The approaches to Goats Cave run via Lammergeier Cave or Thamathu Cave. The Thamathu approach follows a path for much of the way, while the Lammergeier approach includes substantial pathless terrain.
The Lammergeier route calls for good navigation skills and a detailed map. Goats Cave can be soiled by livestock, so carry suitable alternative shelter if planning to stay overnight.
Explore the Bushman’s Nek area: Read our Bushman’s Nek Nature Reserve guide for more walks, caves and mountain routes in this part of the southern Drakensberg.
GPS track
GPS Track Details
| Track length: |
9.63 km |
| Total ascent: |
898 m |
| Total descent: |
35 m |
Bushman's Nek Camp to Goats Cave via Thamathu cave (9.6km - 888m elevation gain)
Start at the Bushman's Nek Office, where you fill in the mountain register. You pass the South African border post and then cross the stream twice and turn right (if you go straight you are heading towards Tarn Cave and would cross the stream a third time) thus walking with Bushman's River on your right. To your right on the other side of the river you will see Bushman's Nek Hut as you walk along a slightly upward path.
After 300m where you turned right after the 2nd river crossing the path has 2 options, straight ahead which takes you to Bushman's Cave and left up the hill in front of you, this is your route, turn left and start up the hill. After climbing the 1st hill the path flattens out for a short breather, then up the next hill. The path is visible all the way as you wind up this hill on the left hand side. At the top you have now done 3.2km, the views start to show themselves all around you.
A nice flat section is next and then up the next hill. You are heading in a West / North West direction all the way from here until just before Thamathu cave. The gradient over this next hill is pretty similar to what you have already climbed. At 5.8km (you only have 1.1 km to go) the path again has two options, a short steep uphill (this path is not well defined) of about 150m uphill or to continue straight along the contours of the hill you are on. Both will get you to Thamathu cave.
Choosing to go left and up the hill now means that after this uphill the rest of the hike to the cave is along the contour path. Choosing to go straight at this point seems easier but your last 300m will then be uphill to the cave. The choice is yours.
After Thamathu cave you gently climb for 2.7km and then turn left (South West). You will see a contour path along the slope which will take you to Goats Cave, about 900 meters away. There are a couple goat paths above the proper path to Goats Cave. Next to you at Goats Cave is the top of Lammergeier Pass and looking West is Devils Knuckles. Looking in the same direction in the distance you may notice buildings on the flats after the valley, this is Sehlabathebe Lodge in Lesotho.
