In our view Antbear has far more personality and charm then the large better-known hotels in these mountain ranges. Antbear takes just 10 guests in five individually designed cottages and the place has a lot of charm and originality. While the accommodation is simple it is very comfortable with good size beds, cosy touches, en-suite bathrooms and great views. The furniture is individually hand crafted and there are numerous paintings and large wooden sculptures in the rooms, the dining lodge and lounge.

Andrew and Conny, your hosts, set great store by the originality and quality of food that is served, particularly their slow and decadent dinners which can last for hours as guests enjoy conversation and laughter. The menu is pretty adventurous and includes north African, Chinese and Indian cuisine, as well as good hearty South African food. Breakfasts are also an institution here and can run on for a couple of hours until people feel they really ought to get out and walk it off in the spectacular Drakensberg scenery.

There are numerous excellent day walks from Antbear and visitors can dip into the history of the region, beginning with Bushman’s rock art dating back thousands of years to some of the bloody battles that were fought in the Anglo-Zulu War and Boer War in the 19th century.