Set in the heart of the majestic Southern Drakensberg, bordering directly on to the Drakensberg Park, Sani Lodge and Cottages offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including; a restaurant, a swimming pool, Phuzabooza bar, private Hot Tubs with incredible views at Honeyguide cottage, Aloe cottage, Woodpecker mountain view rondavel and Kingfisher mountain view rondavel as well as guided hiking and tours up Sani Pass into Lesotho. The views of the mountains around the Lodge are spectacular and guests have direct access to the Park for hikes.
As one of the oldest Lodges in the country, welcoming guests from around the world for over 33 years, our Lodge is Fair Trade Certified proving that we are leaders in the field of responsible and sustainable tourism. This has gained us global recognition for our ethical practices in social upliftment as well as nature conservation.
At Sani Lodge and Cottages we believe we cater towards the independent traveller with a conscience.
When making your booking:
- Please book dinner and breakfast when you make your booking with us. Our restaurant serves a 3-course dinner at 18:30 by advance order only. Breakfast is available from 07:30 to 10 am.
- Tours up Sani Pass into Lesotho and guided hikes to rock art and Hodgson’s Peaks in Lesotho are on offer with our tour company. If you are interested, please advance book and we shall send you the kit lists. Passports are necessary for the Lesotho tour.
- If you are doing the Giant’s Cup Trail Hike, we offer personalised mugs with your name, the text ‘I did the Giant’s Cup Trail’, and a sketch of the mountains. The mugs are made on-site by our Ceramicist Simone. Please order in advance.
Sani Lodge and Cottages arrival guide:
- Please call us to advise your expected time of arrival.
- Check in to reception to fetch your keys from 2 pm to 7 pm. If you are arriving after 7 pm, we shall leave a map on the reception for you to find your unit. It will be left open with the key in the door.
- If you have booked Aloe or Honeyguide cottages, Woodpecker or Kingfisher en-suite rondavels, please let reception know in advance if you want the wood-fired Hot tub to be heated and ready from you from 11 am or later in the afternoon.
- This is a rural located Lodge far from the city.
- The farm track to Aloe cottage is gravel and slippery in the rainy season. There are two farm gates that you need to close on route to the cottage to stop our dairy cows going on to the road or into our gardens. As the carpark is on the other side of the mountain stream, there is a foot bridge to access the cottage. Water is pumped from the mountain stream next to Aloe cottage. Please do not swim in it. The restaurant and bar are 200 metres walk away. The swimming pool is 100 metres walk away and is shared with other guests. Please do not use the owner’s pool.
- The restaurant serves all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner does need to be booked in advance). Our restaurant serves a 3-course dinner at 18:30 by advance order only. Breakfast is available from 07:30 to 10 am and lunch between 12 and 2 pm. Good Coffee and our baked cheesecake made from our farm butter, cream cheese and fruit is available in between.
- Free WIFI is available at the restaurant and bar during opening hours only. There is no WIFI in any of the cottages or units.
- Bring a torch if you plan to walk to the restaurant at night.
- There is no TV in the units. DSTV shows major sports matches in the restaurant.
- Tours up Sani Pass into Lesotho and guided hikes to rock art and Hodgson’s Peaks in Lesotho are on offer with our tour company. If you are interested, please advance book and we shall send you the kit lists. Passports are necessary for the Lesotho tour.
- The property has solar panels to generate electricity whilst the sun is shining and basic battery storage. In the event of an Eskom electrical outage during the day, you will have power. If the outage is at night, the battery backup will supply power for a limited time.
- Hikes into the Drakensberg Park begin here. Please visit the reception for hiking trail advice, a hiking permit, maps and route description.
- No pets allowed.
Accommodation at Sani Lodge and Cottages:
* Honeyguide cottage 4 sleeper: Mountain views, a garden and a private Hot Tub with incredible views. Offering 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a storeroom, coffee maker, fresh farm milk, wine glasses, hot tub goblets, shampoo and conditioner, shower and hand soap, board games, spices, magazines, books, log fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, sitting room, towels, feather duvets, bath towels, hot tub towels. All beds have electric blankets. A barbeque and outdoor furniture enable the enjoyment of the starry skies. There is a shared outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, (free WIFI), cheesery, Hand-milking of cows, Paint on Clay, craft shop, table tennis, Conference venue, laundry service, nature trail, fresh herb garden, hiking trails, tour desk and information office.
