CATHEDRAL PEAK - DIDIMA
Provincial Wildlife Park Accommodation
in Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg & Surroundings,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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 huttted accomodation 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.

Accommodation
The luxurious Didima Resort, at Cathedral Peak has been themed around the art of the San people. The San Rock Art Interpretive Centre provides fascinating insights into the art and culture of the San and includes static displays and audio-visual presentations featuring a reconstructed cave covered with accurate reproductions of actual San Art sites.

Didima Resort features accomodation of 62 two - bed luxury chalets, 2 four-bed cabins, a two-bed honeymoon suite and a six-bed bungalow. Each of the two-bed chalets are back to back and an interleading door allows the two chalets to be converted into a four-bed family unit with self-catering facilities. The two four-bed cabins have two bedrooms each en-suite, a lounge/dining area and a kitchen, and the six-bed chalet has three bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities, a lounge/dining area and a kitchen. All accommodation at Didima Resort boasts satellite television and cosy fireplaces. The central lodge provides a restaurant and bar, fireplaces throughout, an intimate lounge and a shop for groceries and curios. The state-of-the-art conference facility seats 140 delegates and a large breakaway facility doubles as a wedding chapel with a full height glass wall framing the splendour of Cathedral Peak.

Caravan and Camping
Cathedral Peak is a stunning mountain paradise. Hiking and walking are the main activities with various hiking and walking trails ranging from a few hours on the mountain paths to several days of hiking. Mike's Pass offers an excellent drive to the top of the little Berg near the head of Didima Gorge with awe-inspiring views of the main escarpment and surrounding lowlands. 

Nature lovers can explore the extensive grasslands and mountain forest patches and observe a variety of bird and animal species. The Didima San art interpretive centre, which opened in 2003, provides fascinating insights into the art and culture of the San and includes static displays and a variety of audio-visual presentations. Cathedral Peak campsite features 21 shady well spaced camping and caravan sites. Campsites share coldwater taps. Barbecue facilities are available with firewood for sale. The ablution block features toilets, hot showers, baths and dishwashing facilities.

Conferences
Experience the Beauty of the Ukhahlamba Mountains, the Didima Resort conference Centre is situated within the magnificent mountain setting of the Didima and Cathedral Peak Valley with its unique blend of modern luxury and ancient cultural heritage which evokes the spirit of the bushman culture.

Facilities at Didima Resort
Exciting curio shop
Ethnic Eland View Restaurant
Open-plan Bar Facilities
Cozy Cigar lounge with DSTV
Thatched Gazebo alongside the Swimming Pool and Tennis courts
Magnificent Mountain scenery
San Art interpretive Centre

Activities Available at Didima Resort
Fishing in rivers
Walking and Hiking Trails into the surrounding mountains
Guided Trails up Mike`s Pass
Guided Walking trails to Rainbow Gorge, Baboon Rock, Bushman paintings and a variety of other scenic destinations
San Art Rock in-camp Trail
Braais in the Boma or at the Gazebo
Sundowner Walks & Braais
Mountain streams with rock pools within walking distance to the Resort

Various other activities are available at The Cathedral Peak Hotel by prior arrangements:
Golf course
Bowling Green
Beauty & Health Therapist
Helicopter Rides
Horse and Pony rides
Squash court
Trout Fishing

Auditoriums
Didima Conference Centre has two Auditoriums, one of which can be used as a Wedding Venue.
Both are equipped with the following state of the art equipment.
Multi-Media Projector with XGA Resolution (1024 x 768)
DVD Player and Video Cassette Recorder Wireless microphones
Touch Screen Control Panel (Wireless) Overhead Projector
Multi-Computer Input Selector
Internet Access
High Quality Audio System

Furnishings & Features
Beautiful Thatched complex
Exceptional Acoustical Properties
Spacious & Air Conditioned
Extremely Versatile Automatic Lighting
Lectern with fully automated Control Panel
Fully Equipped Projection Room
Rectangular Desks for versatile room Layout
Stackable chairs
Lectern with reading light & Built-in Control Panel

Capacity
Lecture Style: 60
Cinema Style: 100
Single U-Shape: 36
Banquet Style: 100
Boardroom: 30

Vital Information
Gate Opening and Closing Times:
24 Hour Gate

Office Hours:
The office is open from 07h00 to 19h00 Distance and Time from Gate to Camp:
1.5kms

Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00

Shop:
There is a shop that sells curios and limited supplies and a Restaurant, Bar and special Smoking Lounge with DSTV

Petrol may be purchased from the Cathedral Peak Hotel

Special Precautions:
When hiking be prepared for rapid changes of weather and extreme conditions especially cold. Before hiking the Mountain Rescue Register must be completed.

The nearest towns which have a full range of services are Bergville and Winterton which are both 45 kms away.

How to get there:
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!

Pets are not permitted into the reserve.

"No entry fees will be charged for visits by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Primary and Secondary School groups, from KZN Schools to KZN Protected Areas and St Lucia Crocodile Centre provided that such visits:
1. are authorised by the Head of the school
2. are booked in advance with the Officer in Charge of the Protected Area or Crocodile Centre
3. do not take place over weekends, during KZN Provincial school holidays or Public Holidays".

Facilities for people with disabilities:
Didima provides certain facilities for people with disabilities.These include a two bed cottage which is accessable to wheelchairs and with appropriate fittings and the main centre, bar and restaurant are also accessable to wheelchairs.The new Rock Art Interpretive Centre provides Wheelchair access.

Contact Us
OR
See next to main photo for alternative contact details.

Hotel/ Boutique Hotel, Holiday Resort
	List Now
No restaurants currently listed under Cathedral Peak
	List Now For Free
Helicopter Rides
	List Now For Free
View golf courses for Drakensberg & Surroundings
	List Now For Free
View Town Information for Cathedral Peak