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Sani Valley Nature Lodges

4.0 star property
Family-friendly lodge in Himeville with free parking

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Escape to Sani Valley Nature Lodges, an upscale family-friendly haven near the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Enjoy game and wildlife viewing, horseback riding, or fishing on-site; then relax by the firepit or indulge in a rejuvenating hot stone massage at this lodge with free WiFi and amenities like a garden playground.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Spa
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Rainbow Chalet

Rainbow Chalet | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, individually decorated

Rainbow Chalet

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Fireplace
Heating
Connecting rooms available
  • 300 sq m
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 King Beds OR 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bushman Lodge

Bushman Lodge | View from room

Bushman Lodge

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Fireplace
Private hot tub
Heating
  • 200 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Sunset Lodge

Sunset Lodge | Exterior

Sunset Lodge

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Fireplace
Heating
Connecting rooms available
  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Early Mist Chalet

Early Mist Chalet | View from room

Early Mist Chalet

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Fireplace
Private hot tub
Air conditioning
  • 110 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Lakeside Chalet

Lakeside Chalet | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, individually decorated

Lakeside Chalet

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Fireplace
Private hot tub
Heating
  • 120 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds OR 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Map
Sani Pass Road, Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal, 3256

What's nearby

  • Maloti-Drakensberg Park - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Mkhomazi Wilderness area - 4 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Garden Castle Caves Nature Reserve - 25 min drive - 14.8 miles
  • Underberg Country Club - 27 min drive - 16.3 miles
  • Underberg Studio - 28 min drive - 16.3 miles

Getting around

  • Pietermaritzburg (PZB) - 160 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Balam Coffee - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Premier Hotel Himeville Arms - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Stonehouse Cafe - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Cascata Country Restaurant - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪The Old Hatchery - ‬32 min drive

About this property

Sani Valley Nature Lodges

Upscale family-friendly lodge near Himeville Museum
Take advantage of game and wildlife viewing, a terrace, and a firepit at Sani Valley Nature Lodges. Active travelers can enjoy rowing/canoeing, fishing, and mountain biking at this lodge. Treat yourself to a deep-tissue massage or other spa services. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a garden and a playground.
Other perks at this lodge include:
  • Free self parking
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), an area shuttle, and babysitting (surcharge)
  • A gift shop, bicycle parking, and multilingual staff
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and boast comforts such as fireplaces and premium bedding, as well as thoughtful touches like laptop-friendly workspaces and separate sitting areas.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Highchairs, art supplies, and childcare services
  • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
  • Bathrooms with rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs
  • 42-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels and DVD players
  • Furnished balconies or patios, wardrobes/closets, and separate sitting areas

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Airport shuttle on request
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free secured self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: ZAR 130 for adults and ZAR 130 for children
  • Couples/private dining
  • Private picnics

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage
  • Fishing
  • Game viewing
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Library
  • Mountain biking
  • Playground
  • Rowing/canoeing

Family friendly

  • Art supplies
  • DVD player
  • High chair
  • In-room babysitting (surcharge)
  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room kitchen
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities
  • Living room
  • Playground
  • Separate in-room dining area

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • On a lake
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Hot stone massages
  • In-room massages
  • Sports massages

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2000
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with premium satellite channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Freezer
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Separate dining area
  • Stovetop
  • Tea bags/instant coffee
  • Toaster

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Electrical adapters
  • Fireplace
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Laptop workspace
  • Living room
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport; to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 5 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately ZAR 130 for adults and ZAR 130 for children

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

National rating

Quality Graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organization.

Property is also known as

Sani Valley Lodge Himeville
Sani Valley Himeville
Sani Valley
Sani Valley Lodge
Sani Valley Nature Lodges Lodge
Sani Valley Nature Lodges Himeville
Sani Valley Nature Lodges Lodge Himeville

Frequently asked questions

Is Sani Valley Nature Lodges pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Sani Valley Nature Lodges?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Sani Valley Nature Lodges?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is Sani Valley Nature Lodges located?

