South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains have a new 6,500-hectare nature reserve. The new Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve is working with communities and will preserve ancient rock art, vital grass...
From incredible landscapes unfolding beneath well-worn feet to seeking nature’s solace, hiking has a magnetism all its own. Hiking puts you front and centre in some of the world’s most stunning loc...
The Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS, also colloquially known as Drakies) is an internationally acclaimed school where boys are trained in the art of choral singing and performance. This unique,...
There are two recommended hiking clubs you can join. They are the Mountain Backpackers Club and the Mountain Club of SA - KZN
About the Mountain Backpackers Club
Who are we?
The Mou...
South Africa – When it comes to sunscreen, everyone has different views and preferences. With so many differing sun protection habits and opinions, how do you know which is the best sunscreen for y...
This occasional hiker enjoys walks of up to ten kilometres with a total elevation gain of around fifty meters but being married to a nimble mountain goat, I sometimes choose to adventure in the mou...
A much-needed addition to the Southern Drakensberg region, the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide is set to launch to the public on 19 February 2024. Created to support endangered Vulture conservation through a...
The Zulu cave hike from Monks cowl is quite a well-mixed bag for a two-day hike. My wife, Nellie, and I chose this hike for our new year “event” 2019/2020, and for a memory wake up/tester/equipment...
We just love visiting and sleeping in the Drakensberg caves, so why not plan a hike to see as many as possible over three days. Five friends agreed to go with on this adventure knowing we would be ...
On Saturday 21 September 2019 one of the shackles that bolts the bottom, right-hand chain ladder to the rocks on the Amphitheatre sheared off at the rockface and has compromised the structure of th...
A family and children-friendly guide to hiking the Drakensberg in South Africa. Experience the adventure of a lifetime with the whole family.
Whether you're a traveller or South African local, hik...
In search of some warmer weather away from the Drakensberg we have just completed a five day, 89 kilometre guided hike (Elevation gain/loss: 1789m / -1778m) from Port Edward to Mbotyi. It was an un...
A three day circular hike from Giant's Castle camp to Bannerman Hut on day one; 10km and 690m elevation gain. Day two is a steep hike up Bannerman Pass to Bannerman Cave; 5km and 980m elevation gai...
A 3 day circular hike starting at Injisuthi. Day 1 is an uphill 8km hike and 590m elevation gain to Lower Injisuhi Cave. Day 2 is a 6km hike with 320m elevation gain and 350 elevation loss to Marbl...
This hiking checklist highlights the ten essential items that every hiker should carry. Before you go on any hike, no matter how easy or short make sure your backpack has these ten essentials. When...
Going out there
Going on a mountain trip is always an unforgettable experience. I remember every summit I have stood on, and every multipitch I’ve made in my life. Being in the mountains is someth...
The Cathedral Peak Ridge is probably one of the most iconic ridges in the Drakensberg. With four different summits above 3000m, and a large collection of rock climbing routes – there is no shortage...
The Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve with its breathtaking vistas of sweeping grasslands on the lower reaches, to magnificent towering cliffs and waterfalls cascading for hundreds of metres makes this an...
Ensure a successful hiking trip each and every time be it a day hike or overnight hike by adopting these tried and tested tips and remember to always be prepared. It’s the Boy Scout motto, and it s...
I often say that the most beautiful part of the Drakensberg is the part you are in at the time of answering the question. The logic is simple – anything else is just a photo. Sadly, no photo will e...
A four day circular hike from Injisuthi camp to Centenary hut on day one. Then up Corner pass and overnight in Upper Injisuthi Cave on day two. Summit Mafadi on day three and hike down Leslie's pas...
Rather than being about a specific adventure, it is about a place that we hold very close to our hearts: South Africa's Drakensberg mountains. It’s possibly our favourite place in South Africa...
For many years Didima Nature Reserve has been my personal favourite region of the Drakensberg. With the Cathedral Peak ridge, the Column and the Pyramid, the Organ Pipes and the Didima Cutback - it...
Christeen and I have been taking South Africans and overseas visitors on day and multi-day trips to Lesotho as professional mountain guides since 2006, sometimes two or three times a week.
These n...
A stunning guided trail into this lesser known part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park. Discover San rock art, protea and tree ferns, indigenous forests, wild flower gardens and rare birds. Pass throug...
You have decided to want to go on a Hike in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, what do you do next?
After assisting many people who have asked questions for a hike they would like to do and now knowing ...
A four day hike from Cathedral Peak Hotel to Rolands Cave in May 2018. Day one is from the hotel past Ribbon falls and camping in tents below camel pass. Day two is up Organ Pipes Pass to Rolands C...
On Saturday, Carl and I went up Rhino S Route, in the Southern Drakensberg, South Africa. Rhino Peak is a 3056m peak, traditionally hiked up, but does include a few rock climbing routes. The S Rout...
A three day circular hike from Mnweni Cultural Village up Mnweni Pass and down Rockeries Pass of 38km's and 2164m elevation gain and loss.
Video by Roughing It With Ruth
Organ Pipes Pass is probably one of the most commonly used passes in the KZN Drakensberg. The name is derived from the very impressive wall of rock pinnacles near the top of the pass.
The ridge of...
When I was a child, we used to go to the Northern Drakensberg every couple of months. My parents would attend meetings and work-related activities, and my sibling and I would roam around the resort...
This past weekend a group of Treverton College boys, girls and teachers went to the pristine Mnweni area. We walked about 8km up into the Mnweni valley, above the Mnweni pools, where another set of...
A group of five pupils accompanied by three staff members - Travers Pellew; Derek Brown; and Craig Robinson - headed off to Injisuthi to do two passes that were new to every member of the grou...
