Drakensberg Hiking and Camping Fees 2026/2027

Planning a day hike, a weekend in a cave or a few nights camping in the Drakensberg? Here are the main Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife fees for 2026/2027, brought together in one quick guide.

Valid from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. This summary covers Ezemvelo’s Drakensberg reserves and is based on its Fees & Charges brochure. Published prices include the community levy and may change.

Drakensberg day-entry fees

For a day visit, the same conservation fees are listed for Bushman’s Nek, Cobham, Didima, Garden Castle, Giant’s Castle, Highmoor, Injisuthi, Kamberg, Lotheni, Monks Cowl, Royal Natal, uMkhomazi and Vergelegen.

Bring your valid ID or passport to qualify for the South African/SADC category; otherwise the standard fee applies. Himeville is listed separately with no conservation fee.

Overnight hiking, caves and mountain huts

Sleeping in a cave or carrying your own tent into the mountains falls under overnight hiking. A designated campsite or a hut has its own tariff.

The Giant’s Cup figure is for one night in a trail hut, rather than the whole trail. Book sleeping caves and huts in advance through the relevant reserve or booking office. For children, confirm the applicable age category and any hut concession when booking.

Do overnight visitors pay day entry as well? The brochure says overnight visitors at these Drakensberg reserves do not pay the separate conservation fee. Do not automatically add a day-entry fee to every night of your hiking or accommodation booking.

Drakensberg camping fees

Campsite charges have a minimum booking amount and additional-person rates. The minimum is the starting total for the listed number of people; it is not an extra fee added to every camper’s rate.

Where two rates appear with a slash, they mean standard season / high season. Additional-adult and child amounts are per person per night. Ask for the total when booking a family, as minimum charges still apply.

*Injisuthi access: A published tariff does not confirm that flood-damaged access, campsites or trails are open. Read our Injisuthi and Marble Baths flood-damage update and confirm access before booking or travelling.

A few quick trip-budget examples

• A day hike for two South African/SADC adults and two children: R270 in conservation fees, with the required identification and qualifying child ages.
• Four adults on a two-night wilderness hike: R1,040 in overnight hiking fees.
• Two adults camping at Cobham for two nights: R380.
• Two adults camping at Mahai with electricity for two nights: R760 in standard season or R1,140 in high season, when the three-person minimum applies.

These examples cover the listed park charges only. Travel, food, guides, equipment and any separately booked activities are additional.

Other useful activity prices

For the Vulture Hide, obtain a group quotation rather than multiplying the supplement by the minimum group size: the brochure lists a separate base amount. Fishing permits apply to designated waters, with local bag limits and conditions.

Seasons, bookings and accommodation

The brochure applies high-season rates to public holidays and adjacent weekends. A Monday or Tuesday public holiday includes the preceding weekend; a Thursday or Friday holiday includes the following weekend. It also lists the summer school holiday from 11 December 2026 to 12 January 2027. Confirm the season used for your booking dates.

Chalet, cottage and lodge prices depend on the unit, minimum occupancy and season. The full brochure includes the options at Didima, Giant’s Castle, Injisuthi, Kamberg, Lotheni and Thendele; use those tables or a booking quotation for your chosen accommodation.

For accommodation enquiries, contact Ezemvelo Central Reservations on +27 (0)33 845 1000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Arrange cave bookings and reserve-specific activities with the relevant office.

These tariffs apply to Ezemvelo facilities. Mnweni, Witsieshoek and Sentinel access, Lesotho parks and private accommodation have separate charges.

Download the full 2026/2027 Ezemvelo tariff brochure

Choose your starting point in our Drakensberg region guides, or browse Drakensberg hikes to plan your route.