lodge
Drakensburg Rest Camp Didima Unit

Drakensberg Rest Camps

Thatched chalets throughout some of the best mountain scenery in Africa
Drakensberg MountainsSouth Africa· 261 Rooms · £
bordering Lesotho in South Africa

Three Rest Camps with unique characteristics and spectacular vistas: Thendele Camp, Didima Camp and Giant’s Castle Camp.

Location
We have selected three rest camps in The Drakensberg Mountain Range, bordering Lesotho in South Africa. The Drakensberg is divided into the Northern Drakensberg, The Central Drakensberg and the Southern Drakensberg each with its own unique characteristics and spectacular vistas. The neighbouring regions include the Natal Midlands and the Battlefields.

Thendele Camp - The 94 chalets are all brick under thatch with views over the Amphitheatre in Northern Drakensburg. Royal Natal National Park has some of the best mountain scenery in Africa. The main feature is the world-famous Amphitheatre, a rock wall approximately that is approx. five km in length, and approx. 500m high. On top of the Amphitheatre is the Mont-aux-Sources peak where the Orange river begins its long journey to the Atlantic Ocean and Tugela river cascades down the face of the Amphitheatre, in the second highest waterfall in the world, on its way to the Indian ocean. Made up of Lower and Upper Camps, there is very little difference in the view between the two camps. The upper camp chalets are slightly larger. All are cool in summer and cosy in winter, the rooms have fire places for those cold winter nights.

There is no restaurant at Thendele, as all the accommodation is self-catering. There are nearby restaurants and hotels where you can dine though.

Didima camp at Central Drakensburg’s Cathedral Peak offers 78 rooms within 62 two-bed luxury chalets, 2 four-bed cabins, a two-bed honeymoon suite and a six-bed bungalow. Every one of the two-bed chalets are back to back and an inter-leading door allows the two chalets to be transformed into a four-bed family unit with fully equipped kitchen. 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 kitchen. All accommodation at Didima Camp has satellite television and a fireplace. The main lodge at Didima Camp provides a restaurant, bar, fireplace, lounge and a shop for food supplies and curios.

Giants Castle Game Reserve is home to the mighty eland as well as the rare bearded vulture and is situated within the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. Giants Castle camp with 89 rooms is positioned on a plateau overlooking the deep valleys running down from the face of the High Drakensberg. Although all accommodation at Giants Castle camp is equipped for self-catering, the Izimbali restaurant and bar provides guests with the option of fully catered meals in its warm and relaxed atmosphere. The shop is stocked with curios as well as a range of supplies commonly found useful. Most accommodation chalets have fantastic views over the mountain, however, some are in a quiet garden-like setting. The camp is made up of 37 two-bed chalets, all of which have en-suite facilities, a lounge and dining area, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. Each chalet has a fireplace and barbeque area. All linen and towels are provided. Unit #8 is known as 'Bride's Bush', and contains a double bed and a private setting with a view of the mountains, ideal as a honeymoon suite. There are also four chalets with three twin-bedrooms.

Rock Lodge at Giants Castle Camp is a tranquil, exclusive lodge nestled on the crest of the hill with a turf roof to mask its appearance from behind, with magnificent views of the slumbering giant and the great wall of the Drakensberg mountains. Rock Lodge sleeps 6 people in a blissful setting. There are three superb bedrooms all with luxurious en-suite bathrooms, the main bedroom being a magnificent honeymoon suite built into the side of a massive rock.

Activities
Highlight activities in the Drakensberg region are hiking the upper and lower reaches of the mountains, visiting Tugela Falls (the 2nd highest waterfall in the world), the walk to the top of the Amphitheatre via the chain ladders, the assent of the rhino horn, horse riding, fishing, the rock formations of Sehlabatebe, Bushman Rock, dinosaur footprints near Estcourt, a ton of arts and crafts, cheese makers, golfing, helicopter flips, mountain bike trails, microlighting and paragliding, restaurants, quad bikes, Zulu and Basutho cultural experiences, waterfalls and game reserves.

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Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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