Holiday Resort with varied Accommodation

in Graskop, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Accommodation

This B&B has 13 en-suite garden rondavels (African style thatched, round rooms), 2 wooden cabins, and 2 large family units. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, television and the self catering units have kitchens equipped with fridges.

The lodge is safely fenced with 24-hour monitoring and there is a large, indigenous garden, swimming pool, braai facility, cosy pub and a restaurant.

Bed only, bed & breakfast and dinner, bed & breakfast options are available. Contact us for rates.

The Lodge has a unique old SA Railways train coach on its own platform that is very popular as basic, backpackers accommodation. The train has 8 private compartments that sleep 1 to 2 persons each. There are two toilets on board the coach and 6 showers and 4 additional toilets and hand basins next to the train coach. A small, basic outside kitchen (no utensils) with a gas stove and hot water is also available.

There is a large campsite, a pub, restaurant and swimming pool.

Back Packers' Train

There is an old SAR rail wagon with 3 coupés and 5 compartments. The train has its own platform and bedding is provided. The facility is unique and clean and fun for kids and young adults. The train sleeps up to 20 persons. There are 2 toilets on board and men's and ladies' ablution next to the train. For this back packers facility, Summit Lodge has a small veldt kitchen adjacent to the train.

The area

The area has much to offer. This part of the Drakensberg is extensively used for forestry and the natural beauty is awesome. At God's Window (only 5km from Summit Lodge) one can see for many kilometres and from there one can see a vast piece of land, several 100 km2, known as the lowveld. These mountains are known for its many waterfalls, hiking trails, flowers, tree ferns and places of historical value. These are, inter alia, Lisbon falls, Berlin falls, Lone Creek, Mac Mac, Horse Shoe falls, Bridal Veil falls, Pilgrim's Rest, The Pinnacle Rock, The Potholes and so on. The Mpumalanga escarpment in the vicinity of the Blyde River Canyon is known for its good rainfall, cool wreaths of mist. There are many popular hiking trails in the area and each one reflects its own charm and distinction. For the visitor, the serene green canopy of pine and indigenous forests and the age old tree ferns reflects its own charm and distinctive attributes.

Walking through the dense evergreen forests, verdant with lush ferns and undergrowth may yield the glimpse of a Lourie, its wings covered with dark metallic green. Samango monkeys stutter their staccato calls in the living silence where rivers tumble over rock faces and the tourist is rewarded with the welcome sounds of cool streams tumbling over shaped rock faces. The wide panoramic views and seasonal grasslands are strewn with wild flowers, aloes and proteas supplemented by terrestrial orchids and species of heath. Many streams are rich in trout and the relaxing and recharging effect of fly fishing is good therapy to the stressed city worker.

The Lisbon and 150m high Berlin falls is a must-see. So whether you are sight seeing or just breaking away, the crime free relaxing atmosphere of the Mpumalanga escarpment will revitalize your soul. Pack a back pack and make a day of it - Visit the Lone Creek, Mac Mac, Maria Shires, Forest, Bridal Veil and Horse Shoe falls. Have picnic and a swim in the crystal clear water of the Mac Mac pools or stroll around the historical Pilgrim's Rest. See the diggings and go horse riding in the Mountains.