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Tags: Overnight Hike

Bushman's Cave (via Slab Cave) Hike

Bushman's Cave (via Slab Cave) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This is a moderate hike of 9.6km to Bushmans Cave. You can either return the same day, overnight in the Cave or make this day 1 of a multi day hike in the Bushman's Nek area. The views in the valley along the way are stunning and once just above the Cave the southern escarpment views towards Rhino and Hodgson's peaks ...
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Bushman's Nek Pass Hike

Bushman's Nek Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Bushman's Nek Pass is suitable for hiking and horse riding. The hike from Bushamn's Nek camp to the top of the pass is 8km with a total elevation gain of 679m making this a moderatley difficult hike. The first half of the hike takes you past Cedric's Pool and is relatively flat, the next 3km are steep to the top o ...
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Category Hikes

A stunning 3 day hike. If you want a moderately easy hike, enjoy seeing Bushman Paintings want the luxury of a Hut on night 1 and enjoy caves as your accommodation on night 2 this is the hike for you. The sunrise from Lakes Cave is brilliant and the colours of a sunrise on the berg mountains are brilliant. The Hut ca ...
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Garden Castle to Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

Garden Castle to Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An difficult 10km hike which takes roughly 5 hours with a total uphill of 1 194m. An early start and the hike to the top and back can be done in a day, else take is easy and sleep in a cave or tent at the top overnight.
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Garden Castle to Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

Garden Castle to Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 377m. The cave is huge and offers excellent protection from bad weather. The last section on the way to the cave is up some wooden steps.There is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably. The video by Patrik Kjellgren @patttrici shows how bi ...
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Giant's Cup Trail Hike

Giant's Cup Trail Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Giants Cup trail is the only established trail in the Drakensberg. The hike is over 5 days (and 5 nights accommodation in the Drakensberg) and is 58.9km's in total. The first day is 12.8 km's and you stay in Pholela Hut. Day two is 8.8 km's and you stay in Mzimkhulwana Hut. Day 3 is 12 km's and you stay in Winterho ...
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Category Garden Castle

Two routes are possible, one via Lammergeier Cave or via Thamathu Cave. The route via Thamathu cave is recommended as a path can be followed the whole way. The hike via Lammergeier cave has no path for about half the hike and unless you know the area well and have a good map this route should not be attempted.
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Gxalingenwa Cave Circular Route

Gxalingenwa Cave Circular Route

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

12.5 km's (5 hours) via Pholela Hut on the way to Gxalingenwa Cave and 11.5 km (4 hours) return via Pinnacle Rock. The hike is good for bird watching and game viewing. It follows the Emerald Stream, past indigenous forest to a spectacular waterfall with pools suitable for swimming on the way back form the cave. The hi ...
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Gxalingenwa Cave via Pholela Shelter

Gxalingenwa Cave via Pholela Shelter

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

12.5 kms (5 hours) via Pholela Hut and an elevation gain of 530m. The hike via Pholela Cave follows day 1 of the giants cup trail in reverse for the first  7.25km's and then you turn left (continue straight) and follow Gxalingenwa River up the valley. The cave is a real cave with great views into the valley. It' ...
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Gxalingenwa Cave via Pinnacle Rock

Gxalingenwa Cave via Pinnacle Rock

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

11.5 km (4 hours) via Pinnacle Rock and an elevation gain of 432m The hike is good for bird watching and game viewing. It follows the Emerald Stream, past indigenous forest to a spectacular waterfall with pools suitable for swimming on the way back form the cave. The cave is a real cave with great views into the vall ...
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Jonathans Gate (via Bushman's Nek Pass) Hike

Jonathans Gate (via Bushman's Nek Pass) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Jonathan's Gate Pass is situated in the Southern Drakensberg, Bushman's Nek area. It was once an old Lesotho Border Post and active stock theft route. All that remains is five burnt down prefabricated buildings and an old desolate brick building.
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Knuckles Pass (North)

Knuckles Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Knuckles Pass (North) is located in the Bushman's Nek area. There is no visible trail.
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Category Bushmans Nek

The sunrise from Lakes Cave is brilliant and the colours of a sunrise on the berg mountains are brilliant. This 12km hike from Cobham will take 4 to 5 hours, the hikes starts off pretty flat  and get steeper after 6km's, the last 2km's after Nutcracker Cave being the steepest.  The total elevation gain is 49 ...
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Lammergeier Cave Hike