A permit system is going to be implemented at Monk’s Cowl to solve the problem of illegal visitation at rock art sites and problems accompanying this.
For example, making fires inside shelters and...
Spirit of the Drakensberg takes the reader on an evocative journey through the mountains. The twelve chapters are based on the demarcated Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife areas - a unique approach t...
The Sentinel Peak Chain Ladders that are used to access the Amphitheatre route to Tugela Falls from Sentinel Car Park are going to be replaced with newly constructed ladders. This is happening beca...
If spectacular scenery and climbing a pass few people ever will is on your to do list, then this difficult hike is the one.
The pass is approached via the trail to Mnweni Pass. It is very easy to ...
Bannerman Pass was named after former British Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. It is said that, when viewed from the right angle, the cliffs just south of the pass resemble the profile ...
Old maps may refer to this as "Bushman's River Pass", as it was known in the 19th century. The exact date of the name change to "Langalibalele Pass" is uncertain but makes reference to the arrest o...
Route: Cobham to Mzimkulwana Hut and Lakes Cave Distance: 30 km (circular route) Duration: 14 hours (three days)
Day 1: From Cobham (North is Ndlovini Peak and to the right is Grandma Peak then Em...
A circular 10km hike with 820m elevation gain and loss. The climb to the Crack and The Mudslide Pass is steep but a chain ladder will help you over the more difficult sections. The descent is steep...
Route: Bushman's Nek to Thomathu Cave and Lammergeier Cave Distance: 35 km (circular route) Duration: 20 hours (three days)
Day 1 is a severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 kms) This hike follows a well-defined...
Route: Giants Castle to Bannerman Hut and up Bannerman Pass Distance: 35 km (circular route) Duration: 20 hours (3 days)
Day 1 is a long hike from the Giant's Camp northwest along a clear path, wi...
Route: Gudu Bush, Lookout Rock and Cascades (Circular route) Distance: 6.1 km Duration: 4 hours (day hike)
A 6.1km circular hike heading uphill to start and then through Gudu Bush where a small st...
A winter hike of the Drakensberg Gardens Rhino Horn Mashai pass that was not successful. Paul attempted to hike the Mashai pass in 10 hours return trip. That is 19 km (11 miles) with a elevation cl...
Route: Bushman's Nek to Thomathu Cave Distance: 7 km (each way) Duration: 5 hours (day hike)
A severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 kms) This hike follows a well-defined path on the northern flank of the Thoma...
Route: Highmoor to Giant's Viewpoint Distance: 4.5 km (9 km return) Duration: 1.5 hours each way (one day)
This is a pleasant walk that is pretty level with a path that is easy to follow. Cape Vul...
Route: Cobham to Gxalingenwa Cave Distance: 14,5 km (29 km return) Duration: 7 hours each way (two days)
Gxalingenwa Cave Hike is a relatively easy two-day hike in the Southern Drakensberg. On the...
Route: Injisuthi to Centenary Hut and Marble Baths Cave Distance: 30 km (circular route) Duration: 20 hours (3 days)
Day 1 is a severe 5/6 hrs hike (10 km) from Injasuti on the 1st day past Fergy'...
Route: Kamberg to Game Pass Shelter Distance: 3 km (6 km return) Duration: 1.5 hours each way (day hike)
The three-hour guided trail starts at the Kamberg Rock Art centre, where you can watch a 20...
Route: Giants Castle to Meander Hut (derelict) Distance: 7 km (14 km return) Duration: 2 hours each way (day hike)
Starting at the Hotel walk 100m along the road and then turn right up hill for ...
Route: Highmoor to Aasvoëlkrans Cave Distance: 4.5 km (9 km return) Duration: 2.5 hours each way (one day)
Aasvoëlkrans Cave is an easy day day hike in the Central Drakensberg. The cave is unsuita...
Route: Bushman's Nek to Halfway/Slab Cave (Fisherman's Cave) Distance: 5.25 km (10.5 km return) Duration: 2 hours each way (day hike)
The hike heads up Bushman's Valley alongside the Bushman's Riv...
Route: Cobham River Walk (Pholela River) Distance: 2 km (4 km return) Duration: 2 hours (day hike)
The trail leaves from the camp and follows the Pholela River. The trail offers views of the Giant...
Route: Monks Cowl to Sterkspruit Falls Distance: 1.5 km (3 km return) Duration: 1.5 hours (day hike)
This easy walk starts at the Monks Cowl entrance. Take the well-marked path down to the falls. ...
Route: Drakensberg Sun to Blue Grotto Pool (return via Barry's Grave) Distance: 3 km (6 km return) Duration: 3 hours (day hike)
This is a great 3-hour moderate walk through an indigenous forest on...
Route: Giants Castle River Walk Distance: 1.5 km (3 km return) Duration: 1 hour each way (day hike)
Follow the signposted path going past "Rock 75" and you will see the river walk signs just befor...
Route: Highmoor to Caracal Cave Distance: 5.3 km (10.6 km return) Duration: 2 hours each way (day hike)
Caracal Cave easily accommodates 8 people and is approximately 5.3km's from the Highmoor Res...
Route: Highmoor to Mount Lebanon Distance: 6 km (12 km return) Duration: 2 hours each way (day hike)
From the Highmoor Reserve car park head Northwest towards a gate and turn right at the sign. Af...
Route: Bushman's Nek to Cedric's Pool Distance: 4.5 km (9 km return) Duration: 2 hours each way (day hike)
The pool is apparently named after Cedric Biggs, a former leader of the Mountain Bac...
