Self-catering group accommodation, Monks Cowl — sleeps 14 | Ondini

Book the whole of Ondini: main house and cottage on a private forest estate 2 km from Monks Cowl, Champagne Valley. Sleeps 14, tennis court, fireplaces, trails.

Your own forest at the foot of Cathkin Peak

When you book Ondini, you book all of it: the main house, the cottage, eight hectares of indigenous forest, a tennis court and the view. There is no reception desk and no other group. It is the kind of place where the children disappear into the trees after breakfast and the adults finally finish a book.

The Whole of Ondini — up to 14 guests

The main house is a 1990s Berg family home built for gatherings: a big lounge with a fireplace, [a separate dining room seating x], a full kitchen and a covered patio facing the mountains. The cottage sits [x m] away in the garden, with its own open-plan living area, fireplace and view.

Room Beds Bathroom
Main house, bedroom 1 1 queen En-suite
Main house, bedroom 2 [beds] Shared bathroom A
Main house, bedroom 3 [beds] Shared bathroom A
Main house, bedroom 4 [beds] Shared bathroom B
Main house, bedroom 5 [beds] Shared bathroom B
Cottage [beds] En-suite

A plain note on bathrooms: one bedroom in the main house is en-suite and the cottage has its own bathroom; the other four main-house bedrooms share two bathrooms. Families and groups of friends rarely mind. If you need a bathroom per couple, ask us and we'll tell you honestly whether Ondini suits you.

The Cottage — for 2 to [4]

When the main house is free, the cottage can be booked on its own: an open-plan hideaway with a fireplace, a garden and the same view of Cathkin Peak. Ideal for a couple who want quiet, or a small family. Minimum 2 nights.

What's included

  • Bed linen and towels
  • Firewood for the fireplaces and braai [confirm: how much is included]
  • Daily housekeeping, 08:00–11:00
  • Wi-Fi throughout the main house: fine for video calls, not built for big downloads (which is rather the point)
  • Tennis court and forest trails
  • Backup power and water [confirm: solar, inverter, generator, borehole, tank?]
  • Secure parking for [x] cars

Good to know

  • Self-catering. Bring your own food, or ask us to arrange a braai pack, an arrival-night dinner or packed lunches for walks.
  • No pool. Swim in the mountain streams on the Sterkspruit Falls walk, or use the pool at Dragons Peak, 3 km away [confirm arrangement].
  • No pets, with regret: the forest is home to grey duiker and nesting birds.
  • Check-in from [14:00]; check-out by [10:00].
  • Minimum stay: 2 nights at weekends, 3–4 nights in peak season.

Rates

From R[x] per night for up to [10] guests, plus R[x] per extra person up to 14. Mid-week and longer stays cost less. [See full rates and booking terms →] (links to Rates & FAQ)

Book or ask

[Check availability] · [WhatsApp us]

Book direct and you get the best rate we offer anywhere, plus [a free braai pack / late check-out — choose one].

Room 1

Room 1

Passage library to Room 1

Bathroom 1

Room 1 – view

Room 1

Bathroom 2

Room 2 – 3/4 bed

Room 2 – 3/4 bed

Passage library and Room 2

Room 3

Room 3 – view

Passage to room 3

Room 3 – king bed/twins

Room 4 – view

Room 4

Room 5 – attic

Room 5

Garden and view

Tennis court

Main house and cottage

Tennis court up to house

View from patio

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Main house and cottage

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Cottage + bathroom

Cottage sink

Cottage – king bed / twins

Cottage – twin beds

Cottage – king bed

Cottage lounge and king bed

Cottage kitchen sink

Cottage cooking area

Cottage – beds

Ondini Guest House-003

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FOREST1

FOREST2

FOREST3

FOREST4

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Snow in the gardn

Garden in summr

Ondini Guest House

Stay
mEET
LEARN
Stay

Bring the family or a group of friends and have the whole place to yourselves: main house, cottage, tennis court, forest trails and fireplaces. Self-catering, sleeps 14

Meet

Take your team out of the office and up the mountain. A conference room for 16, a separate dining room, and every meal cooked for you.

Learn

Residential courses in a place built for thinking — ours, or yours.

Why Ondini

Exclusive

 One group at a time. No strangers at breakfast, no other cars in the drive.

Elevated

 The highest property on the R600, at about 1,500 m, looking straight at Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle.

Rooted

In 1995 this hillside was wattle, pine and bramble. Today it is a forest of more than 2,000 indigenous trees, with yellowwoods up to 20 m tall. We planted every one.

Close to everything

 Monks Cowl gate 2 km. Drakensberg Boys Choir 3 km. Champagne Castle Hotel 250 m.

 What guests say

David

South AfricaSouth Africa
Reviewed: 2026-07-10

Exceptional

Scored 10
The hosts were amazing from sending us information prior to the visit to on-site attention upon arrival and during our stay. The home is a little piece of heaven and the daily staff clwan up is superb. We will definitely be visiting Ondini as a family tradition always. Thank you to the hosts for such an amazing stay.

Casper

South AfricaSouth Africa
Reviewed: 2026-06-17

Wonderful

Scored 9.0
Fantastic view. Super friendly host and staff. Fire place with enough wood. Wonderful stay for a large family.

Shabalala

South AfricaSouth Africa
Reviewed: August 17, 2026

Very Good

Scored 8.0
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Read all our reviews

Find us

Ready to come up the mountain?

  • +27 82 881 0380
  • +27 82 881 0380
  • roger@rl.co.za
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