Ruth & Bill Carte arrived in the Drakensberg mountains in 1941. Four generations later, their legacy continues: Three unique businesses are owned and managed by their five granddaughters. These thriving establishments are all different, yet each one provides rich experiences in extraordinary wilderness.

The Cavern is where families bond, friendships are forged and memories are made. A tucked-away romantic escape for couples, a retreat for quiet solitude, and a child-friendly resort with fun activities, it is fully catered with buffets and a set menu with choices. Standard and superior rooms are set in landscaped gardens where vibrant plants attract countless birds filling days with birdsong and nights with wild sounds of crickets, frogs and other friendly creatures. Superior suites with fireplaces and private patios overlook an ancient fern forest. This is a place to listen to forest streams, soak up the sun, rejuvenate at the Spa and rest in the deep peace of mountain wilderness.

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Sungubala Eco Camp is set on a secluded mountain farm overlooking the Sungubala Valley. A self-catering camp, it is ideal for nature lovers and families wanting to immerse themselves in hiking, mountain biking, fishing and bathing in crystal clear rivers and streams. The camp is geared for enchanting evenings around campfires under starlit skies. The hiker may discover The Silent Woman, an intriguing rock carving by 1950s’ artist and wanderer, William Chalmers. It is a sensitively designed camp, maximising privacy while remaining within easy reach of all necessary facilities.

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Montusi Mountain Lodge is a high-end, beautifully appointed lodge offering generous accommodation and fine cuisine. In this gentle ambience, guests remain within nature’s embrace, finding solace and peace in the whispers of calm and vast views, magnificent walking trails and time to read on cosy sofas at the fireside. Favourite hiking destinations are to the top of Montusi Mountain, Bushman Cave and Waterfall Cave. Swimming in clear streams and rockpools with nobody around for miles are highlights for summer. Romantic picnics overlooking undulating valleys, off-road drives into the quiet and wild corners of these mountains, and sunset horse rides offer a menu of choice to create indelible memories.

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Thanks to more than 80 years of the family’s commitment to removing invasive species, this gentle and fertile valley has been proclaimed a Nature Reserve. It lies alongside the Amphitheatre World Heritage Site, the Tugela Gorge and the Tugela Falls; the world’s highest waterfall!

Spanning 6,500 hectares, the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve (NDNR), of which The Cavern, Sungubala and Montusi are founding members, is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s newest proclaimed nature reserves and among the most significant conservation achievements in southern Africa in recent years. The NDNR creates a vital conservation corridor, linking the Royal Natal National Park with the Sterkfontein Reserve in the Free State, and plays a critical role in wildlife protection and landscape preservation.

Broadly, the purposes of the NDNR are to: 

• conserve animal species and natural habitats;
• enhance regional water security;
• protect the area’s rich cultural heritage; and
• contribute to socio-economic upliftment within the local community

Alongside conservation, the Cavern family has long been committed to community upliftment. In 2006, the Carte Collection consolidated its efforts with a primary focus on education through the Royal Drakensberg Education Trust (RDET). At RDET, we are dedicated to breaking the cycle of rural poverty by nurturing young minds, supporting teachers, and empowering parents. Through quality early childhood education, we help children build strong foundations for lifelong learning, giving them the confidence and opportunity to thrive.

Our impact:

• Children are better prepared for their next phase of education.
• Teachers are equipped with the skills to deliver meaningful learning, uplifting rural education standards.
• Communities begin to believe in the power of possibility.