Qambathi Mountain Lodge

If a stay at the stunning Qambathi Mountain Lodge in the beautiful Dragensberg (just south of Durban) is not on your travel list, it should be. The place is not easy to get to but it is so worth it. Just ask Tom Cruise….. not name dropping If you are looking to relax, get spoiled and being pampered, this is your place. The surroundings are breathtaking and transporting you into instant “calm” The horses are freely grassing around the lodge. But not just the horses but also the zebras. Yes, you heard me right. If you are looking also for an exceptional dining experience, you are at the right place. The chef of phenomenal and her 6 course dinner is award winning. I could barely make it past the 5 course but how could I turn down her fig malva pudding…. The breakfast was another fabulous dining experience…. The spa was also fabulous… The villas are bright, simple, but so comfortable. Nothing beats the view from your dreamy bed. Go for a hike or a stroll along the stream or go horseback riding or just relax by the pool on the deck and have Sia make you one of his famous cocktails. The resident cat “Miss Kitty” will visit with you and make you love her, even if you’re not a cat person like me…lol

I spent 2 nights here in late August 2025 in the Stable Room, apparently an upgrade, for a total of R10 200, DB&B. The lodge is clearly upmarket and very much above the usual berg resorts (exclusive, no children) - and at that price so it should be. The design of the lodge is very attractive, and the owners have clearly spent a lot of time and money on it. My room was enormous, with a huge and luxuriously fitted bathroom and a pleasant deck. Good linen and soaps etc. The lounge and dining areas are well appointed. There is a small pool on the deck too. The food was very good. Breakfasts very hearty and generous. Dinners, a 4-course affair, were well executed and very tasty. All in all, it was a lovely break and a pleasant surprise. The youthful and energetic staff are committed and obliging, Limdani, Siya and Ngobile especially. There are, however, a few rough edges which a lodge of this quality needs to sort out. I offer these criticisms in best possible spirit. The bed in the Stable room (in which Tom Cruise is once said to have slept) is a very low wooden platform which extends beyond the mattress for about 40 cm on either side. This makes it exceptionally uncomfortable getting in and out of bed. Behind the headboard is an unsightly dustbowl at least 50cm away from the wall. There are no plug points on either side of the bed, or even close by - which is now standard at any hotel, the bedside tables also perching precariously on the silly platform. Why it is necessary to have such a ridiculous contraption for a bed is beyond me, although the mattress itself is very good. Please hey rid of it! The westward view from the lodge and the rooms is directly onto a rather non-descipt hill, beyond a large patch of lawns and scrub. Kamberg lacks the views of dramatic peaks and valleys one gets in other parts of the berg. This is just an unfortunate feature of the area, as are the ubiquitous potholes and dongas in the roads leading to the lodge - all of which makes it very trying once one leaves the N3. The poverty of the view is not enhanced, in my opinion, by the peculiar hanging chairs on the decks of the rooms which are very ungainly to look at and very uncomfortable to sit in. A normal, comfortable set of armchairs would suffice. There is no need for these gimmicks. The staff, as charming and delightful d they are, made loud and disruptive conversation in the kitchen while i was eating, probably unaware of how the noise carried into the dining room. One really does not want to hear this constant racket over the carefully chosen background music! The pool filter makes a loud and continuous mechanical noise which materially distracts from the silence, peace and quiet of the lounge area and deck, and the overall serenity of the atmosphere. It should be set to run from late at night until early in the morning, not from the morning to the evening! Stephen and Nadia have definitely created a unique and lovely place but it requires some attent

Special, beautiful place with exceptional, personal service. Nothing is too much trouble for the amazing team. Oh and the superb food And well thought out wine cellar !!! A little piece of paradise and can’t wait to go back.

What a wonderful experience! From the moment we arrived and in fact even before ,the service was outstanding. Be sure to go hungry as the food is amazing! This a a real “Treasure” and we are thrilled with the experience. Siya is a star and we had some great chats with him. The Chefs were a delight. Also visit the Highmoor in the Maloti World Heritage site with a suitable vehicle. Magnificent! Thanks to all and keep up the good work! Highly recommended. Harold and Julie Barnard

We had a fantastic time at Qambathi Mountain Lodge this January. We stayed for 3 Nights.The staff is superb and the Location as well. Chef Cindy is very kind and provides a wonderful dinner. The horses are well trained and in good shape. We loved staying at the Lodge. We recommend to drive with a pick up or SUV - the public roads are in bad shape with lots of potholes.

We had a lovely stay here. Nice room with great views. We enjoyed the wine and the dinners. Great to see the zebras and impala so close. The staff were very friendly and hospitable. Arranged a great tour to the Sani Pass for us. So quiet and relaxing