Located in the Cathedral Peak valley of the u Khahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site, Didimais a 5 hour driver on the N3 form Johannesburg and 4 hours from Durban. Didima Resort is set in a Stunning mountain paradise bathed in scenic beauty with rivers, streams, waterfalls, grasslands and craggy cliffs. The Resort accommodation is uniquely style, symbolic of the dwellings of the San people who once lived in these mountains.
Didima Resort is a perfect destination for the holiday traveler.
Didima Resort celebrates the now lost culture of the San people and captures something of their oneness with their environment. Their art has been accurately reproduced and can be viewed at the San Rock Centre as well as in small shelters found throughout the Park.
The Cathedral Peak area is a hikers delight, offering routes ranging from a few hours on the mountain paths to several days of camping and adventure.
How to get to Didima Resort:
From the south: Pass Estcourt on the right of the N3, take the Winterton/Colenso off-ramp; head for Winterton (22 km); in Winterton, opposite the Engen petrol station, turn left over the railway line; follow the Cathedral Peak/Didima signs.
From north: Follow the road signs to Bergville; pass Bergville; turn right, 1 km beyond Bergville and follow the Cathedral Peak/Didima signs.
What to do on arrival
- An entrance fee is payable at the control gate.
- All overnight visitors must check in at the reception office on arrival.
- Office hours are from 07:00 - 19:00 daily.
- Check in time is 14:00 on the day of arrival and check out is 10:00 on the day of departure.
- A refundable key deposit of R50 is payable on arrival.
General:
- No pets of any kind are permitted in the reserve.
- Entrance gate is open 24 hours a day.
- Basic foods and provisions are available at the curio shop, open 08:00-19:00 daily, and Winterton village approximately 45 km away.
- Self-catering units do not have ovens.
- Petrol may be purchased at the Cathedral Peak Hotel, which is situated 4 km up the road from the control gate.
Mikes Pass Drive is closed for the public only NCS vehicle are permitted to take guests at a rate of R 60 PP minimum charge for 4 persons.
Trip times are:
- 09 am
- 12 pm
- 16 pm
Services
- Chalets are serviced daily
- Restaurant and bar
- Hiking tour guides
- DStv
- Office facilities, including internet
- Cellphone reception
- Child-minding services
- Shop with curios, firewood, hiking maps, phone cards and basic supplies
Attractions
Didima`s distinctive chalets and camp layout follow a symbolic expression of the San`s (or Bushmen) culture and way of life
The Didima Rock Art Centre offers insight into the rich art and culture of the San
Didima`s Conference Centre venue provides one of the most scenic venues for weddings and functions
Mike`s Pass offers an unique opportunity to drive or cycle to the top of the little berg for a panoramic view of the escarpment
Activities
HIKING
Cathedral Peak is a hikers paradise, with its many hikes ranging in duration from one to several days.
A local map with details on eight different walks commencing from the resort is available at the reception office.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Mountain Rescue Register must to be completed before you begin your hike.
Make sure you sign out again when you return.
Please ensure that you complete the mountain rescue register correctly and in detail.
It is very often the only information the rescue team has to go on if you have an accident or get lost.
When you leave the park, it is essential that you record your return in the mountain rescue register.
Failure to do so wastes valuable time for managers during rescue operations.
Your life may depend on this information.
- Please ensure that you always complete the overnight mountain register (available at the reception) Plan your route;
describe this accurately in the register and stick to your plan;
- If you intend to use caves for over-nighting these must be booked with the office before you depart on your hike;
- For unexpected eventualities, always carry a tent suitable for mountain conditions, even if you have planned to stay in a cave;
- Never hike alone;
- An accurate map is vital.
- Detailed hiking maps from No. 1-5 are available at the Curio Shop at a nominal fee.
- If you intend hiking on the summit be sure to carry your passport.
- Never leave any equipment unattended and check that you have placed all your belongings inside your tent at night.
- All overnight hikers must keep their fee invoice with them.
- If you choose to carry a firearm with you keep it concealed at all times and declare it at the parks reception Day walk register available even if you are planning for a short walk.
Didima Accommodation:
Didima Resort features 63 two-bed chalets, 2 four bed, luxury honeymoon suite and 1 six bed bungalow.
Each of the two bed chalets are connected by an inter-leading doorway allowing the two chalets to be converted into a four bed family unit with self catering facility.
In addition Didima features two four-bed chalets with two bedrooms each en-suite, a lounge/dining area and one six-bed chalet with three bedrooms, a lounge/dining area and a kitchen.
