3 Mar 2026

The Drakensberg’s Little Switzerland Resort goes all inclusive

Little Switzerland Resort, an affordable family-friendly resort and nestled at the foot of the Northern Drakensberg, has transitioned to a fully all-inclusive resort model, marking a strategic repositioning as it seeks to strengthen its appeal within South Africa’s domestic and regional tourism market.

What was once a tea garden in the early 1900s, Little Switzerland now offers a scenic, family-friendly mountain retreat that combines alpine-style hospitality with outdoor recreation and panoramic landscapes that are in high  demand among domestic travellers.

Gerhard van den Heever, General Manager at Dream Hotel & Resorts, Little Switzerland, says going all-inclusive reflects a change in what travellers want and expect from their holiday experiences.

“Cost transparency is central to the attractiveness of all-inclusive packages,” he says. “Guests increasingly favour holiday experiences where expenses are predictable and they are able to budget upfront for a beautiful experience for themselves and their families. This means they can fully enjoy their destination without the distraction of incremental costs.”

The all-inclusive package offering

Under the all-inclusive model, accommodation at Little Switzerland Resort now includes daily breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner as well as selected beverages served during designated hours. The offering also includes access to on-site leisure facilities and recreational activities, such as walking trails and mountain bikes for hire, mini golf, ziplining and obstacle courses, a driving range, go karting and fly fishing.

Families are also catered for through the Dream Xplorers Kids’ Club (for children aged four to 12), which offers daily themed activities including outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, treasure and bug hunts, guided kids’ walks and tennis games. Younger guests can also enjoy bonfire and marshmallow roasting evenings, outdoor movie nights with popcorn, fishing lessons at the resort’s pond and early kid-friendly dinner options, while babysitting services are available with advance booking.

Beyond daytime activities, the resort also offers extended horse-riding experiences and a lively programme of evening entertainment designed for both families and adults. Guests can enjoy sunset sundowners at scenic viewpoints such as The Cone or Rainbow Falls Ledge, cocktail-making sessions, nightly themed quizzes, outdoor movie nights with blankets and popcorn, live acoustic music on select evenings, stargazing experiences and karaoke.

Guests who prefer the flexibility of adding on activities to personalise their stay are also catered for, with spa treatments, premium drinks and certain specialised activities available as exclusive optional extras not included in the all-inclusive cost.

“The shift to the all-inclusive model represents an evolution in how we deliver value to our guests, allowing them to enjoy accessible, affordable holiday escapes that can be curated for their family’s or group’s unique preferences,” van den Heever adds. “With dining, entertainment and accommodation all sorted, they have the freedom to enjoy the natural berg surrounds without any hassle.”

An investment in the leisure travel market

For Dream Hotels & Resorts, the move signals continued investment in leisure properties and responsiveness to evolving consumer expectations. The group has framed the transition as part of a broader strategy to enhance experiential tourism and strengthen the domestic holiday market.

“The all-inclusive model is part of our long-term approach to evolving our properties in line with modern and evolving guest preferences and market dynamics,” says Nick Dickson, CEO and Group Custodian of Dream Hotels & Resorts. “There is a growing desire among local travellers for bundled core leisure experiences and simpler holiday structures, and our goal is to deliver this with greater value, while maintaining operational sustainability and a consistent level of service delivery.”

He adds that the all-inclusive repositioning of Little Switzerland Resort aims to strengthen its competitiveness as a flagship mountain retreat while supporting the broader tourism economy of KwaZulu-Natal.

All-inclusive packages at Little Switzerland Resort are available to book now via the resort’s website and reservation channels.