MONTUSI MOUNTAIN LODGE

Discover genuine hospitality at our Northern Drakensberg mountain retreat in one of the most tranquil and beautiful settings in Southern Africa.

Come discover space, luxury and tranquility when you visit Montusi.
Witness the natural splendour and romantic ambience of this Northern Drakensberg mountain retreat.

Situated midway between Johannesburg and Durban, Montusi Mountain Lodge is one of the few destinations with a panoramic vista of the Drakensberg’s most famous feature, the Amphitheatre escarpment.

Enjoy luxury Drakensberg accommodation in the most beautiful natural setting where you can be as active or relaxed as you choose.

Montusi Mountain Lodge was established in June 2000 by the Carte family and has created a unique opportunity for guests to indulge in the freedom of the wild Drakensberg experience.

Montusi believes that preservation is an integral part of conservation in the Northern Drakensberg. With this in mind, invasive wattle trees have been eradicated and our estate has been rehabilited by planting thousands of indigenous trees.

This effort has culminated in the indigenous forests, and resultant indigenous birdlife, flourishing. Additionally, this has seen the return of Mountain Reedbuck, Vaal Rhebuck, Bushbuck and the elusive Eland that have repopulated this area once inhabited by the Bushmen.

This is an idyllic escape to space, comfort and peace.

Our Suites

Montusi boasts 16 beautifully appointed suites set in open gardens each with panoramic views of the Amphitheatre and surrounding mountains.

All the suites are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities and a bar fridge for fresh milk. A minibar facility in the suite is available upon request.

Special Offers

Take advantage of our fabulous specials while they last.

Activities

The art of doing nothing is a sought-after pastime that can be enjoyed at Montusi Mountain Lodge. 
There is no pressure and no wake-up calls (in fact no telephone in the room).

Montusi Mountain Lodge is the perfect place to simply wind down and enjoy our little bit of paradise while recharging your batteries or getting involved with some of the activities.

Weddings

When you book Montusi for your wedding you book the whole of Montusi.
This means the lodge and the 1,000 hectares of conservation estate just for your wedding and celebration.

All Out Adventures

Anyone approaching Montusi Mountain Lodge cannot fail to notice the entrance to the impressive Adventure Centre alongside the road 10 minutes drive from the Lodge.

Guests wanting an adrenaline rush have access to a number of exciting activities. These include the spectacular Cable Tour, a hair-raising Free Fall King Swing, thrilling Flying Trapeze, Bungee Bounce (trampoline and bungee system), Zip Line (Giant Foofy Slide), Forested Paintball and Quad Bike Tours to the river.

This is a great venue for corporate and family team building. Activities are carried out with attention to safety and are achievable by participants of all ages and fitness levels.

There is a tea garden and children’s zone with a trampoline and dual sit&zip lines. The centre is closed on Mondays during KwaZulu-Natal school terms (and the 25th December).

Unauthorised use of equipment is prohibited and indemnity forms must be signed.

Visit www.alloutadventures.co.za for more information or phone 079 417 4989 or 082 406 8980.

Hiking

Hiking is one of the most frequently enjoyed activities in the Northern Drakensberg. Montusi provides daily morning walks on the 1000 ha. estate with a guide who provides tea, coffee and cookies free of charge.

Popular destinations are the top of Montusi Mountain, Bushman Cave (where you can see Bushman paintings), Waterfall Cave and various streams and rock pools for summer swimming.

Come and enjoy the surrounding natural landscape with us.

Horse Riding

The Northern Horse operates along some of the most spectacular horse trails in the Berg right from the Montusi Estate. The stables are within easy walking distance from the lodge and all levels of rider are catered for.

They specialize in customizing trails to suit the riders skill level. This includes everything from gentle strolls over flat fields to exhilarating descents into the river valleys and climbs up the escarpments.

Visit their dedicated horse riding website at The Northern Horse

Fishing

We have a few dams on the property stocked with trout or bass. Bring your own rod and tackle.

Relax and enjoy the view while tickling the trout’s fancy with some of your well-chosen flies.

This is a strictly ‘Catch and Release’ activity and is reserved exclusively for Montusi guests.

Mountain Biking

Montusi Mountain Lodge is situated within the 100km network of Northern Drakensberg Mountain Bike Trails. These offer all levels of rider amazing opportunities to test and grow their skills on purpose-built and maintained trails. Not to mention the views are spectacular!

You can bring your own bike or hire quality mountain bikes from All Out Adventures, just 4 km from Montusi Mountain Lodge.

Visit Drakensberg Trails and All Out Adventures (for bike rental) websites:

https://www.drakensbergtrails.co.za
https://www.alloutadventures.co.za/trail-running-and-mountain-biking

Trail running

Trail runners of all skill levels can enjoy the Northern Drakensberg mountains or plains as they traverse the mountain biking and hiking paths.

Feel welcome to join the group Sunset Trail Runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 17:00 in the Summer months and 16:15 during Winter (May, June, July & August) for an end to the day that you will not forget!

Birding

In the establishment of Montusi Mountain Lodge, we wanted to attract as much endemic birdlife to the area as possible.

We began by introducing as many indigenous plants as possible and the gardens have since flourished with different species of bird such as sunbirds, sugarbirds, widows and wydahs. So avid birders can start their twitching right from their verandas! 

A short stroll to the dams, or through the horse paddock expands the birding experience to include kingfishers, bald ibis, lapwings and on occasion the endangered ground hornbill.

Day Spa

The “Pamper Me” Day Spa operates from a cosy loft in the main building. The owned and operated by one of our community ladies who is developing her own spa business. The treatments on offer include excellent massage, mani’s and pedi’s and facials. The strong and caring hands of the “Pamper Me” therapsits provide Montusi guests with a blissful escape that will revive and rejuvenate weary bodies and minds. Booking essential – contact the Montusi Reception.

Full Moon Walk

On the night of the Full Moon, we invite our guests to venture into the silver light for a short walk across to one of the Montusi dams. The quiet of the night, as well as the absence of artificial light make for an unusually magical experience. A dam-side chat over an Amarula coffee next to the raging bonfire is a highlight of the lunar cycle. Full moons for the remainder of 2024: 22 June; 21 July; 19 August; 18 September; 17 October; 15 November; 15 December

Golf

Want to try your hand at some golf in the Drakensberg?

Visit the nine-hole Amphitheatre Golf Course at Hlalanathi just 8 km away.

You can call them on 036 438 6308.

Swimming

 The stunning natural-look for the Montusi Swimming Pool was inspired by the rock-pools of the numerous mountain streams that traverse the Drakensberg. For the more adventurous, a wild swim in the dams and rivers is an absolute treat, while a shower beneath a waterfall is a bracing relief on a hot summer day!

Tennis

Tennis is a great way to enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise and be entertained all at once.

Our tennis court and equipment are available to Montusi guests to enjoy at no extra charge.

Scenic 4x4 Drive

For the less active, a wonderful way to explore the Montusi Estate is on our Scenic 4×4 Drive. The experienced guide drives guests in our comfortable 4×4 over to the Wanhoop Valley and up onto the Montusi Ridge. The naturally-occuring game such as eland, mountain reedbuck and zebra may be spotted along the way, while the sun setting over the mountains provides the perfect backdrop for a toast to another superb day at Montusi.

Book your stay

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