Qwantani
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Qwantani
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Welcome to Qwantani, a dog-friendly lakeside resort inside the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, set between Harrismith and Clarens in the Free State, with the Maluti and Drakensberg mountains on your doorstep. Stay in spacious self-catering chalets with private patios, braai facilities, fireplaces for cold evenings and sweeping dam views, all wrapped in fresh mountain air.

Head out onto Sterkfontein Dam, the third-largest dam in South Africa and rated its cleanest: 18.8 km of deep, clear water for fishing, cruising, kayaking and sailing. Ride an ATV into the hills, or unwind at the on-site La Vita Spa, with Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the galleries of Clarens an easy outing away. Back at the resort, the “Marshall” Eagle Restaurant serves hearty meals, and a Bon-A-Pet-Treat Menu for the dogs, with a swimming pool and daily family entertainment to round out the day.

Best of all? Qwantani sits almost exactly halfway between Johannesburg and Durban on the N3, about 3½ hours from Johannesburg and 4 hours from Durban. Don't just stop halfway. Stay.

Book your Free State escape at Qwantani today.

Golden retriever sprinting toward camera across sunlit lawn, tongue out and ears flapping, playful expression
Stone fire pit and lantern-lit picnic tables on a brick patio at sunset, guests dining with ocean view and white canopy tents at Qwantani.
Qwantani resort of red-roofed cottages nestled on green hills overlooking a calm blue lake, rocky foreground and panoramic hilltop view
Oval outdoor pool with sun loungers and white canopy umbrellas on manicured lawn, red-brick cottages and lake/mountain view.

Qwantani’s self-catering chalets rise above Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State, South Africa’s third-largest dam by water capacity, with sweeping views across open water and the Drakensberg foothills beyond. It’s a setting made for lake days, boating, fishing and time out on the water. Set within the nature reserve, 43 km from Harrismith and within easy reach of Clarens and Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Qwantani brings together lakeside adventure, mountain scenery and full resort facilities in one memorable escape.

Qwantani red-tiled cottages, pool, tennis courts and green lawns overlooking a calm lake and rolling hills.

Couples get quiet chalets, valley and dam views, sundowners on the patio and the La Vita Spa a short stroll away. Groups and multi-family holidays spread across neighbouring chalets within one resort, everyone together for braais and boat cruises, everyone with their own front door.

Families need room to roam, and Qwantani delivers: open lawns, secure grounds, a swimming pool, a jumping pillow, daily entertainment and the Fred First Kids Club, with self-catering chalets that make early starts and lazy afternoons equally easy. Add fishing on the dam, guided hikes to Bushman paintings and a junior quad track for the little ones, and every day plans itself.

Guided off-road UTV adventure across grassy hills, two muddy side-by-side vehicles with guests enjoying outdoor ride at Qwantani.

Few resorts combine a shoreline position on Sterkfontein Dam, the northern Drakensberg on the horizon, dog-friendly chalets and full resort facilities, restaurant, spa, pool and daily activities, in one place, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban. Bring your boat or jet ski and make the lake your playground, with days spent cruising Sterkfontein Dam, casting a line or chasing a little more adventure on the water.

Qwantani with red tile roofs overlooking a kidney-shaped pool, white parasols, lounge chairs and a rock waterfall garden.
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Stone fire pit and lantern-lit picnic tables on a brick patio at sunset, with guests dining and views over Sterkfontein Dam at Qwantani.
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Bush, Lake & Spa Retreat
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Wheels, Water & Wilderness
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Self-catering

Qwantani's dog-friendly, self-catering chalets sleep up to six, each with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a fireplace in the lounge and a private patio with braai facilities looking over the dam or gardens. Bring the whole family, four-legged members included, for a lakeside stay with breathtaking Sterkfontein Dam views.

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Bright lakeside room with wooden headboard, blue accents, towel swans on bed, patterned cushions, sliding glass doors to lawn

From fishing, kayaking and boat cruises on Sterkfontein Dam to ATV trips, quad biking, guided 4x4 trips and hikes to hidden caves and waterfalls, Qwantani keeps the whole family busy, with walking trails and dog-friendly spaces so your companion joins the adventure.

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Guided off-road UTV adventure across grassy hills, two muddy side-by-side vehicles with guests enjoying outdoor ride at Qwantani.

Take a break from self-catering at the “Marshall” Eagle Restaurant, on the banks of Sterkfontein Dam. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, light lunch or dinner with a view, while the Bon-A-Pet-Treat Menu keeps your dog's tail wagging too.

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Two young girls at a hotel restaurant table picking fries from a basket beside a burger plate; casual dining with wicker chairs and exposed brick wall

Situated on the banks of the Sterkfontein Dam, Qwantani is the perfect venue for a business conference, celebratory banquet, or country wedding near Harrismith. Ideal for small conferences and team-building getaways away from the city.

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Conference room set classroom-style with white linen tables, projector screen, flipchart, podium, bottled water and glasses at each place at Qwantani.

Awesome getaway vacation for the whole family with lots to do including swimming, sailing,fishing, hiking,game drives,etc. Well worth it!

Dion N

2026/08/16, Google

Our View was excellent, staff was very friendly and accommodating It was such a peaceful and relaxed location place was clean and Brenda the lady whom entertained the kids and the hikes was such an amazing and friendly person.

Bharti

2026/08/19, Booking.com

We had a chilled and relaxed time, the place was amazing, the dam was spectacular Brenda the lady who entertained the kids and did the hikes was just such a sport and so wonderful.

Bharti S

2026/08/20, GuestRevu

Lovely cosy accommodation we stayed right on the lake . Stayed only a night as an in-between rest stop but will most definitely be back for a longer stay. Staff very pleasant. Accommodation clean 👌

Vishan R

2026/08/30, Google

Qwantani Berg and Bush Resort sits on the banks of Sterkfontein Dam, 43 km from Harrismith in the Free State, about 3½ hours from Johannesburg and 4 hours from Durban. Spa retreat, fishing weekend, dog-friendly break or full family holiday: it's all here, overlooking the water.

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