The Drakensberg offers the most beautiful scenery imaginable, a challenge for adventure seekers, quiet for nature lovers, accommodation of a world-class standard, hikes for family and mountaineer and picture perfect views.
Information about the Maloti-Drakensberg
The trail to Game Pass Shelter is a two-and-a-half, to three-and-a-half hour guided walk, via the spiritually moving Waterfall Shelter. It is nothing short of a world-class experience in Khoisan rock art and living Zulu and San culture. Walks normally leave at 09h00, 11h00 and between 12h30. The walk is preceded by a ... Read More...
A long 9.5km hike with an elevation gain of 820m. The rewards along the way make this uphill climb well worth while. You pass Cascades, Lookout Rock, Cave Shelter, Mahai Cave and Mahai Falls on the way before reaching Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge at the top. Read More...
A fun family day outing to Cobham and a short easy walk along the Pholela river. The distance is your choosing, from 1km to 5km in total. As you wind your way along the river choose one of the many pools to have a swim in and have a picnic lunch. This is a great way to introduce your kids to the Drakensberg without it ... Read More...
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. Read More...
This is a pleasant walk that is pretty level with a path that is easy to follow. Cape Vultures, Blesbok and Eland are often seen and the Giant's Castle view is stunning on a clear day. Read More...
A moderate hike of 3.5km from Cathedral Peak Hotel with an elevation gain of 358m. The cave sleeps 6 and the floor is level and offers good protection from storms. Read More...
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 spending the majority of this hike on no path. On the first day starting at Bushman's Nek we walked 10km's with 850m eleva ... Read More...
The longest of all the hikes from Highmoor Camp rewarded with great views along the way. Mount Lebanon Peak can be viewed from the Highmoor Campsite. The peak is 2 153 m high. In the gallery you will see how the small Kamloops Dam had overflowed from a short downpour a little earlier, always keep an eye on the weather ... Read More...
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 offers stunning views of the Cathedral and Cathkin ridges. This route is commonly used for smuggling activities and is best a ... Read More...
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 ... Read More...
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' ... Read More...
Barker's Chalet is a short easy hike form Cathedral Peak Hotel oof 2.6km and 212m elevation. Read More...
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 ... Read More...
This is one of the Berg's most popular day hikes – for good reason. It's not too taxing, and it takes you through a big forest with yellowwood trees, and there are moss-covered rocks and tree trunks everywhere. You only realise how high you've climbed once you emerge from the forest. From the lookout you can see Cathk ... Read More...
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 of his face. Personally I have never been able to see it, but nonetheless, that's the origin. Risks: the pass can get iced ... Read More...
Tlanyaku Pass is a steep pass located in the Cathedral Peak area. It is situated between Ndedema Dome and the Sphinx. Read More...
A hike to the main caves to see Bushman Paintings and then along the Bushman's river for a picnic. The circular route is 5.3km's and can be made shorter if required. A great day out for all ages. Read More...
Starting at the Gorge car park in Royal Natal head roughly South up the hill. This is a steep hike of 558m elevation gain over 3.3km. The views at the top of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and the Sentinel are magnificent. Read More...
The long way to get to Bannerman Hut, 14km's, 609m uphill most of which is in the 1st half of the hike, its pretty flat thereafter. The views from Bannerman Hut and the relative luxury of the hut overnight will make the hike worth while. Read More...
Sherman's Cave can sleep to and is only 3.6km from Cathedral Peak Hotel, the hike to the cave is all uphill with a total elevation gain of 429m. Read More...
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 of the amaHlubi Chief Langalibalele at the top of this pass in 1873. Seven people died during this capture, five from the E ... Read More...
A great day hike that's easy and suitable for younger children. As you walk along the Bushman's Nek River and deeper into the valley you will get a great feeling of being outdoors. Some of the gallery pictures show the area when it had snowed. The snow was 3 foot deep near Halfway/Slab cave and no path could be found, ... Read More...
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. Read More...
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. Read More...
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. Read More...
The Maliba Circular Route is a 13km hike (8miles), starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, following the Upper Route to Black Pool, then climbing steadily up to 2626m above sea level. Thereafter you come down the fairly steep valley to the ventilation shaft, and then circle back to the lodge through gate #8 and the river po ... Read More...
Knuckles Pass (North) is located in the Bushman's Nek area. There is no visible trail. Read More...
A 12.5km hike from the Mnweni Cultural Centre with an elevation gain of 347m. Read More...
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. Read More...
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 ... Read More...
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. Read More...
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. Read More...
A relatively easy day hike for the family (probably 8 and above). A steep hill on the way to the hut but almost all downhill after. The views from the hut looking back towards Highmoor and into the valley below are worth while. Sadly the hut burnt down and is not in use at the moment. The first image in the gallery sh ... Read More...
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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. Read More...
The Litsumi Cave Trail in the Tsehlanyane National Park is an 8.4 km return trip (5.25miles), climbing from 1930m to 2520m above sea level. This is a hike leaving from the park entrance. There is parking next to the rangers’ offices at the gate. It is good practice to advise the rangers you will be hiking in the area. ... Read More...
Ngwangwane Pass is also known as Bushman's Pass has no trail but is a relatively easy and flat pass. Read More...
Lotheni South Fork is a smuggling route with a trail. Lotheni South Fork is an easier hike than the North Fork. Read More...
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. Read More...
The Waterfall Trail in the Tsehlanyane National Park is an 8.7 km return trip (5.4 miles), Starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, dropping to 1980m, then climbing steadily up to 2320m above sea level. This hike is strenuous as it involves pushing your way through dense vegetation up the valley leading to the falls. As you ... Read More...
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. Read More...
Maliba Upper Trail To Black Pool in the Tsehlanyane National Park is an easy 3.2km hike (2 miles), taking about 1 hours 20 minutes to Black Pool. A circular route returning via Lower trail should take about 2 hours 30 minutes. The upper trail starts from the junction about 140m north of the lodge veranda, accessed off ... Read More...
Maliba Lower Trail To Black Pool Grade in Tsehlanyane National Park is a 3.1km (1.9 miles), a gentle walk will take about 1 hour 20 minutes to Black Pool. This route follows the Hlotse River and is almost the same distance as the Upper route but has fewer climbs making it enjoyable for all age groups. The Lower trail ... Read More...
Starting at Mnweni Cultural Village this 9.7km hike is not very steep with a total elevation gain of only 255m. Read More...
Mafadi, at 3450m above sea level, is the highest peak in South Africa. A big dome several hundred of metres away from the edge escarpment, its ascent doesn’t require any technical skill but a high standard of physical fitness and gear. This is usually a 4-day/3-night hike with great caves and incredible views. A t ... Read More...
Fulton's Rock has a bushman painting of an elephant, indicating that at one time elephants may have wandered around this part of the Drakensberg. Highmoor camp to Fulton's rock is an easy hike to the rock and a bit more dfficult coming back to the camp up the steep hill you walked down earlier. A slow and steady pace ... Read More...
