Navigate

gps

phone 036 438 6270
fax 086 518 7179
email
cell 083 701 5724

left corner left corner
Portuguese Flag German Page
Spanish Flag South African Page
left corner left corner

Connect With Us

Facebook Cavern You Tube

Drakensberg Resort - Find Us

GPS Co-ordinates

Enter these co-ordinates into your GPS / Sat-Nav:
28 Deg 38.087 minutes South
28 Deg 57.592 minutes East

Alternatively, consult the map below.

Directions from Johannesburg: Take the N3 South towards Durban, until Harrismith. From there take the N5 West towards Bethlehem for 4 km only. Turn left onto the R712 / R74 (Signposted towards Qwa-Qwa & Alternative Route to Durban) Travel for a further 8km only. Turn left following the R74 towards Bergville, and down the Oliviershoek pass. After 38km, the road levels out. Turn right towards the Northern 'Berg Resorts. After 6 km turn right again towards The Cavern, Alpine Heath and Hlalanathi. The Cavern is at the end of this 10km tarred road.

Northern Berg Map

Directions from Durban: Travel north on the N3 towards Johannesburg. After passing Estcourt Shell Ultra City, take the Ladysmith, Bergville and Northern 'Berg Resorts Offramp (R74). Turn left towards Winterton and Bergville. Travel through Winterton and 30km past Bergville. There, turn left towards Northern 'Berg Resorts. After 6 km turn right towards The Cavern, Alpine Heath and Hlalanathi. The Cavern is at the end of this 10km tarred road.

Alternative Route

Dear Guests,

Due to the roadworks near Harrismith, and after some comments from recent guests, we feel it is appropriate that we examine alternative routes between the N3 Harrismith and the Northern Drakensberg turn off at foot of Oliviershoek pass.

Note - for the 3 routes indicated below, the comparison is between the N3 off ramp at Harrismith, and the turn off into the Northern Drakensberg at the foot of the Oliviershoek pass. The rest of your journey is excluded.

Heading colours correspond to the route colour on the Google maps image attached.

Northern Berg Map
Click on image to enlarge

1.0 - Original Route

1.1 - Harrismith to Northern Berg turn-off on R74
Take N5 exit to Bethlehem
Travel 5km West toward Bethlehem (Bloemfontein)
Turn Left Towards Phuthaditjhaba
Travel 9.2 km
Turn Left and stop at roadworks
Travel 14km through the roadworks (there is a second stop)
Travel 18km to the foot of the pass
Turn Right to the Northern Berg

1.2 - Northern Berg to Harrismith
Arrive at R74 from Northern Berg
Turn Left
Travel 18km North
Stop for Roadworks
Travel 14km to T junction
Turn Right
Travel 9.2km to T junction
Turn Right
Travel 5km to the N3
Take glide on towards Johannesburg

1.3 Statistics
Total 46km
Average Speed 75kph while moving
Time 30 - 60 minutes (depends on the time waiting at the stops)

1.4 - Advantages
Tar (mostly)
Time probably still faster than the the alternates
If you are mentally prepared, then the stoppage is an advantage.

1.5 - Disadvantages
Long waits at the two stoppages are possible
 

2.0 - Alternative 1 - Dirt 

2.1 - To Northern Berg via some dirt
At Harrismith Take the N5 Exit (Bethlehem)
Travel 1.8 km West
At the 4 way stop, turn left (WilgePark)
Travel South 14.6 km
Turn Right
Travel South Westerly 10km to a T junction
Turn Left
Travel South for 7km to a T junction
Turn Left
Travel 16.2 km south down the Oliviershoek Pass
Turn Right to Northern Berg

2.2 - Getting Back to Harrismith on dirt
Arrive at R74 from Northern Berg
Turn Left (North)
Travel 16.2km
Turn Right (Kerkenberg)
Travel 7km North to the Side Junction,
Turn Right
Travel 10 km North Easterly to a T junction
Turn Left
Travel North 14.6km
At the 4 way stop, Turn Right
Travel 1.8km and take the Johannesburg on ramp onto the N3

2.3 - Statistics
Total 50km
Average Speed 60kph
Time +/- 50minutes

Note, I drove this in my Peugeot 307 (2 wheel drive hatchback) in a severe thunderstorm, and had no problems.

2.4 - Advantage
No Stoppage
Possible time saving if there are long stoppages on the original route

2.5 - Disadvantage
The time saved may be insignificant
Narrow dirt roads
Slow speeds
There are some small patches without cell phone coverage
 

3.0 - Route to Northern Berg - N3 via Bergville

3.1 - N3 to Bergville, back to Northern Berg
Drive on toward Ladysmith (N3)
After 53km follow the original N3 not the alternate route
After another 17km take the off ramp and turn right toward Bergville
Drive 33km to Bergville
Turn right toward Harrismith
Drive 30km to the Northern Berg turn off
Turn Left

3.2 northern Berg to Harrismith via Bergville and N3 toll
Arrive at R74 from Northern Berg
Turn Right to Bergville
Travel 30km
At Bergville turn left towards Ladysmith
Travel 33km
At N3 take left on ramp to Toll N3 North
Travel 17km
Pay Toll
N3 joins the alternate route from Ladysmith
Travel up Van Reenens Pass
After 53km arrive in Harrismith and continue your journey

3.3 - Statistics
Average Speed 105kph
Time 75 minutes
Distance 133km

3.3 - Advantage
No stoppage

3.4 - Disadvantages
Increased Cost (engine running longer)
Toll  R27.00
20 to 30 minutes longer journey
85km longer than original route

Conclusion,

During normal traffic, there is no advantage to the alternative routes. The time saving on the dirt road is not significant, and it is significantly longer to travel down Van Reenens pass on the N3. Add the toll and the increased cost of the car running longer, and it increases the journey cost.

However, should you decide to use the original route, make sure you are mentally prepared for the up to 30 minutes wait, or you will find the stoppage highly frustrating and will have the incorrect perception that the alternative routes are better. Have some nice music lined up or parents of young children could start playing a game in the car. Exercise caution if you decide to stretch your legs, there are some big trucks using the route.

During the coming long weekends, we do believe the congestion will add to the wait time, and under those conditions the alternatives may be a better bet.

Booking Form

Number of adults:         
Number of children:       Arrival

Departure
 
Accommodation



Preferences:



Preferred Bed:

Bath or Shower:

Request View:


Please select one option:

Booking
Enquiry Only

Special Request or Additional Info:

Please enter the red number displayed below.