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Area: Mnweni (Amangwane)

Amangwane Traditional Authority Area (Mnweni)

Amangwane Traditional Authority Area (Mnweni)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This area is commonly referred to as Mnweni. The Amangwane Traditional Authority Area includes Abhulesini, Kohkwane and Manzano. The Mnweni Cultural and Hiking Centre, just past to the junction of the Tonyelane and Mnweni Rivers, is the gateway to all visits and hikes in the Mnweni area. The Centre is community-owned ...
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Amphitheatre to Cathedral Peak Hike

Amphitheatre to Cathedral Peak Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This 5-day hike features some of the most dramatic scenery in the whole of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The route passes through the Amphitheatre, Mbundini, Mnweni, The Rockeries, The Saddle and The Cathedral range. The first day’s hike takes hikers up the chain-ladder to the top of the Amphitheatre. From here, th ...
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Black and Tan Wall

Black and Tan Wall

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Between Renqwa and Black and Tan Wall is the Renqwa Pass.
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Caboose Peak

Caboose Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Caboose Peak is located within the Mnweni area. Icidi Pass and Mbundini Pass are the closest passes.
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Category Peaks
ChiChi Bush Camp

ChiChi Bush Camp

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Chichi Bushcamp is located at the base of Pins Pass and offers a campsite area consisting of several isolated flat spots in the river bed gravel at the confluence of the Pins stream and Mnweni River.
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Corner Cave

Corner Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Corner Cave is in the Mnweni area. This cave can sleep sleep 8 people and offers good protection from bad weather. The cave has no official name and has thus been called Corner Cave. From a distance it looks like its positioned in a corner. North Peak is a further 2km up Nguza Pass. Rockeries pass is to the right after ...
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Cutback Highway

Cutback Highway

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Cutback Highway is located within the Mnweni area. Pins and Mweni pass are the closet passes.
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Cycad Cave

Cycad Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

In Mnweni and is the start of the Ifidi pass route.
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eZangomeni Shelter

eZangomeni Shelter

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

eZangomeni Shelter is in the Amangwane Traditional Authority Area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: A large rain-animal or a snake, with an antelope head, is accompanied by many white and red humans. What is of interest are the white dots and lines visible on the human bodies. It is believed that these marks represe ...
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False Ifidi Cave 1

False Ifidi Cave 1

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Not a good shelter, try find the true Ifidi Cave rather which is about 700m South East from this cave.
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Fangs Buttress

Fangs Buttress

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Quite possibly the most spectacular pass in the Mnweni area.
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Fangs Cave

Fangs Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Found near the top of fangs pass and to the left of Fangs Buttress looking North.
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Fangs Pass

Fangs Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

In most hikers' opinions Fangs Pass is definitely one of the most stunning passes in the Mnweni area and perhaps even in the entire Drakensberg. It is a difficult pass to undertake and should not be attempted by the inexperienced. It starts at a small waterfall where the Fangs tributary joins the Mbundini River.
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Five Star Cave

Five Star Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Found just before Mbundini Cave (50m lower down) heading towards Fangs and Mbundini pass in Mnweni.
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Five Star Cave Hike

Five Star Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From the Mnweni Cultural Centre this is a long hike of 14.5km and elevation gain of 546m. The views from near the cave of Fangs and Mbundini pass are stunning.
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Category Hikes
Grasscutter's Cave

Grasscutter's Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A large cave which is found just before the start of Icidi Pass.
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Icidi Back Ridge

Icidi Back Ridge

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Found in Mnweni in the Northern Drakensberg.
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Icidi Buttress

Icidi Buttress

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Icidi buttress is located in Mnweni. It lies next to the Icidi pass. 
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Icidi Cave

Icidi Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Icidi Cave is found 310m above Icidi pass towards Icidi Crown (North Easterly direction) along a long rock band.
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Icidi Crown

Icidi Crown

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Icidi Crown is not shown on the maps and is found near Icidi Cave.
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Icidi Pass

Icidi Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Icidi Pass is most likely the most difficult non-rock pass in the Drakensberg. It is very long, steep and boulder-choked. It should not be attempted by any inexperienced and unskilled hikers as it could become very dangerous.
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Icidi Pass Cave

Icidi Pass Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A small cave just before the top of Icidi Pass on the left side of the pass. You would be better of hiking about 360m further towards Icidi Cave itself.
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Icidi Pass Hike

Icidi Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An extreme round trip of a minimum of 3 days. The hike starts at the Isanlwana Police Post in the Mweni Valley and follows the Icidi River to the escarpment. It requires serious, potentially dangerous rock scrambling, and should only be attempted by experienced, competent mountaineers. In the Icidi Valley which is in u ...
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Ifidi Buttress

