Aspen Villa, the past, present, and our future

Read about how Aspen Villa Cottages came to be, and about the surrounding area. About the owners, and about their plans for a sustainable future at Aspen Villa cottages

How Aspen Villa Cottages came to be…

The Drakensberg Mountains are a majestic range that…

spans for over 1,000 kilometers from Eastern Cape Molteno through to Blyde Canyon Mpumalanga. Throughout the Drakensberg there is rich history, breathtaking sites, luscious forests, cascading waterfalls, and of course amazing vacation destinations. Aspen Villas was originally founded in the1960s by a Swiss electrician who was seeking a getaway for his church. When they arrived, they were immediately transported home by the mountain range and knew this was where they wanted to be. So the Walkers Peak stone cottage was built in a traditional Swiss fashion to accommodate their church gatherings. Fast forward to 2011 when a couple who was on vacation fell in love with the Berg and bought Aspen Villa the very day they first set foot on the property. From there they built the Rondavel and became full time residents. This brings us to 2023 when another newly wed couple, Wayne and Sereena, were in search of a property to call home. The Drakensberg had always been a second home for Wayne (a South African) and for Sereena (an American). Once again, it instantly felt like home to them. Aspen Villa was transferred to the current owners who have big plans for it. Sereena and Wayne plan to make it a self-sufficient, eco friendly, and exciting getaway for South Africans and foreigners alike. Come and join us on our journey and experience first hand the draw of the Drakensberg. 

Working with the land, not against it

Aspen Villa Cottages wants to become an example of how an amazing vacation, doesn’t mean a huge impact on the environment. By being intentional with our building, waste disposal, and guest experiences, we can make sure these mountains and ecosystem are here to enjoy for years to come

Current sustainable practices

  • No single use plastic in accommodations
  • Plastic bottles being collected for green house construction
  • Guest food scrape compost collection, and recycling
  • Water way friendly soaps and cleaning supplies being phased in
  • Food being locally sourced, or made onsite
  • Replacing invasive species with native plants
  • Rainwater collection and purification
  • Growing vegetables on site
  • Educational opportunities for locals and guest on self sufficiency
  • Implementing renewable energy sources on site
  • Upcycling materials for new attractions (swings, greenhouse, tree house, stargazing platform)

Future plans towards zero waste and sustainability

Conservation efforts on the valley

See how various organizations are working to conserve the world heritage sit and eco system right up the road from us!

Read More

About the owners

Coming from different professions and different countries, Wayne and Sereena are ready to take on this new adventure together

Sereena

Sereena is from the US, but has traveled to over 30 countries. She has experience in both marketing and event planning. Before moving to South Africa she built and lived in a camper van traveling the US alone. Her passions are sustainability, hiking, and homesteading.

Wayne

Wayne is a born and raised South African who has over fifteen years experience in hospitality from barman to director. He has spent endless hours hiking the Drakensberg since he as young. He loves doing anything outdoors and can name every peak in the Drakensberg Mountain range.

So how did these two meet?

Well the Drakensberg is a truly magical place. This is particularly true for the owners of Aspen Villa, Sereena and Wayne. Although this isn’t where they met, it was here where their story together really began. They met by chance while Sereena was on holiday from the US, and as corny as it sounds, it was love at first sight. They spent just a few days together before she had to fly to Capetown to catch her flight home. Wayne, being the gentleman he was, drove her to the Durban Airport and swore he would come visit her as soon as he could, but she was always welcome back. Sereena suppressed the butterflies in her stomach, nodded her thank you, and jumped on the plane, determined to avoid love and feelings at all costs. But the universe had other plans. This all was happening on New Years of 2020 heading to 2021. All of South Africa was in lockdown because of Covid and almost all flights coming from South Africa required a negative covid test. And it just so happens, Sereena’s covid test results were lost… She desperately was trying to find a new flight that did not require a test, and was finally able to secure a flight, but it was in a week. When she told this to Wayne, he refused to have her be alone for New Year’s and told her he would fly her back out to spend the week with him, her knight in shining armor. Masking her excitement to see Wayne again, Sereena accepted the offer offhandedly. As soon as they were reunited, it just felt natural to be with each other. Wayne decided to take Sereena to his favorite place, the one place where he always felt at home, the Drakensberg. While they were away, they grew closer and closer. When Sereena’s flight home was canceled, they sat staring at the mountains together and Wayne asked if she would consider staying maybe just a little longer. And with the magic of the Drakensberg surrounding them, Sereena said she would stay. So a two week holiday turned into a three month adventure which in turned into a 2 year relationship, and ultimately resulted in a wedding. They were ready to start a life together and it only seemed right that they look for a home where it all started. When they saw Aspen Villa up for sale, they knew it was the perfect place to call home. We hope you can join us, and let us show you just how amazing a stay in the Drakensberg can truly be.