* Aloe cottage 4 sleeper - Mountain views with a private Hot tub and garden. Offering 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, coffee machine, fresh farm milk, wine glasses, hot tub goblets, shampoo and conditioner, shower and hand soap, board games, spices, magazines, books, log fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, sitting room, bath towels, hot tub towels, feather duvets. All beds have electric blankets. A barbeque, and outdoor furniture enables enjoyment of the starry skies. On-site shared pool, restaurant, bar, (free WIFI), cheesery, hand-milking of cows, Paint on Clay, craft shop, table tennis, Conference venue, laundry service, nature trail, fresh herb garden, hiking trails, tour desk and information office.
* Ntshitshi Cottage - 4 to 6 sleeper offering 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, coffee machine, fresh farm milk, wineglasses, shampoo and conditioner, shower and hand soap, board games, spices, magazines, books, log fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, sitting room, towels, feather duvets. All beds have electric blankets. A Barbeque and outdoor furniture enable enjoyment of the starry skies. On-site shared pool, restaurant, bar, (free WIFI), cheesery, hand-milking of cows, Paint on Clay, craft shop, table tennis, laundry service, nature trail, fresh herb garden, hiking trails, tour desk and information office.
* En-suite rondavels with double beds, Mountain Views and private Hot Tubs. Woodpecker and Kingfisher each have their own private Hot tubs with mountain views, double beds with electric blankets, Coffee machine, feather duvets, bath towels, hot tub towels, hot tub goblets, shampoo, conditioner, hand and shower soap.
* En-suite rondavel with double bed (no Mountain View). Francolin has coffee, a double bed with electric blanket, bath towels, feather duvets, shampoo, conditioner, hand and shower soap.
* En-suite rondavel single. Hoopoe has coffee, a three-quarter bed with electric blanket, towels feather duvet, shampoo, conditioner, hand and shower soap.
* Standard rooms: Twin or double beds with coffee, feather duvets, bath towels, shower soap. No private hot tub or bathroom.
* Shared bunk rooms - Feather duvets. No private hot tub or bathroom.
* Central fully equipped kitchen for standard rooms, rondavels, and bunk rooms.
* Bathrooms for the standard rooms and bunk rooms.
* Central sitting room with log fireplace.
Sani Lodge is situated at the foot of the legendary Sani Pass. This places us a mere 16 km from the South African border with Lesotho. Our property directly adjoins the Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site enabling our guests to access the Park from their rooms.
- Lesotho tours from the Lodge
- Rock Art guided hikes.
- Mountain biking events.
- Trail running events.
Activities off-site:
- Hiking into the neighbouring Drakensberg Park. The Lodge office sells entry permits and supplies advice, maps and route descriptions. Day and multi-day hikes possible.
- Giant’s cup trail starts here. The Lodge office supplies advice and our shop sells maps.
- Excellent location on the Sani Pass road 15 km from the town of Himeville, with spectacular views of the mountains and only 16 kilometres from the South African border post with Lesotho.
Amenities and Activities on-site:
- Lodge reception office open daily between 7 am to 7pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Sundays and 7 am to 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
- Tour desk at the Lodge office offering tours by Drakensberg Adventures that include guided hiking to a cave and rock art paintings, pony trekking and cultural tours in Lesotho.
- Swimming pool available daily. Please always supervise children.
- Conference venue for 30 delegates.
- Private hot tubs at Honeyguide and Aloe cottages, Woodpecker and Kingfisher Rondavels only.
- Restaurant with free wifi open daily between 7.30 am and 8 pm for breakfast, lunch, top quality organic coffee cappuccinos, signature cheesecake, dinner and packed lunches. Dinner needs advance booking by 2pm latest on the day. Packed lunches need to be ordered the day before.
- DStv in the restaurant shows main sports matches.
- Cheesery open daily from 7.30 am to 8 pm making dairy products using our Jersey cow farm milk and include: hard cheeses, feta, halloumi, cream cheese, yoghurt, ice cream and butter.
- Phuzabooza bar with free wifi open daily serving cocktails, craft and other beers, local wine and mixers.
- Paint on clay for the whole family available daily between 8 am and 5 pm.
- Craft shop and art gallery open daily from 7.30 to 8 pm selling our farm dairy produce, Fair Trade goods, ceramics made by Simone, organic jams made by Russell, crafts, maps, books, coffee, teas, blankets, snacks, candles, firewood.
- Games for children and table tennis.
- Nature trail for 2 km on our land with a booklet available from the Lodge office or to buy at the shop.
- Hand milking of cows - This may be watched at 7.30 am and 3 pm. Please supervise children.
- Basic servicing of unit will take place daily.
- Guest laundry service available at 7-8 am only. Eco-friendly cold wash and sunshine dried.
