Africa Safaris & Holidays

Experience true African Wilderness! Watch Bearded Vultures, drink from crystal clear streams - all with a pack on your back and a walking stick in your hand! This tour through the Drakensberg mountain range on the border to hte kingdom of Lesotho is a challenge for keen hikers and nature lovers. It also has many San Rock Art sites, hidden in caves. The Drakensberg range extends from the eastern Cape to the Northern Province, a distance of nearly 1000 km.The Zulu name for this mountain range is Ukhahlamba, which means Barrier of Spears.This range is most prominent south of the Royal Natal National Park (RNNP).  Further north it "flattens" due to the loss of its lava cover of basalt. 
 
The Drakensberg, south of the RNNP consists of an abrupt and continuous mountain wall.  The crest heights average 3000m with the highest point, a mountain called Thabana Ntlenyana, standing at 3482m. The wall, or the escarpment as it is more commonly known, is a series of peaks, turrets, columns and needles formed by years of weathering. Prominent structures along its course include; Mont aux Sources (3282m), Cleft Peak (3281m), Champagne Castle (3248m) and Giant's Castle (3314m).  Below the escarpment are the foothills of the Drakensberg known as the "Little Berg". They consist of a series of spurs projecting away from and at right angles to the escarpment. The Little Berg, which is capped with basalt, lies between 1830m and 2440m.

Our tour takes you from the Northern part of the Drakensberg to the Central Berg. It consists of 8 days hiking and 2 nights accommodation at a mountain lodge before and after the hike. The distance traveled per day is a little under 15 km. The terrain is very mountainous along the escarpment with lots of hills to ascend and descend. The altitude ranges between 2 900 m and 3 100 m. There are the odd exceptions where we climb above this limit such as Cleft Peak (3 284 m). The air is ‘thin', the temperatures do go below zero in the evenings, and the winds can get pretty strong, especially during the month of August. We could experience snow, sleet and/or rain.
 
This is a strenuous but most magnificent walk. The scenery is dramatic with mountain peaks and promontories along the entire route. There are two options available regarding the descent towards the Lower Berg, which are described below. Basecamp - the starting and end point to this tour - will be Inkosana Lodge in the Champagne Valley of the Central Drakensberg, which is situated about 7 km from the end point of the hike. We will meet there the night before and sleep over at the Lodge.

Option 1: Royal Natal NP to Monks Cowl via Organ Pipes Pass 

Day 1: Leaving Inkosana Lodge early to drive about 1,5 hours to the Royal Natal National Park, where we start hiking.
 
Day 1- 6: The first six days are spent on the escarpment between an altitude of 2900 m and 3100 m.  There are one or two higher peaks; maximum height is 3284 m at Cleft Peak. The distance along the escarpment is approximately 100 km. The route follows close to the steep cliffs of the escarpment, ensuring maximum opportunity to look at and photograph the magnificent views seen from the ridge. The second half of Day 6 is spent descending the Organ Pipe's Pass to the Little Berg. We overnight on the upper reaches of the Little Berg overlooking the Didima Gorge. This gorge is renowned for the numerous Rock Art Sites present in the area.

Day 7: We hike along the shoulder of the Didima Gorge and to the Umhlwazini River.

Day 8: This day involves a hike up and along the Umhlwazini River up through the indigenous forests of Hospital Spruit back to Monks Cowl, where the hike ends. We will then drive back to Inkosana Lodge, in time for a hearty meal after a hot shower and spend the rest of the day enjoying the mountain view from the indigenous garden or the swimming pool of the lodge.

Option 2: Royal Natal National Park to Monks Cowl via Gray's Pass

The same as Option 1 except that during the next two days we continue on the escarpment. On this route we will reach the highest peak in that area, Champagne Castle (3300 m), have a look at the watershed dividing the water of the streams between South Africa and Lesotho, before descending to the Lower Berg via Gray's Pass. The hike will end at the Monks Cowl entrance of the National Park. From there it's a short drive back to Inkosana Lodge, where we can relax and stay overnight.
 
Price includes - administrative fees, entry and servitude fees, trip logistics, all food and transfers to and from hike from Inkosana Lodge, Lodge accommodation including meals on the first and last nights.

What you have to bring - is your own rucksack, sleeping bag, hiking clothes and apart from that a team spirit and an open mind. You are required to share camp duties as well as the food and equipment load.

Safari Facts
 
Price 2012 EUR 680                                                                       
Group Size  min. of  6
Start  Central Drakensberg/Champagne Valley/South Africa
End in Central Drakensberg/Champagne Valley/South Africa
Tour  in english
Departure Dates 2012: please mail us with your travel plans