Drakensberg Mountain Retreat

Accommodation Vergezient Mountain Resort

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Drakensberg Retreat

The Drakensberg Mountain Retreat is the ideal place for a Retreat or Getaway, to rejuvenate in mind, body and spirit.

Our lives are so busy, mainly due to the fact that we try to fill almost every minute of the day with some activity or other. And then, when we do get away from the rat race we get away, we fill our time with other activities instead of using the time to rejuvenate mentally, physically and spiritually, in peaceful and tranquil surroundings.

The ideal place to rest, rejuvinate and enjoy nature is at Drakenserg Mountain Retreat.
Vergezient is situated on a farm on the Little Berg in the Northern Drakensberg. Being high up one has a totally different view of the Drakensberg. You feel as if you are on the same level as the Drakensberg and below lies the uThugela Valley with Woodstock Dam and to the far left Spionkop Dam. On the right is a magnificent view of the Drakensberg from the Amphitheatre right down to Champagne Castle in the Central Drakensberg. The silence and beauty are ideal to calm the mind and create a feeling of wellbeing.

Originally Vergezient catered only for hikers with very comfortable hiking accommodation in what is called the Barnhouse. The main house has undergone reconstruction and now operates as a Guest House. All three meals as well as morning and afternoon tea are part of the package. If you want to go out for the day to explore other parts of the Drakensberg, then a lunch can be packed for you. With the well set out hiking and walking trails, most prefer to spend their time at Vergezient to gain the maximum benefit from their stay. The trails vary from sections of open grasslands to gullies with natural bush and streams. A long hike to the bottom of the Berg takes you to a cave with bushman paintings. Maps of all the hikes are available. Buck and baboons are often seen and a number of friendly horses roam around, only too pleased to get some attention or a little snack. Orphan Annie is a foal that was rejected by it’s mother and has been hand reared. She is now a permanent guest at the Guest House whereas the other horses tend to stay around the Barnhouse. A number of small dams have been built and one large one is still under construction. These will be stocked with bass and trout.

The weather can be variable but with glass enclosed verandahs and a number of fire places, it adds to the atmosphere. Experience the beauty of the night sky in absolute silence.

The indoor pool is large enough to have a decent swim and a pleasure after a long days hike or for a little exercise between relaxing. The smaller of the 2 pools is going to be heated but is not heated as yet. Vergezient is approximately 330km form Johannesburg and Durban and therefor well within travelling distance for a weekend.

From Johannesburg take the N3 as far as Harrismith. Take the N5 for about 2 kilometers and then turn left onto the R712, marked Phuthatijaba. Travel for approximately 4 to 6km. Turn left onto the R74 and travel 20km until you reach the signs, Retiefpas / Retiefklip. Turn left and travel about 3km and then turn right at the Retiefpas sign. Travel a further 11km and turn right at the sign marked Vergezient. Pass the farmhouse on your left and continue over the rise and then you will want to stop for a moment to take in the beauty before you.

From Durban turn off the N3 just after Shell Ultra City ( soon after Estcourt ) marked R74 Bergville / Colenso. Keep left, pass through Winterton and Begville. Continue up and over Olivier’s Hoek Pass until you get to the sign Retiefpas/ Retiefklip. Turn right and follow the instructions as above.

Having spent a great deal of time at Vergezient, I have no doubt that you too will experience the benefits that the beauty and tranquility Vergezient Mountain Retreat has to offer.