 – 14 days, 75% is forfeited
*Cancellation less than 14 days prior forfeit full deposit
Non arrivals and “no shows” will be charged in full for the booked accommodation period.
Check-in & Check-out
Check in is available from 2.00 pm to 8.00 pm (14:00 to 20:00) on the day of arrival. Check-in times outside of those specified must be confirmed with us prior to arrival. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of your booking.
Please notify the B&B in advance if you anticipate arriving after the stipulated check-in time
Check out time is anytime before 10h00 on the morning of your departure.
Smoking
For the comfort of all our guests Highbourne Cottages does not allow SMOKING in rooms or anywhere inside the cottages. Guests may use the designated smoking areas (Should this be disregarded the Laundry Service bill will be charged to your account) .
Solar Considerations
Highbourne Cottages are proudly off grid and draws power from solar. We do ask that you are cognisant of this and do not plug in or use the following appliances:
- Hair Dryer
- Hair straighter
- Electric blankets
- Electric Heaters
- Toasters
- Ice makers
- Kettle
- Electric Frying pan
- Baby bottle warmers
The use of these appliances will cause harm to the electricals and are strictly prohibited.
General
No persons, other than those quoted at the time of booking, are permitted to share the accommodation. In the event of additional guests arriving, they will be charged an additional fee.
Once deposits have been received, it is then deemed that you agree with these terms and conditions.
Discounted rates are available for stays of longer than 10 days and are available on request and subject to availability and seasonal demand.
All rates are non-commissionable.
Please ensure that the door and windows of your cottage is locked and closed when you are not in the cottage and on departure.
Please be considerate of other guests.
Damage done to furniture, fixtures, fittings and linen by any means including smoking, hair dye, will be for the guests account.
Use of our facilities is at the risk of the guest.
Any guest or their visitors utilizing the Highbourne Cottages facilities do so entirely at their own risk and therefore indemnify Highbourne Cottages in full and shall have no claim of whatsoever nature against Highbourne Cottages. Including any claim from any injury/bodily harm/death and or/loss of property which could arise from the use of this facility.
Should Highbourne Cottages suffer any loss or damage as a result of an act or omission by a guest or visitor of a guest will remain liable for full reimbursement of such loss or damage incurred and will be billed accordingly
Cathkin Park or Champagne Valley
which is not a valley …but a broader community of the Central Drakensberg in South Africa, is an epi-centre of adventure tourism. This area is one of the most popular and must-see regions of the Drakensberg. Cathkin Park is a suburb of the village of Winterton, which is some 30 kilometres away from the centre of this magnificent valley.