GIANTS CASTLE
Provincial Wildlife Park Accommodation
in Giants Castle, Drakensberg & Surroundings,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Historic Giant's Castle Game Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Berg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site. Giant's Castle camp is situated on a gassy plateau among the deep valleys running down from the face of the High Drakensberg, offering glorious views for hikers and mountain climbers.

Superb rock art is high among its special attractions. The renowned vulture restaurant is open in winter for visitors to watch bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding.Visit the Main Caves Museum for fascinating insight into the past lifestyle of the San people.

Accommodation

Giant's Castle Camp

Giant's Castle Game Reserve in the central region of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park takes its name from the silhouette of the peaks and escarpment that resemble the profile of a sleeping giant. Wild flowers of the Drakensberg is the design theme of Giant's Castle Camp and Rock Lodge and original botanical paintings feature in all the chalets and lodge buildings.

The camp has 37 two-bed-chalets with en-suite facilities, a lounge/dining area and fully appointed kitchens; 3 four-bed chalets with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge/dining area and a fully equipped kitchen; and 3 six-bed chalets featuring three bedrooms, one bathroom(seperate toilet), a lounge/dining area and a fully appointed kitchen. Unit number 8, known as "Bride's Bush" has a double bed, a very private setting with a lovely view of the mountains which makes it an ideal honeymoon suite. All units are equiped with satellite TV. Rock Lodge is now a mini conference centre as well as a wedding venue. Run in partnership with KZN Wildlife it makes a wonderful addition to the peace and tranquility of the wildflower garden that is Giant`s Camp. A perfect place to get rid of your stress and recharge your batteries.

Izimbali restaurant and bar provides guests with the option of fully catered meals in its warm and relaxed atmosphere.
A vulture hide allows unique birding in winter inclusively from May to September and the Main Caves Museum gives an insight into the past life of the San People.

Conference Centre
Situated in the heart of the only "Game Reserve" in Natal outside of Zululand, the Rock Lodge Conference Center is one of the most unique conference centers in the country. It is a magnificent lodge built into a hillside over looking the Bushmans River with Giants Castle as a backdrop. The lodge incorporates the surrounding freestanding natural rock into its conference lounge wall.
Designed primarily to accommodate smaller conference groups of around 30 delegates in a horse shoe layout, the center can accommodate 60 delegates seated cinema style. Accommodation at Giants Castle can accommodate up to 120 people, and special rates are offered to organizations that take advantage of our "off" season May, June, and July period.
This executive conference & events centre is designed for "smaller" groups such as a board of directors - middle & upper management teams or for companies desiring a unique location to host their conferences - entertain their corporate guests or for an exciting team building location or exotic wedding location.

Capacity
Cinema style 60 / 70
Single U-shape / horse shoe 25
Boardroom 20

Equipment
Multi-Media Projector with XGA Resolution (1024 x768)
2X DVD Players/Stereo VCR/Tower computer
P4 with DVD/CD Rom burner /full Microsoft office suit.
Full graphics and digital edit suit available.

Facilities at Giant's Castle
Izimbali (flowers) Restaurant
Curio shop
Bar Facilities with DSTV
Magnificent Mountain views from the restaurant sun

Activities Available at Giant's Castle
15 kilometers of Trout fishing river
Walking & Hiking Trails- High altitude guided trails by special arrangement.
Guided cultural tours to local amaHlubi community.
Cultural Zulu dance and song events.
Champagne breakfasts, barbeques & Sundowners at the Lammergeyer hide (vulture restaurant)
Main Cave San rock art shelter with over 450 rock art paintings.
Special Braai evenings at the Rock Lodge ( when not in use for conferences)
Organized trips to Kamberg "Pass Shelter", regarded as one of finest rock art shelters in the world.

Wedding Information
Our magnificent views and mountainous backdrops makes Giant's Castle an ideal and unique venue for the "smaller" wedding (up to 80 guests) although we do offer special rates to those who book out the entire camp (120 guests).

Catering Requirements
Samples of suggested menus can be obtained from the conference centre manager, who will be only to happy to discuss various options to meet your personnel preferences and budget.

