February 2024

After many sea views this past December holiday, it was time for a break in the mountains. The Winterberg Mountains sounded like a good option and when we started looking for accommodation, our choice immediately fell on the 120-year old Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel. This hotel is located on Katberg Eco Golf Estate and only 200km/124 miles from East London.

After driving through Fort Beaufort, the hotel is about 45km/27 miles further. The last 30km/18 miles are on a dirt road which is not in the best condition. But the views are so beautiful that we didn’t mind slowing down a bit. And, although many people think you might need a 4×4 vehicle to drive this road, it’s good to know that a normal sedan will also be able to drive here.

Dirt road to Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel

Spectators on the road

The moment we drove through the gates of Katberg Eco Golf Estate, we were overwhelmed by the incredibly beautiful landscape.

View of the estate and Winterberg Mountains

Entrance to Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel

The Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel was closed for a few years but recently reopened. Although they are currently undergoing upgrades, they do receive guests and we were given a lovely double room overlooking the beautiful garden.

Our room with a view over the garden

The weather forecast for the weekend was high summer temperatures in the mid 30°C/86°F and after dropping our luggage in our room we immediately made our way to the pool – what a welcome sight.

A bridge led us to the pool

After freshening up, we walked to the dining room where we first had a couple of drinks on the balcony. Dinner was a three-course meal, which we thoroughly enjoyed while we basked in the old-world charm of the Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel.

Drinks on the hotel’s balcony

Starter and main course

To miss the heat, we got up at 6 o’clock the next morning to walk the ring road of the golf course. Nothing could prepare us for the amazing views that we would enjoy for the next hour and a half.

The start of our morning walk

As well as being one of the more isolated courses in the country, Katberg Golf Course is also only one of four courses to have a par-3 18th hole.

Berto occasionally plays a game of golf and he was very impressed with the course. But I think, even if you don’t play golf, the views on this golf course makes it an absolute pleasure to go for a stroll.

View of the golf course, estate and Winterberg Mountains

House on the estate

I’m not sure how many times we oohed and aahed as we walked the 7km/4.3 mile ring road. It didn’t actually matter where we looked … we were surrounded by a kind of beauty that we hadn’t seen much of in our travels thus far.

One of many dams on the golf course

So many lovely trees

We loved the light and dark green colours in the mountains

Sunbeams break through the light feathery clouds

The mountains form the perfect backdrop

Another dam

And another lovely tree

House at the foot of the mountains

We also spotted quite a few antelope on the golf course. They allowed us to get quite close to them, before walking away to graze peacefully.

Antelopes on the golf course

They are definitely not on a golf outing

We just couldn’t get enough of the stunning views

Near the hotel we saw another herd of antelopes. This time it was springboks, which are one of the most beautiful smaller antelopes in nature.

Springboks

Springbok

Back at the hotel, we showered and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Afterwards we took a leisurely walk through the hotel’s garden. The garden is built in terraces which create very nice photo opportunities. This is probably also why many weddings have been held here over the years.

Terraced gardens

Beautiful door at building for weddings

Different building styles

Rooms at Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel

There are several areas where guests can relax. At the entrance of the hotel there is a lovely room with bookshelves where you can sit and read.

Relaxing areas at the hotel

Although we would have liked to do one of the hotel’s many hiking trails, it was just too hot for that. Instead, we took our towels to spend time at the pool.

Time to cool down at the hotel’s pool

We arranged a picnic basket at the hotel which they brought down to the pool for us. This included a bottle of sparkling wine which was perfect for the hot afternoon.

Picnic at the pool

In the late afternoon we decided to follow the ring road of the golf course again, but this time we drove it. We wanted to see how the golf course looked in the afternoon light … and it was still picture perfect.

Golf course in the late afternoon

Even the shades of green against the mountains looked different

Impala

Another view of the dam we saw earlier in the morning light

Morning or afternoon – the views remain stunning

Dinner was in the form of a ‘braai’ (barbecue) and the staff set tables outside where we could all relax while they prepared the food.

The chef busy with a ‘braai’

The chef prepared delicious salads and we had options of chicken, lamb and ‘boerewors’ (sausage). For me, however, the highlight was the dessert – traditional milk tart. It was delicious!

Wine for a warm summer evening

A real South African ‘braai’

Traditional milk tart

The next morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast for the last time in the dining room of the hotel before we drove back to East London.

Dining room

Waffles and fruit are always a good start to the day

And so are muesli and yoghurt

Hearty breakfast

Early morning view from the dining room

It was a wonderful stay and we just couldn’t get enough of the stunning views. We sincerely hope that people will support Katberg Mountain Resort & Hotel now that they have reopened. We wish them all the best for the future.