Lammergeier Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A strenuous 9.5km hike from Buskman's Nek Camp. A Map and knowledge of the area is necessary as no path exists in parts. The total elevation gain is 645 meters, no part of the hike is downhill. The cave could fit 50 people but 12 is the maximum allowed by Ezemvelo. A stream is below the cave all year and the sunrise i ...
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Lammergeier Pass Hike (incl Goats Cave)

Lammergeier Pass Hike (incl Goats Cave)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Bushman's Nek camp is a very strenuous 10.6 km hike. A Map and knowledge of the area is necessary as no path exists in parts. The total elevation gain is 859 meters, no part of the hike is downhill. At the top of the pass you will see Goats cave on your right.
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Category Hikes
Lotheni Camp to Hlathimbe South Pass

Lotheni Camp to Hlathimbe South Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A hike of 7 to 8 hours over 16 km's and 1 447m uphill. The hike begins at Lotheni Camp, follows the Ngodwini River and ascends up to the contour path. The Hlathimbe Pass itself is very steep, doing the hike to the top over 2 days is a good option.
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Category Lotheni
Lotheni Pass (South Fork - gully access)

Lotheni Pass (South Fork - gully access)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lotheni South Pass. The gully access is actually more prominent but the North Fork is the one indicated on maps. It is a known smuggling route and is an easier hike than the North Fork.
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Category Hikes
Lotheni Pass (South Fork)

Lotheni Pass (South Fork)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lotheni South Fork is a smuggling route with a trail. Lotheni South Fork is an easier hike than the North Fork.
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This is day 2 of the Giants Cup Trail hike. Its an easy hike of 8.6km to Mzimkulwana Hut. On the way you pass Bath Plug Cave which is a good spot for lunch. The Hut can be quite cold as in a valley near a river so do take some warm clothes along also.
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A 9.2km hike mostly uphill with a detour to Siphongweni Cave, the highlight of any trip to Cobham. The bushman paintings 100m from the Cave are some of the best you will ever see in the Drakensberg. After Siphongweni Cave you pass The Policeman, an often photographed feature of the Drakensberg. Lakes cave offers good ...
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Category Hikes
Ngwangwane Pass (Bushman's Pass)

Ngwangwane Pass (Bushman's Pass)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ngwangwane Pass is also known as Bushman's Pass has no trail but is a relatively easy and flat pass.
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Sani Pass

Sani Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sani Pass is a high mountain pass. The path is a steep gravel road. By law only 4x4 vehicles may drive this road. A difficult 8 hour hike (16 km's) The hike up the pass begins in the car park 5.5 km past the Sani Pass Hotel. It is long and steep. Passports are necessary at the top.
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Category Hikes

Tarn Cave is a great cave to stay overnight in the Bushman's Nek area. The hike is 8.9km's to the cave with an elevation gain of 661m along the way, a slow and easy pace and you will be there in around 4 hours.
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A circular 3 day hike in the Bushman's Nek area. Day 1 is a moderately severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 km's) This hike follows a well-defined path on the northern flank of the Thomathu Ridge. The cave faces north-east and sleeps up to 12 people. The cave is not very deep though and strong winds can be a problem. Day 2 hike to ...
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Category Hikes
Thamathu Cave Hike

Thamathu Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderately severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 km's) This hike follows a well-defined path on the northern flank of the Thomathu Ridge. The cave faces north-east and sleeps up to 12 people. The cave is not very deep though and strong winds can be a problem.
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Thamathu is a long pass up from Bushman's Nek up the ridge to the top of the escarpment. It is a relatively easy pass. The views on the way up and at the top are lovely. Along the way you pass Thamathu Cave, a good place to have a rest and take in the views before doing the final 3 km's.
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Category Hikes
uMkhomazi to Cypress Cave Hike

uMkhomazi to Cypress Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A hike of 2 hours (4 km's) with an initial uphill of around 180m in elevation, the rest of the hike is flat. This is one of the few short hikes in the area a small party can use the cave, which has running water nearby and sleeps six to eight people, depending on the weather.
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Category uMkhomazi
uMkhomazi to McKenzie's Cave Hike

uMkhomazi to McKenzie's Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The caves are situated in the uMhhomazi area about 5.8 km from the parking area. The hike is steep with a total climb of 688m but not long thus rated as moderate.  McKenzie’s caves can sleep 12 people.
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Category Hikes