Drakensberg Hike

Drakensberg Hiking Trip

  • Create your own private Drakensberg student hike
  • Minimum 12 students, maximum 24 students
  • R4800 per person

 

  What does this trip include?

  • 5-night Drakensberg guided hike: 4 nights camping & 1-night hard accommodation
  • All conservation fees and hiking permits
  • All meals will be provided: from supper the first night on arrival to the last morning breakfast.
  • Stoves & cooking gas (cooking in pairs) and cooking pots
  • Fully qualified mountain walking guide, with wilderness first aid level 3 training (equipped with first aid kit).
  • Your tent

 

  What does this trip not include?

  • Sleeping bags and backpacks are excluded from the price but can be rented at an additional cost. You need to bring your own sleeping bag (2-3 season for summer and 3 or 4 season for winter)
  • Transport to/from hike start/finish is excluded
  • This hike is self-supported (ie no porters provided)
  • Your own alcoholic drinks/extra snacks for in-between meals/filter coffee/energy drinks
  • Special dietary requirements (but may be included at an additional charge of R300 per person). Any and all special diets can be catered for with prior notice
  • Personal clothing and medication
  • Guide tip

 

  What does a normal trip look like?

Day 1: Arrive at the Monk’s Cowl campsite by latest 15:00. Meet your guide and there will be a kit check and rented gear will be distributed. Your guide will cover all detail of the hike with you, check on fitness levels, goals (and fears!) and discuss any medical issues as well as emergency procedures. You will be given a full safety briefing. Your guide will help you with pack planning and to ensure no unnecessary or unwanted items are taken along on the hike. All extra kit can be locked in the boot of your car in the safe car park. Stay the night in the campsite camping in tents and enjoy a potjie, prepared as a team effort. The car park access is right next to the campsite.    

Day 2: Monk’s Cowl Campsite to Shada Ridge

10 Km: Moderate

After a quick breakfast and final pack check, you are ready to go. The hike starts from the Monk’s Cowl campsite and starts with a steady zig-zag climb through the indigenous forests along the sandstone cliffs of the Eliot Formation. After emerging onto the summit plateau of the Little ‘Berg, we aim for contour path and use this mostly level trail to head south towards Shada. Total altitude gain today is 500m, most of which is in the first half when the legs are fresh.  

Day 3: Shada Ridge to Hlathikulu Nek

11 Km: Moderate to challenging

This day has a “big mountain” feeling. After leaving contour path we climb steadily and occasionally steeply into the Afro-alpine zone of the High ‘Berg, topping out at around 3000m. We follow a faint path between Monk’s Cowl and Cathkin Peak, with spectacular views (if the weather plays along), before descending to “sleep low” at 2300m. Total altitude gain today is around 700m, so at times the going may be tough. If the weather is inclement, we will change this day to stay out of the High ‘Berg.  

Day 4: Hlathikulu Nek to Stable Cave

10 Km: Easy to moderate

After the big climb of yesterday, today it will be a relieve to mostly contour and descend. This is not an anti-climax as the day has great views of the basalt towers and turrets above, and the rolling hills below.    

Day 5: Stable Cave to farmhouse in the valley

13 Km: Easy

From Stable Cave there is a steep zig-zag descent back through the sandstone cliffs before relaxing back into a steady descent to exit the Maloti Drakensberg Park. A quick walk through farmland and rural settlements brings us our end-point with a hot shower and warm bed awaiting. You will finish the hike and final eve with a braai. Braai packs, wood, charcoal and ice will be provided.  

Day 6: Depart after having coffee/tea & rusks. Opt for a cooked breakfast/brunch at any of the close by restaurants (not included). Departure latest 10:00.

 

If you feel like you want to go on the Drakensberg Hike in 2022, DO IT. We love questions, please ask them!

 

Check out our pre trip briefing document for more details about the Drakensberg Hike trip.

Click here to download our Drakensberg Hike Trip pre trip briefing