Aloe Cottage

Accommodation Description

Highbourne Cottages offers two cosy, off-grid self-catering cottages in the Champagne Valley, each sleeping up to four guests. Aloe Cottage and Protea Cottage share the same generous mountain setting but each has its own character, private entrance and outdoor braai area. Open-plan interiors with big windows keep the peaks of Cathkin and Monk’s Cowl centre stage while you cook, eat and relax. Fully equipped kitchens, slow-combustion fireplaces and deep baths make the cottages comfortable in every season. Loft sleeping areas with twin beds are ideal for children or friends, while queen-size beds downstairs ensure an easy retreat at the end of the day. Quality linen and unfussy décor keep things warm without feeling formal. Outside, decks and lawns flow into indigenous gardens filled with birdsong and clear night skies. A wonderfully relaxed base for hikers, families and couples who want real Drakensberg atmosphere with modern comforts and reliable solar power.

Setting Description

Highbourne Cottages sits along the R600 in Champagne Valley, moments from the Monks Cowl entrance to the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site. Here the drama of Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle fills the skyline, with trails beginning almost from the garden gate. Guests can follow classic routes such as Sterkspruit Falls, Nandi’s Falls and the Sphinx, or head to nearby Drakensberg Sun for forested paths to the Blue Grotto and Fern Forest. The wider valley offers canopy tours, horse riding, archery, quad biking, golf and scenic helicopter or hot-air balloon flights, while visits to Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre and the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School create standout memories. Cafés, craft shops and small eateries are a short drive away, yet the cottages still feel private and close to nature. Evenings bring starry skies, quiet mountains and the soft sound of the stream below, rounding off adventurous Drakensberg days and candlelit braais outside.

What We Love

-Off-grid, solar-powered cottages that keep the lights on and the water hot without any load-shedding worries.

-Big-screen views of Cathkin Peak and Monk’s Cowl from inside, on the decks and even from Aloe’s outdoor shower.

-Easy access to iconic Drakensberg hikes, adventure activities and the famous Drakensberg Boys Choir, yet peaceful nights at the cottage.

-Flexible layout that works well for couples, friends or small families who want a nature-rich escape without sacrificing comfort.