The Longmore Family
From spit braais to hotel keys — six kids, two hotels, one stubborn sense of optimism. The Longmores originated from Springs, where they ran 40 spit-braai machines and 4 ox braai machines. Their claim to fame was cooking for King Mswati II of Swaziland five times!...
Mountain Music Club Brings the Sound of Live Music to the Central Drakensberg
The Central Drakensberg is known for its remarkable landscapes, peaceful surroundings, and warm country hospitality. It is also home to a growing live music community that is adding even more charm to the region. One of the most heartening local success stories is...
Where stories hide – A Photographer’s secret to never running out of things to say
Sometime ago, I was asked a question that genuinely made me stop and think. It came through in an email from a Daily Birder reader while I was filling in for Adam during his recovery after his car accident, last year. The question was simple but so layered. They...
Scrumpy Jacks: A Sweet Stop near to The Nest Hotel
One of the pleasures of staying at The Nest Hotel is that some of the best experiences in the Champagne Valley are not a long drive away. They are right on our doorstep. Scrumpy Jacks is one of those rare places that feels instantly familiar, whether you are calling...
From Field to Tea Table – The Story Behind Champagne Valley Stone Ground Flour
There is something deeply comforting about bread still warm from the oven, scones served with morning tea, or a slice of cake enjoyed on a quiet terrace. At The Nest Hotel, we have always believed that the simplest pleasures are often the most memorable, especially...
The Osborn Trail in Champagne Valley – Waterfalls, Rock Art and Big Berg Views
One of the quiet joys of staying in the Champagne Valley is how quickly you can swap the pace of everyday life for open air, mountain silence, and scenery that feels untouched. The Osborn Trail (also commonly referred to as the Osborne Trail) is a wonderful nearby...
Valentine’s in the Drakensberg at The Nest Hotel – Cupid’s Special for February 2026
Some places invite you to slow down the moment you arrive. In the rolling foothills of the Drakensberg, The Nest Hotel offers that rare kind of peace that makes room for the simple things that matter most: unhurried breakfasts, long conversations, and quiet walks with...
Three Generations, One Heart: The Gwala Family at The Nest Spa at The Nest Hotel
There is something quietly special about returning to a place year after year and finding the same warm welcome waiting for you. At The Nest Hotel, that sense of familiarity is not accidental. It is built by people who care, people who take pride in their work, and...
Kenny and Dolly Country Night at The Nest Hotel – now featuring Ant Cawthorn-Blazeby
There is something timeless about a proper country evening in the Drakensberg. Warm hospitality, good food, familiar songs, and the kind of atmosphere that makes strangers feel like friends by the second chorus. On 28 February, The Nest Hotel welcomes a special live...
After the Rain – Why the Drakensberg Is at Its Best Right Now
There is something deeply reassuring about a good season of rain in the Drakensberg. It restores the land in the way only nature can, washing the mountains clean, filling the streams and dams, and bringing back that unmistakable green glow that makes the Berg feel...