Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse

Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Bergville Kwazulu Natal

CONTACT DETAILS

Central Reservations Office
Tel: 0861 276 237
Int. Tel: +27 51 924 0585
Fax: 086 684 1011

Bold use of colour throughout gives the place warmth and quirkiness. It works like a charm. It s definitely worth the detour if your on the Johannesburg - Durban run or anywhere in-between.

For hipcats, jetlags, gourmets, dipsomaniacs, the bossa nova and the boogie woogie. Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse is situated on the crest of the Oliviershoek pass, overlooking the majestic Northern Drakensburg. With a rustic splendour, this historical stone-house hosts nine en-suite rooms, stylishly and comfortably decorated.

About Us

Caterpillar Catfish on Oliviershoek Pass -1730m above sea level - is situated between the Sterkfontein dam and Seletwane Mountain - overlooking the majestic Northern and Central Drakensberg. (AA Highly Rated accommodation TGSA 3 star guesthouse.)

Our name is derived from all the thousands of caterpillars and catfish seen daily during the Summer months.

We have 3 large St Bernard dogs on the property, Called Ludwig, Luna and Babalu.

Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse is a place for people who enjoy amazing food, good laughter and fiesta feelings against a backdrop of ever – changing beauty.

History

This originial Windmill homestead on Oliviershoek Pass - - was built in 1936 by Otto Zunckel. Otto was part of the Berlin Missionary Society arriving in Africa in the 1850, to built the Emmaus Mission Station / Hospital.

Our staff compliment originate from the Amazizi tribe down in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg. The Drakensberg was once inhabited by the San people, also known as Bushmen. They have left us a legacy of their paintings on the sandstone cliffs and cave walls, depicting their way of life and the various animals and people they encountered. In due course, the Amazizi, a tribe of the Nguni race arrived, and occupied the river valleys and approaches to the Drakensberg mountains.

Food /Wine

The Cookhouse enjoys festive cuisine with an eccentric array of fresh ingredients, global tastes and experiences – never pretentious, but with a touch of drama. Guests can feel the ‘vibe’ from the kitchen and the staff’s camaraderie for food. Choose your own wines from our Grape Escape (Award won: Diners Club International: GOLD )

Caterpillar Catfish Cookhouse is situated on the crest of the Oliviershoek Pass (1730m), overlooking the majestic Northern Drakensberg. Restored to its original splendor, this house hosts seven non-smoking en-suite double/twin rooms with a rate including breakfast.

ATTRACTIONS - THINGS TO DO

Taste the magic skies, horse rides, trout fishing, mountain biking and paragliding against a backdrop of ever changing beauty.

The house is situated 20 minutes away from the Royal Natal National Park where one can do the various mountain hikes, walks, trout fishing, horse riding (Rugged Glen 036-4386422). The Witsieshoek Sentinel Park is an hour’s drive away. There one can climb the mighty Sentinel with it’s chain ladders to the top of the Tugela Falls – the second highest in the world (950m) on top of Mont aux Sources. Five major rivers have their sources above the escarpment, some flowing to the Indian Ocean, others, including South Africa's longest, the Orange River, flowing westwards for more than 2000kms to the Atlantic Ocean. It was in this area in 1878 that the last group of San (Bushmen) were seen. For hiking excursions, custom designed to individual needs, contact www.drakensbergventures.co.za

Sterkfontein Dam is situated in the very upper reaches of the Vaal Dam catchment on the Nuwejaarspruit, a few kilometres from the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment. It has a very small catchment area with negligible natural inflow with the result that it requires no spillway. The dam receives its water via the Tugela-Vaal Project which is a pumped-storage scheme involving the net transfer of up to 630 million m3 of water from KwaZulu-Natal. The water from KwaZulu-Natal is stored in Sterkfontein Dam and released to Vaal Dam via the Wilge River when needed. Due to the favourable storage and climatic characteristics of Sterkfontein Dam, it is beneficial to store water in the deep cool Sterkfontein Dam and only release water to the shallow Vaal Dam when needed. The evaporation losses from Sterkfontein Dam are approximately 35 million m3/a which represent approximately 10% of the losses that would be experienced from Vaal Dam for a similar volume. is pumped up from Kilburn Dam at a rate of 174m3/s by four 250MW pump/turbines into Driekloof Dam during period of low power demand. During period of peak demand, typically during the morning and early evening, the water is released from Driekloof Dam at a rate of 312 m3/s to generate up to 1 000 MW of power.

The dam has facilities for all your water sports. The Basotho cultural village and Loin Rock Game RanchDrakensberg Boy’s Choir (Dragons Peak) is 45 minutes away with concerts every Wednesday. Do not miss a trip to All Out Adventures for Flying / trapeze / Foofy slide / Bungee Bounce and the Gorge Swing (036 4386242). Visit DIDIMA Rock Art Centre (036 4881027) and Helicopter Flights @ Starlite (0825723949). Also Four Rivers Rafting (0837851693), Golf at Hlalanathi (036 4386308). For kite boarding right here on the dam, contact Jo @ Dolphin Dreams (0844711907 / 031 3033442).We have Mountain Bikes / Trails.

With spectacular views on the Drakensberg, we do cater for small weddings (max 30 guests/ minimum 2 night stay) and endeavor to host small uncomplicated weddings in the restaurant / garden. We are 1/2 way between Joburg and Durban. Great stop for all festive gatherings of friends and families.

Join Mxolisi is our Piano Bar. The bar has DSTV via a 107cm Plasma Screen for Sporting Events, as well as fun filled board games for the ‘indoor’ days.

Don’t forget Thandi’s Shop filled with locally made crafts and home mead sweets.
Every alternate Sunday André Michael plays his dazzling ‘Blues / Ballads’ Repertoire in the Gazebo, whilst guests sip Sangrias and devour the chef's specialities.
with its white lions is an hour’s drive away. The

SERVICES & FACILITIES

Room 2 = double with bath

Room 4= twin with shower

Room 5 Family room ,1 double and 2 single beds, shower

Room 6/7/9 = double with shower

Room 8 = double and 1 single, shower

Dinner is optional a la carte

RATES

We host 7 non-smoking en-suite rooms at the 2008 rate of R360.00 per person including breakfast.
Our single rate is R440.00 per person including breakfast.
Rates valid from July 2008 to June 2009..