Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions form part of every reservation made with Berghouse & Cottages (Pty) Ltd. By confirming a reservation, making payment, or occupying the property, guests acknowledge that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
1. Reservations
1.1 A reservation is only confirmed once the required deposit has been received and written confirmation has been issued by Berghouse & Cottages.
1.2 Reservations not secured within the period specified on the quotation or invoice may be cancelled without further notice.
1.3 Reservations are not transferable to another person without the prior written consent of management.
1.4 Any request to amend a reservation, including changes to dates, guest numbers or accommodation type, is subject to availability and management approval.
1.5 Although every effort will be made to allocate the cottage selected at the time of booking, Berghouse & Cottages reserves the right to allocate an equivalent or higher-category cottage where operational requirements make this necessary.
1.6 Rates are subject to change without notice until a reservation has been confirmed.
1.7 Berghouse & Cottages shall not be held responsible for errors or misunderstandings arising from reservations that have not been confirmed in writing.
2. Minimum Stay Policy
2.1 A minimum stay may apply over long weekends and public holidays.
2.2 Please enquire with our Reservations team to confirm the applicable minimum stay requirements before booking.
3. Payments
3.1 Payments must be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Credit or debit card payments may be accepted by prior arrangement.
3.2 The balance of the accommodation account must be paid no later than seven (7) days prior to arrival unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3.3 No cheques are accepted.
3.4 Any bank charges or card transaction fees incurred in processing payments or refunds remain the responsibility of the guest.
3.5 Management reserves the right not to refund card transaction fees where a reservation is cancelled or where funds are reversed to a credit card.
4. Cancellation Policy
4.1 A confirmed reservation constitutes a legally binding agreement.
4.2 Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.
4.3 Cancellations made more than thirty (30) days prior to arrival may qualify for a refund, subject to the accommodation being re-let for the cancelled period. Approved refunds will be less a 10% administration fee and any applicable bank or card transaction charges.
4.4 Cancellations made within thirty (30) days of arrival are non-refundable unless management, at its sole discretion, is able to re-let the accommodation.
4.5 No refunds will be made for:
- No-shows.
- Late arrivals.
- Early departures.
- Unused meals or services.
- Periods during which guests voluntarily leave the property.
4.6 Berghouse & Cottages reserves the right to recover any outstanding balance owing on cancelled reservations.
5. Check-in and Check-out
Check-in: From 14:00
Check-out: By 10:00
5.1 Early check-in or late departure is subject to prior approval and availability.
5.2 Guests arriving after 18:00 are requested to notify Reception in advance.
5.3 Late departures without prior approval may result in an additional night’s accommodation being charged.
6. Occupancy
6.1 Only the number of guests confirmed on the reservation may occupy the cottage.
6.2 Day visitors are not permitted without prior written approval from management.
6.3 Unauthorised visitors may result in:
- A minimum additional visitor charge of R1,300.00;
- The applicable Nature Reserve Levy (currently R40 per person);
- Immediate termination of the reservation without refund;
- Trespass proceedings where applicable.
7. Guest Conduct
Guests are expected to respect the peaceful environment enjoyed by all visitors.
7.1 Quiet hours apply between 22:00 and 07:00.
7.2 Excessive noise, disruptive behaviour, intoxication, abusive conduct or any activity that interferes with other guests’ enjoyment of the property will not be tolerated.
7.3 Management reserves the right to terminate any reservation immediately, without refund, where guests fail to comply with these Terms and Conditions or reasonable management instructions.
7.4 The right of admission is reserved.
8. Property Care
8.1 Guests are responsible for any loss, theft or damage to cottages, furniture, fittings, appliances, linen, towels or any other property resulting from their negligence or misuse.
8.2 Furniture may not be moved between cottages.
8.3 Electrical appliances other than personal grooming devices may not be used without prior approval.
8.4 Lost cottage keys or remote controls may incur replacement charges.
9. Smoking
Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside all cottages and buildings.
Guests may smoke only in designated outdoor areas while ensuring cigarette butts are safely extinguished and disposed of.
Any additional cleaning or repairs resulting from smoking inside cottages will be charged to the guest.
10. Fire Safety
The Drakensberg is a high fire-risk environment.
Guests agree to:
- Never leave fireplaces or braais unattended.
- Ensure all fires are completely extinguished before retiring.
- Comply with any fire restrictions imposed by management.
- Refrain from lighting fires during periods of extreme fire danger.
Guests may be held liable for damage arising from negligent fire use.
11. Hiking, Wildlife and Outdoor Activities
Berghouse & Cottages is situated within a natural mountain environment.
Guests acknowledge that they may encounter:
- Uneven terrain
- Wildlife
- Farm animals
- Snakes
- Insects
- Rivers and dams
- Rapidly changing weather conditions
All hiking, walking, swimming, fishing, horse riding and outdoor activities are undertaken entirely at the guest’s own risk.
Parents or guardians remain responsible for supervising children at all times.
Guests are encouraged to advise Reception before undertaking extended hikes.
12. Swimming Pools and Dams
All swimming pools and dams are used entirely at guests’ own risk.
No lifeguards are on duty.
Children and non-swimmers must be supervised at all times by an adult who is able to swim.
13. Vehicles
Vehicles and their contents are parked entirely at the owner’s risk.
Berghouse & Cottages accepts no responsibility for theft, damage or loss.
14. Pets
No pets are permitted on the property unless expressly approved by management or where required by law for registered service animals.
15. Drones and Motorbikes
To preserve the tranquillity of the property and protect wildlife:
- Recreational drones are prohibited unless prior written permission has been granted.
- Motorbikes, quad bikes and similar vehicles are prohibited on hiking trails, grasslands and around cottages.
16. Lost Property
Items left behind will be retained for one (1) month where practical.
Guests are responsible for arranging collection or courier services at their own expense.
Unclaimed items may be donated or disposed of after this period.
17. Force Majeure
Berghouse & Cottages shall not be liable for any delay, interruption or failure to perform its obligations arising from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, floods, fire, pandemics, government restrictions, civil unrest, strikes, utility failures, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Such events shall not automatically entitle guests to refunds.
18. Utilities
Occasional interruptions to electricity, water supply, internet or mobile communication may occur due to circumstances beyond management’s control.
These interruptions do not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund.
19. Liability
Guests use the property and all facilities entirely at their own risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, Berghouse & Cottages, its directors, employees and representatives shall not be liable for any loss, theft, injury, illness, death or damage to persons or property except where caused by proven gross negligence or willful misconduct.
20. Privacy
Personal information collected during the reservation process will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and used only for legitimate business purposes.
21. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute arising from these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.
Acceptance
By making payment, confirming a reservation or checking into Berghouse & Cottages, guests acknowledge that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.