National Heritage Nature Park in the South African Drakensberg is the perfect holiday getaway for mountain walks and hikes, trout fishing and sheer relaxation.

Situated at the foot of Mount Lebanon in the picturesque Kamberg Valley. National Heritage offers two luxury well- appointed, self catering cottages named Reedbuck and Orbi and a luxurious farm house, named Eland. All three have panoramic views of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and are serviced twice daily. In addition to all of its own attractions, it is just a short drive away from the Midlands Meander and craft tours.

Set on 200 hectares of "never-been-cultivated" highveld grassland between the Giants Castle and Kamberg Nature Reserves, National Heritage Nature Park is home to numerous indigenous wildlife species. During your stay you may encounter zebra, wildebeest, blesbok, eland, oribi, common reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, rhebok, black-backed jackal, serval, gennet and baboon. Typical Drakensberg tree species occur in their various habitats and wildflowers are abundant, especially in spring and summer.

National Heritage Nature Park forms part of a 2 000 hectare nature reserve, which can be accessed on guided walks.

For the birding enthusiast, a walk around the game farm is a must. So is a walk through the Hlatikhulu vlei. A visit to the Hlatikhulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary (our neighbour) is always worthwhile. Some of the "birding specials" include lammergeier (bearded vulture), Cape vulture, long-crested eagle, forest buzzard, bush blackcap, Gurney's sugarbird, ground woodpecker and buff-streaked chat. Of course a walk around the wetland wouldn't be complete without looking for the three crane species - crowned, blue and wattled crane - as well as the spoonbill, African rail and the ever-elusive Bittern. There is also a large diversity of water birds including white-backed duck, South African shelduck and Cape shoveller. And what would the Drakensberg foothills be without the elegant "Sakabula" long-tailed widowbird!

Accommodation

Reedbuck is a luxury, 8 sleeper self-catering cottage that overlooks a well-stocked trout dam and consists of two double bedrooms (one en-suite), two bathrooms and a loft room with four bunk beds. The open-plan design of the kitchen/dining room/lounge presents breathtaking views of the mountains and leads onto a large wooden deck with weber braai, ideally suited for sundowners or meals.

Winter snowfalls are common in the mountains, so the lounge is fitted with a huge fireplace for a roaring log fire that makes the cottage your cosy haven on those chilly evenings. Firewood is provided.

The kitchen is excellently appointed with an oven and hob, microwave oven, fridge/freezer and all the necessary modern appliances to make your stay comfortable. All crockery, cutlery, bed linen and bath towels are provided.

Eland is a well-appointed luxurious farm house a stone's throw away from the trout dam. This house sleeps 9 people to accommodate slightly larger parties. The farmhouse consists of a master bedroom en-suite with a kingsize bed (or 2 singles), a guest room with a kingsize bed (or 2 singles) and a sleeper couch, two bathrooms and a third bedroom with four bunk beds. The kitchen is separate and the house is finished off with a large combined lounge/ diningroom and pub area, complimented by a fire place for those cosy winter evenings. Firewood is provided. A sheltered verandah with gas braai and weber overlooks the Hlatikulu wetlands.

The kitchen is excellently appointed with an oven and hob, microwave oven, fridge/freezer and all the necessary modern appliances to make your stay comfortable. All crockery, cutlery, bed linen and bath towels are provided.

Oribi is a luxury, 8 sleeper self-catering cottage that overlooks a well-stocked trout dam and consists of two double bedrooms (one en-suite), two bathrooms and a third bedroom with four bunk beds. The open-plan design of the kitchen/dining room/lounge presents breathtaking views of the mountains and leads onto a covered varandah with weber braai ideally suited for sundowners or meals.

Winter snowfalls are common in the mountains, so the lounge is fitted with a fireplace for a roaring log fire that makes the cottage your cosy haven on those chilly evenings. Firewood is provided.

The kitchen is excellently appointed with an oven and hob, microwave oven, fridge/freezer and all the necessary modern appliances to make your stay comfortable. All crockery, cutlery, bed linen and bath towels are provided.

Activities

Relax

* Sit on the deck and enjoy the view.
* Relax around the dam and take in some sunshine.
* Hone your skills on the tennis court and in the cricket net.
* Relax around the swimming pool or go for a dip.
* Keep yourself entertained in our fully equipped games room.

Trout Fishing

* On our well-stocked dam, a mere cast from the deck; or
* On nearby waters, both dam and river.

Walks

* Speak to the host manager about various options, from an easy saunter to something more challenging.
* Bathe in crisp, clear mountain streams.
* Walk through indigenous forests and marvel at their splendour.

Sport and Recreation

* Swimming pool
* Tennis court
* Pool table
* Table tennis
* Cricket net
* Mountain biking (bring your own bicycles).

Other Places of Interest

* Hlatikhulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary.
* Kamberg, Highmoor and Giants Castle Nature Reserves.
* The Midlands Meander is a totally absorbing outing with many arts and crafts, restaurants and shops.
* Nottingham Road village is only 40 minutes away.
* Nine-hole country golf course.