Didima Cathedral Peak:
Bordering on the upper Thukela area in the north and east, Lesotho in the west and Monk`s Cowl in the south, this section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is 32 000 hectares in extent. Containing the magnificent Didima Valley with its many examples of San Rock art, it is a hikers paradise offering routes that range from a few hours to several days.
For the visitors less inclined to physical activity or whose time is limited, Mike`s Pass provides an opportunity to drive to the top of the Little Berg near the head of Didima Gorge for spectacular views of the main escarpment and the surrounding lowlands.
While hiking, a wide selection of plants and animals can be seen in the extensive grasslands and forest patches characteristic of this part of the `Berg`.
Overhead the effortless flight of a Bearded vulture (Lammergeyer) while closer at hand Malachite sun birds flash from protea to protea, a noisy troop of baboons bark at the intruders in their domain and a family of Mountain reedbuck display their white tails as they race up a nearby slope. Didima Resort offers an upmarket 140 bed hutted accommodation themed to the San People and their rock art and a modern interactive interpretive centre which l allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of these First People.
Gate Times
There is a 24 hour entrance gate.
All bookings are confirmed once payment or partial payment is received.
Cancellations greater than 45 days prior to arrival = 10% of amount (min R100)
Cancellation within 45 to 30 days of arrival = 25% of the amount.
Cancellation within 29 to 15 days of arrival = 50% of the amount.
Cancellation within 14 days & arrival date = 100% of the amount.
Amending booked dates is as good as cancelling a booking if it falls within the cancellation period. Same policy applies to amending a booking.
Cancellation policy are voided when booking dates are amended to be cancelled to avoid cancellation policy. So once dates are amended, cancellation policy are not applicable.
High season is applicable over public holidays, school holidays, long weekends, events and high occupancy periods. Tariffs may differ to those advertised.
FROM DURBAN
A) Along the N3, pass Shell Ultra City and take the Exit 194, 'Winterton/Bergville/Colenso/R74' glide off. Turn left and proceed for 20kms to Winterton. Opposite the Engen garage, turn left onto the R600 CENTRAL BERG road.Go over the railway line and river bridge. Go past the shops on the right and turn right at first road to the right, (100m past shops): Travel for about 11kms, at a 't-junction stop', turn right and 500m turn first left, sign 'Cathedral Peak Hotel /Emmaus'. Didima is about 20 minutest 30km at the end of this road.You have arrived!
B) Alternatively, from the N3, take EXIT 179, the 'Estcourt North/Giant`s Castle/Loskop/Central Drakensberg' for about 30 kms. (Don't take this road at night, as it passes through a rural area). You will pass the KwaZulu Shoe factory on your left. After the R600 intersection, the road becomes dirt (for about 10kms), then resumes as tar. After about 3kms (on tar), turn left at sign 'Cathedral Peak Hotel/EmmaUS'. Didima is about 20 minutest/30kms at the end of this road.
You have arrived!
FROM JOHANNESBURG
Scenic Route: CAUTION: Do not follow this route in wet or freezing conditions
Johannesburg to Harrismith on N3. At Harrismith turn right(Exit 29) onto N5 towards BETHLEHEM/BLOEMFONTEINt/Alternative Route to Durban.
Proceed forapproximately 5kms, turn left onto the 'R712 QWA-QWA/BERGVILLE' road. Proceed for approximately 10kms. Turn left again on the 'R74 BERGVILLE/OLIVIERSHOEK PASS'road. Continue past Sterkfontein dam, down Oliviershoek Pass, straight past Bergville.As you leave Bergville, Cross the Tugela River Bridge, then turn right onto a tar road, signposted 'Cathedral Peak Hotel'. Travel about 20 minutes/17kms then turn right at sign post 'Cathedral Peak Hotel/ Emmaus'.
Didima is about 20 minutes/30km at the end of this road.
You have arrIved!
FREEWAY ROUTE
Johannesburg to Van Reenen's Pass on the N3.
Take the first glide off after the Tugela Toll Plaza, which is at the bottom of Van Reenen`s Pass.Turn right over the Freeway and proceed for 38km to R74 junction. Turn left to Bergville and As you leave Bergville, cross the Tugela River bridge then turn right onto the tar road, signposted 'Cathedral Peak Hotel'. Travel about 20 minutes/17kms then turn right at signpost Cathedral Peak Hotel/ Emmaus'. Didima is about 20 minutes/30km at the end of this road.
You have arrived!