Located in the historical district, this family-friendly lodge is 8.9 mi (14.3 km) from Himeville Museum and 11.4 mi (18.4 km) from Garden Castle Caves Nature Reserve. Underberg Studio and Underberg Country Club are also within 16 mi (25 km).

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Sani Valley Nature Lodges Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

BEAUTIFUL PEACEFUL BREAK

Sani valley lodges are so beautifully located Drive to lodges so amazing over the dam wall . Seeing wildlife from ur chalet beautiful Beautiful setting . Just amazing being in nature Very peaceful and quiet Definitely will be back .
Sunrise
View from Chalet
Bench on mountain lookout point
View from dam wall
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is a small piece of heaven! Great service from all staff right from the very beginning. Before arrival - Comms were timely and accurate and helpful. The meals provided were great (especially the Oxtail stew! 😋) and delivered to your individual lodge. The situation of the lodge is beautiful - wherever you look the scenery transfixes you. Ideally placed for a trip over the Sani Pass and the ability to get close to nature with the resident game herds is second to none. Simply a superb place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Best Hotel We Stayed at in South Africa

This was by far the best hotel we stayed at in South Africa. The rainbow chalet was super nice with a spectacular view. The workers were very friendly and helpful. And the food, can't even say enough about the chef. Every meal was absolutely delicious, especially the chicken pie, and the best meal we had in South Africa.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maryann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is a really tranquil site. Best home cooked simple delicious food. Star gazing is a treat. What a special place
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

8/10 Good

varvara, Moscow

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good, breakfast is far. More fire lighters and candles are needed
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely stunning location, gorgeous chalet. Views either walking the estate, sitting on the deck or kayaking on the lake were fabulous.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lodge facilities were great. Loads of space for a family of 4, stunning views, great staff and a wonderful trip up the Sani Pass (with Roger of Sani Pass tours - highly recommended).
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

AniL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The trip was awesome. The facilities and the staff were amazing. Pinky, Chris, Londiwe and Sebelo were just awesome. Views are stunning.The one thing that took a bit of the shine off the stay was the cost of dinner and breakfast. It is certainly not value for money for the local yokels. The Sani pass is a must with breath taking views - warning though- it is not for the faint hearted.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Sani Pass tour

What an awesome place to unwind and relax, close to Sani Pass which we did the next day. Service / Dinner delivered to our room was simply great! Friendly staff, we will come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Arthur

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place hidden away from the world.

Amazing place, amazing people. You can look out on a lake with beautiful birds or on a farm area with Zebras, Blesbok and more.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

4/10 Poor

Monique , Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Disappointing experience with fabulous surrounding

We arrived at 7.30pm at the gate. We notified staff in advance that we won't make the 5.00pm chech-in cut off time. On arrival, the intercom didn't work since wi-fi and telecom signals are low to none. As reception is a 10 min drive from the gate, honking your horn won't help. Finally after 40 mins of franticly buzzing, it connected. The owner just said "shame, sorry" - a phrase he seemed to used for any situation where he dropped the ball. On arrival, the unit was clean and cosy. The next day we found our TV didn't work, there was no signal or landline to contact reception. The only way is to drive up to reception. During our stay we were told we could go hiking, they even leave a hiking stick in your room. We set off to the mountain, just to get trapped in thorn bushes and deep holes filled with water.. we dailed the 3 emergency numbers as framed on the wall in our unit but nobody picked up. It was late and we kept calling up to 7 times before the owner picked up saying "sorry, I don't pick up international numbers, could be sales calls"... He came to fetch us, with the usual "shame,sorry". We were never told of a restaurant on the property and the info pack doesn't mention it so we cooked all our meals ourselves, however, the ovens settings were all wiped off, you couldn't see the temperature or if it's grilling or cooking. I don't know why we never received any introduction to Sani Valley Lodge during our stay or why it took 2 days to address our TV not working...
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Wessel

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANDREW

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

H

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Martina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
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