From a modest homestead in the mountains to a much-loved family resort, The Cavern has remained rooted in the philosophy of its founder:
Our work is to create beauty, to make the land more fertile, to make our living, to leave the world better than when we first came into it ~ Bill Carte, 1941
Today, the resort continues that legacy, welcoming generations of returning families who come for the mountains, the people, and the sense of belonging that has defined The Cavern for more than eight decades.
The story of The Cavern began in 1941, when Bill and Ruth Carte arrived in the Northern Drakensberg. Captivated by the beauty of the valley and the towering sandstone cliffs, they began welcoming a few visitors to share in the peace and splendour of this remarkable place.
Those early years were simple. Guests stayed in thatched rondavels, explored the mountains on foot, and gathered in the evenings for sundowners and conversation. After Bill’s passing in 1954, Ruth continued to nurture and grow The Cavern while raising their four children. In time, the next generation joined the journey, expanding the guest farm into the mountain resort it is today while remaining true to the founding values of family, connection, and respect for the land.
More than 80 years later, The Cavern remains proudly family-run by the third generation. While the resort has grown and evolved, the heart of the experience remains unchanged: a place where families reconnect, friendships are formed, and guests return year after year to share in the beauty of the mountains.
For many who visit, it has become what we lovingly call “The Resort of Many Happy Returns”.
The Great Outdoors
The Cavern Resort & Spa, named after the infamous Cannibal Cavern, is nestled high in the foothills of the northern berg in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site area. A place of captivating beauty, it is surrounded by majestic mountains, lush indigenous forests, and clear “berg streams. The Cavern is a unique setting where strangers become friends, couples reconnect, and families bond.
Our Specials
Berg Birding with David Weaver
- Fri 8 – Sun 10 May
R4 280pp sharing - Fri 5 – Sun 7 lune
R4 280pp sharing
Yoga Retreat with Helen Weaver
Fri 22 – Mon 25 May
R5 430pp sharing 3 nights
AWESOME AUTUMN
3 May to 8 June
Book for 3 nights over a weekend or 2 nights midweek at RI605 per person sharing per night
WINTER WARMER 4-NIGHTS
8-12 lune OR 20-24 luly OR 24-28 August
- Standard Room – R6 420pps
- Superior Room – R8 100pps
- Superior Suite – R9 270pps
Includes 4 nights’ accommodation, all meals & guided morning hikes
A complimentary 20-minute Hot Stone Massage & a bottle of wine on arrival