- Solar panels make energy during the day to keep the Lodge and restaurant running smoothly during ESKOM power outages.
- Indigenous plant nursery open daily from 7.30 am to 8 pm.
- Waste separation bins at the main lodge in support of refuse recycling.
- Water-wise idigenous gardens attracting unique bird species, insects and animals.
- Guest herb garden in the main lodge courtyard - help yourself and flavour your meals.
Bring warm clothing for winter nights.
All units have mountain views, private hot tubs, a coffee machine, farm milk, private bathrooms, electric blankets, feather duvets, private entrances and outside seating. Soap, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are provided.
Cottages have log fireplaces and barbeque stands in the gardens. They also have two bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens.
Cottage for 4 guests with mountain views, log fireplace, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, coffee machine. Private Hot tub and braai in the garden. Free WIFI at restaurant and bar. Shared pool 200m away. Pottery, cow milking, cheesery, tours, hikes. No TV/WIFI in unit.
Cottage for 4 with mountain views,private Hot tub, log fireplace, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, coffee machine. Braai in the garden. Free WIFI at restaurant and bar. Shared pool 100m away. Pottery, cow milking, cheesery, tours, hikes. No TV/WIFI in unit.
Mountain view with private bathroom and Hot tub. Double bed, coffee maker, farm milk. Kitchen, braai, cosy living room, log fireplace and pool are shared with other guests. WIFI & DSTV are at the restaurant and bar. Lesotho tours, conference venue.
Mountain view with private bathroom and Hot tub. Double bed, coffee maker, farm milk. Kitchen, braai, cosy living room, log fireplace and pool are shared with other guests. WIFI & DSTV are at the restaurant and bar. Lesotho tours, conference venue.
If cancelling 30 days before arrival, forfeit 100% of the deposit.
Full advance payment by credit card or EFT.
RESERVATIONS:
1) Check-in time is from 2 to 7 pm (8pm on Fridays and Saturdays only). Check-out time is at 10 am. Guests staying later than 10 am will be charged an occupancy rate amounting to the cost of an extra night.
2) On arrival, holders of reservations must produce proof of identification.
3) Your reservation will only be guaranteed after the deposit amount requested is received. A 100% deposit is required to confirm a booking within 24 hours of making your reservation. All payments must reflect in our bank account before your arrival or departure at the Lodge.
4) Kindly email proof of payment to Sani Lodge and Cottages.
5) Sani Lodge reserves the right to release bookings that are non-guaranteed or unconfirmed by payment of deposit.
6) Please notify the Lodge of any changes to your reservation details, late arrivals or cancellations.
ALL BOOKINGS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CANCELLATION POLICY CONDITIONS LISTED BELOW AND ARE ACCEPTED BY THE DEPOSITOR UPON PAYMENT OF THE DEPOSIT:
- All cancellations must be made in writing. The cancellation policy below is applicable to all bookings.
- A no-show fee of 100% will be charged if guests fail to arrive at the Lodge on the stated date or if cancellations are made within 24 hours of arrival.
- Should a reservation be cancelled between 0 - 90 days prior to arrival; a 100% non-refundable cancellation fee will be charged.
- Guests are liable for a full account of the period booked regardless of late arrival or early checkout.
- Prices quoted are subject to change.
ADMISSION POLICY FOR ALL GUESTS:
1) The use of drones on the property and in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg, Park is strictly prohibited.
2) The right is reserved to order any tenant off the premises who renders himself guilty of violating any of the general rules regarding accommodation and utilization of facilities or of indecent behaviour or any other form of misconduct, without a refund on prepaid accommodation.
3) No person may permit any act that could prove to be a nuisance, obstruction, hindrance or disrespect to another person.
4) Any breakage or damage to contents of accommodation and buildings and contents elsewhere on the property will be charged at replacement value.
5) No smoking inside any of the buildings. Offenders will be fined R500 for the deep cleaning of rooms.
6) The facilities available at the Lodge are strictly reserved for the use of residents only. No visitors to guests staying are allowed to stay overnight or use the facilities.
7) No pets allowed.
8) As a family destination for people to enjoy nature, no music is allowed to be played by car radios or otherwise at any time.
9) In the interest of all guests, no noise will be tolerated before 8 am or after 10 pm.
10) A breakage deposit of R1000 is chargeable for groups staying in the Group Facility. This will be refunded if there are no breakages/damage to the premises. If the damages exceed the amount of the deposit paid, the lessor shall have the right to claim the full amount of all damage caused by the lessee.
Children of all ages are welcome. Children aged 2 and below are free.