Venue Details
Venue fee R1000-00
Providing Giant's Castle Izimbali restaurant does all of the catering we waiver the venue fee of R1000 and also provide the following at no extra charge.
Round tables that can seat up to 10 persons.
Rectangular tables that can seat 8 persons.
Square tables that seat combinations of 4 people upwards.
White table cloths.
White serviettes.
Crockery, cutlery and glassware.
Waiters & Barmen.

General Information
Rock Lodge is jointly managed by Entabeni Communications and KZN Wildlife. Our professional and motivated team will make every effort to ensure that any wedding, meeting or conference held at the Lodge will be a memorable event.

For further information please contact the Hospitality Manager at Giant's Castle or Entabeni Communications at

Please note.
Giant's Castle offers a wonderful and unique location for weddings and special occasions such as anniversaries or birthday celebrations we do not however consider ourselves to be wedding "Dressers". We leave that to the professionals. We do however, have a list of contact names and numbers of wedding dressers and florists in the area who will be able to assist with additional arrangements.

Should you have any special request or require any additional information please contact the Conference & Functions Centre manager. The Conference Centre Manager.

Activities

Prehistoric Rock Art:
There is a large sandstone cave containing prehistoric San rock art. This is one of the biggest and best preserved painted sites in southern Africa. This cave is an easy 45 minute walk from the camp office and regular guided tours are taken through this unique exhibition from 09h00 to 15h00 daily for a small fee.

Day Walks:
There is a variety of self guided day walks through the lower parts of the park throughout the year, weather permitting. Routes are available from the camp office.

Bird Watching :
Over 170 known species of birds, including many raptors such as Bearded Vulture and Black Eagle

The Lammergeyer Hide:
Offers excellent viewing of raptors from May to September - limited availability so booking through the Camp Office

Hiking and Camping:
Throughout the year. Overnight hiking is suitable for experienced hikers. Tents are only permitted above the contour line, out of sight of the main hutted camp.

Trout Fishing:
In the streams along the Bushman's River; in season only [closed season 1 June to 31 August].

Swimming:
Limited to parts of the Bushman's River below the drinking water in-take for Giants Camp. [Summer months only!]

Game Viewing:
Mainly Eland and other species of antelope, baboons, also some smaller mammals such as rock hyrax(dassie)and serval. Best sightings are in the winter months, but good throughout the year.

Ice Climbing:
Limited Ice climbing during the winter months only - contact the Officer- in-Charge for details

Mountain Biking:
Mountain bikes are only allowed on the 75 kilometre Mountain Bike Challenge route.
This is held annually on the last Sunday in April. To book for this limited prestige event contact WILDLANDS CONSERVATION TRUST

Relaxing:
Excellent opportunities throughout the year, irrespective of weather, particularly in the comfortable rest camp.

Recommended Reading:
Barrier of Spears, Mountain Splendour, and Dragons Wrath, all by Reg Pearce; Field Guide to the Natal Drakensberg, by Dave and Pat Irwin; 120 Drakensberg Walks, by David Bristow; Cradle of Rivers, by David Dodds and "Giant's Castle A Personal Experience" by Bill Barnes.

Vital Information

Gate Opening and Closing Times:
Summer ( October to March ) 05h00 to 19h00
Winter (April to September ) 06h00 to 18h00

Reception Hours:
The office and shop are open from 08h00 to 18h00 from Monday to Saturday and from 08h00 to 16h00 on Sunday

Distance and Time from Gate to Camp: 7 kms and 20 minutes

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

Facilities:
The Main Caves Bushman Museum is a half hour walk from the camp.

Shop:
The shop sells a wide range of curios and supplies.

Restaurant
The camp has been extensively upgraded and extended and now includes a restaurant and pub.

Special Precautions:
The weather is subject to change at short notice and hikers must be well equipped as it can get extremely cold. Hikers must also fill in their details in the Mountain Rescue Register before proceeding on a hike.

The nearest town which has a full range of services is Estcourt which is 65 kms away.

How to get there:
Visitors from the north turn off the N3 into Estcourt. At the intersection of Conner and Lorne streets turn on to the Ntabamhlope road and follow the signs to Giants Castle.

Visitors from the south turn off the N3 into Mooi River, go through the town and follow the Giants Castle signs to the reserve 64 kms away.

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: A 2 bed chalet.

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