Ifidi Buttress

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ifidi Buttress is in the Mnweni area of the Northern Drakensberg.
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Category Peaks
Ifidi Cave

Ifidi Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The true Ifidi cave, not always found. This large cave can accommodate at least 6 people and offers reasonable shelter. There is enough space to put up a tent if needed. The views from the cave and morning sunrise make the effort to find this elusive cave well worth while.
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Ifidi Cave (Annex)

Ifidi Cave (Annex)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Not the true Ifidi cave but does offer shelter for about 4 people. The true Ifidi cave is about 280m further in a South Easterly direction.
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Ifidi Northern Pinacle

Ifidi Northern Pinacle

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Ifidi Northern Pinacle is in the Mnweni area.
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Ifidi Pass

Ifidi Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ifidi Pass is not often attempted due to its rocky summit. Along with Icidi Pass, it is infamous for being one of the most challenging passes in the Drakensberg. However, most would say that the reward is definitely worth the effort.
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Ifidi Pass Hike

Ifidi Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ifidi Valley, Mnweni. An extreme round trip of a minimum of 3 days. From the Isandlwana Police Post follow the Mnweni River to its junction with the Ifidi River. The route then follows the Ifidi River and up Ifidi Pass. This hike should be led only by competent mountaineers with able parties, as it requires rock climbi ...
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Ifidi Peak

Ifidi Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ifidi peak is a popular peak to climb, the last section up to the peak includes a lot of bundu bashing and rock hopping.
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Ifidi Southern Pinacle

Ifidi Southern Pinacle

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The climb up the Ifidi Southern Pinnacle consists of 3 chimneys, the summit is very for difficult beginners.
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Jubilee Cave

Jubilee Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Jubilee Cave is on the Mnewni area
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Kwamfazi Shelter

Kwamfazi Shelter

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Kwamfazi Shelter is in the Amangwane Traditional Authority Area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: Some researchers like Frans Prins believe that larger kaross-clad figures might represent AmaZizi people who adopted Bushman ways during times of drought and during the Mfecane-Difeqane. They are the only group of Bantu ...
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Lamb Skull Cave

Lamb Skull Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lamp Skull Cave is in the Mnweni area about 380m from the top of Pins Pass. The cave has a flat floor and offers reasonable protection from bad weather.
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Category Caves
Ledges Cave

Ledges Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ledges Cave offers magnificent views over Mnweni from the cave only for the brave, there is a huge drop below the cave, don't go to the edge. The 10m walk down to the cave is not to bad and anyone looking to try something different will enjoy this adventure. The path down to the cave can be difficult to find from the ...
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Madonna and her Worshippers

Madonna and her Worshippers

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Madonna and her Worshippers is in the Mnweni area.
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Category Peaks
Madonna Pass

Madonna Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From the gully at Madonna & Her Worshippers is Madonna Pass. 
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Manxome Cave

Manxome Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Manxome Cave is about 150m below Manxome pass in the Mnweni area.
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Manxome Pass

Manxome Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Manxome Pass is located in the Mnweni region. It is not marked as a pass on the official maps. It is a physically challenging pass to do as it is long and steep but it offers extraordinary views.
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Mbundini 2 Cave

Mbundini 2 Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Found just after Five Star Cave (50m further up) heading towards Fangs and Mbundini pass in Mnweni. Mbundini Cave is found near the top of the pass.
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Mbundini Abbey

Mbundini Abbey

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mbundini Abbey is in the Mnweni area.
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Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An extreme hike of 2 days (27 kms) Two steep passes in the Mnweni area leading to the top of the escarpment and enclosing Mbundini Abbey Peak. These passes are steep and dangerous and should not be attempted by the inexperienced.
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Mbundini Buttress

Mbundini Buttress

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mbundini Buttress is located in the Mnweni area.
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Mbundini Cave

Mbundini Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mbundini Cave is 300m below the Mbundini pass and about 80m in elevation below.
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Mbundini Pass

Mbundini Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mbundini Pass is difficult to navigate due to the lack of a path. It is a challenging climb.
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Mlambus Pools Hike

Mlambus Pools Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Starting at Mnweni Cultural Village this 9.7km hike is not very steep with a total elevation gain of only 255m.
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Category Hikes
Mnweni Buttress

Mnweni Buttress

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Mnweni Buttress is located in the Mnweni area.
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Mnweni Inner Needle

Mnweni Inner Needle

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mnweni Inner Needle is found in the Mnweni area. The inner needle is on the right.
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