Welcome to Giant's Castle

A network of mapped trails spreads along the river, into the foothills or into the high ’Berg itself, providing endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, amateur botanists and hikers to immerse themselves in tranquil solitude. Spring is a particularly special time of the year, with many of the seasonal grassland plants in bloom. Here one can often see the indigenous agapanthus dusting the veld with a blue haze, or the yellow/orange bloom of the red-hot poker, amongst many others. The world renowned Giant’s Castle Main Caves Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of the vanished San people (or Bushmen) who lived in these valleys historically and left such a priceless legacy of rich rock art. The world-renowned Vulture Hide offers the bird-enthusiast and photographer a unique opportunity to view and photograph various raptors and vultures, such as the endangered bearded vulture, the Cape vulture and Verreaux’s eagle that occur in the region. The fully licenced Izimbali Restaurant, with its well-stocked bar, "The Overhang", provides buffet or a la certre meals which can be enjoyed on the deck overlooking the Bushman's River.

Main Caves Museum

• The Main Caves Museum is an easy 45 minutes walk from the resort.

• An entrance fee is levied and is payable at the reception office.

• A guide is in attendance to conduct tours around the museum.

• These tours start on the hour from 09:00 - 15:00 from the Main Caves Museum gate.

• No more than 20 visitors will be allowed at a time into the caves and museum.

Vulture Hide

• Visitors are requested to provide their own 4X4 vehicle to access the Vulture Hide.

• The hide is open all year round but advanced bookings are essential, please phone 033 845 1000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• The Vulture Hide is open year round.

• A maximum of six people can be accommodated and advance bookings are essential.

• Birds to be seen include bearded vulture, Cape vulture, black eagle, jackal buzzard and lanner falcon.

Trout Fishing

• There are several kilometres of trout waters available.

• Trout anglers must be in possession of a valid daily rod permit obtainable at the reception office.

• Only recognised fly fishing tackle is permitted.

Picnic

• A scenic picnic site is situated close to Giant’s Resort and offers all the usual amenities.

• Day visitors must leave the reserve before sunset.

Hiking

• A detailed map on Giant’s Castle may be purchased at the reception office.

• Overnight hiking routes extend deep into valleys and forests of the area and up onto the main escarpment, ensuring a pure wilderness experience with breathtaking views and scenery.

• Day hikes and walks consist of routes that are graded from easy to difficult.

• This map has a complete list of all the trails and walks visitors can enjoy.

• Some of them have gloriously refreshing rock pools that beg to be swum in, the crisp berg water will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.

• The weather can change suddenly and become very cold so hikers are advised to be well equipped.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The Mountain Rescue Register must to be completed before you begin your hike. Make sure you sign out again when you return.

• Ensure that you complete the Mountain Rescue Register correctly and in detail.

• It is very often the only information the rescue team has to go on if you have an accident or get lost.

• When you leave the park, it is essential that you record your return in the Mountain Rescue Register.

• Failure to do so wastes valuable time for managers during rescue operations.

• Your life may depend on this information.

• Winter 06:00 - 22:00 daily

• Summer 05:00 - 22:00 daily

The Reserve gates are kept locked after hours for the sake of safety – both that of you our guest and of the wildlife and environment.

Reception and Curio shop hours

• 08:00 - 16:30 daily

Arrival

• You are requested to check in no earlier than 14:00 on your day of arrival and bring your booking slip with you.

• If you are going to arrive after office hours, please phone ahead to let us know so that we can make arrangements. If you have arrived late, please check in the following morning, so that reception staff can register you.

• Should you wish to exit and re-enter the Resort during your stay, kindly make arrangements at the office.

Departure
We request you to check out by 10:00 on the day of your departure to afford us sufficient time to prepare chalets for our next guests. Please keep your checkout receipt safe as it will be requested from you when signing out at the main gate. Should you require to check out earlier than 08:00, please make arrangements a day before by at least 16:30. Please be advised that should you not vacate your unit by 10:00 you will be charged the additional full daily rate. On checkout, please return your key to the reception. It is advisable that you follow the tar roads when leaving Giant’s Castle as the dirt roads, especially the Draycott Road, is not safe.

House keeping
Your chalet will be cleaned at 10:00 every day – if you prefer not to have your unit cleaned, or wish to make alternate arrangements, please inform the office accordingly. Kindly report any concerns or problems you may have to reception.

Please ensure that your dishes are washed on the day of your departure and kindly report any missing items or breakages to the office. If you would like your dishes washed or laundry done, please liaise with your chalet attendant and pay them directly.

Do not disturb
If you do not wish to be disturbed, indicate this by hanging the "Do not disturb" sign on the outside of the door handle.

Fires and Fireplaces
We provide you with a complimentary pack of firewood on the first night and free anthracite (in a receptacle outside the chalet). Firewood, firelighters etc for fireplaces and Braais are available at the curio shop. In order for the chimney to draw the smoke upwards please ensure that the chimney flute is left open. Be aware of the danger of veld fires. Do not drop lighted matches or cigarette ends.

Complaints
Should you have concerns of any nature, we would like to be given an opportunity to address these at the earliest convenience, so please speak to the Duty Manager or Resort Manager at reception.

Maintenance
Should you find that something in your room does not work, please report it to the office or Duty Manager. The after hours number is 076 545 4520.

Water
Although our water is treated and purified, after heavy rain and storms it can turn brown for a while, unfortunately this is unavoidable, but please be assured, the water is always safe for consumption.

Petrol

Petrol is temporarily unavailable inside the reserve but can be obtained from the nearest towns which is Estcourt or Mooi River, both approximately 65km away from the Reserve.

Telephones
No public telephone is available in the reserve however Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom networks do connect. Please note MTN network does not work at all.

Baby Cots/ Baby Sitting
Baby cots are available upon request from Housekeeping. Should you require a baby sitter please make arrangements with Housekeeping as soon as possible and we will do our best to assist you.

Lost and Found
All lost and found items are kept in our locked storeroom for safekeeping. All lost property is kept for a period of six months.

Breakages
We request that you to report any breakages to reception.

Blankets
Additional blankets are stored in the wardrobes, should you require extras please contact Housekeeping through reception or the Duty Manager.

Porter service
Giant’s Castle Resort does not offer a porter service; however, the service is available by prior arrangement, this is especially relevant for tour groups. Should you therefore require the service, please make a timeous arrangement with reception.

Ice/Charcol/Wood
Ice, charcoal and wood are available for purchase at the curio shop.

Adaptors
The curio shop sells adaptors for your convenience.

Postal Service
Postage stamps are on sale in the curio shop. Please leave postage at reception which is cleared once a week.

Electricity
Due to weather, the supply of electricity is occasionally disrupted. Oil lamps are provided in the chalets.

Baboons
Problems are experienced with baboons invading chalets and cars searching for food. Please keep doors and windows closed at all times. Feeding baboons is strictly forbidden. Do bot leave food unattended. Please keep all the windows and doors to your chalet closed thereby avoiding temptation for the baboons. Displaying of fruit and food will tempt them to enter your chalet.

Feeding them results in the loss of their natural wariness of humans. They soon learn to take any food they can find and become bold, aggressive and dangerous and inevitably have to be destroyed. For your safety and theirs, ensure that your chalet is securely closed and that all food or edible refuse is kept out of sight.

Treat baboons with extreme caution, DO NOT threaten them in any way and DO NOT FEED THEM .