Zuurberg Mountain Village

Once a stagecoach post, Zuurberg Mountain Village is situated at the top of the historic Zuurberg Pass that was built in the 1850s as the main route between Gqeberha and the Karoo.

While SUVs and other vehicles have replaced horses as the preferred mode of transport through the pass, Zuurberg Mountain Village has retained its historic charm and the views over the valleys and mountains are no doubt as splendid as they were over 160 years ago.

Today the undulating, fynbos-covered landscape surrounding Zuurberg Mountain Village is part of the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest national park in South Africa, and one of the most popular safari destinations in the country. Comfortably accessible from Gqeberha via Paterson, and 20 km from the main camp at Addo, Zuurberg Mountain Village is an ideal base from which to explore the malaria-free reserve which covers 145 000 hectares across five distinct ecosystems and is home to over 600 elephants as well as all other members of the Big Five.

From open-vehicle game drives to walking trails and elephant interaction experiences, Addo offers many thrilling wildlife adventures that can be booked as part of a stay at Zuurberg Mountain Village. There’s also horse riding available nearby as well as mountain biking, hiking and birdwatching on the 160-hectare mountain top retreat.

After an action-packed day, Zuurberg Mountain Village is a welcome haven and serves up a mouth-watering spread of country cuisine in the Cycad restaurant or on the terrace on balmy summer nights, accompanied by a good bottle of wine selected from the wine room. Guests are invited to enjoy a nightcap in the Woodfields Bar, one of the last genuine English pubs in the country, before retiring for the evening either in the manor house or the new Edwardian style village cottages.

The Zuurberg Manor is the original part of the hotel dating back to 1861, and has four en suite bedrooms that have been fully renovated and tastefully decorated to reflect the hotel’s heritage. These rooms are spacious enough to accommodate families. Additional accommodation is offered at the Zuurberg Village, which comprises 26 individual cottages with front and back views across the valley and mountains. These charming cottages feature modern bathrooms with freestanding Victorian baths and outdoor showers.

Guests who want to enjoy a day of relaxation after their Addo explorations can lounge next to the secluded pool, play a game of tennis or be pampered at the spa, which offers a full range of therapies and has a sauna and spa bath.