TRIP DESCRIPTION
This 4-5 day trip doesn't go onto the Drakensberg escarpment. Instead it heads up to 2000m into the 'Little Berg' and follows the contour path - almost the whole trip is on-trail using well-defined and maintained paths. It's a great walk for people who are not keen on the extremely strenuous nature of a Drakensberg pass or perhaps are not equipped for very cold conditions.
We start off at Monk's Cowl forest station and climb up the steep path past the Sphinx to Blind Man's Corner at the base of Cathkin Peak before turning north. We then head for Hlatikulu Neck and overnight at the Mhlwazini River. The following day we continue north, finally turning east at the base of Eastman's Ridge, camping just outside the Didima Special Conservation Area (SCA). The third day passes through the Didima SCA before turning south on the Mhlwazine River and heaving for Stable Cave. On the last day we descend Jacob's Ladder and either head back across the Paardeplaat flats to Monk's Cowl or go down past the Grotto to exit at the Drakensberg Sun Hotel.
The fauna and flora of the Little Berg is far, far more diverse than that of the high berg. The bird-life is more prolific and the animals tend to be somewhat more relaxed - life here is a bit less of a struggle than on the escarpment.
Daily distances vary from 12 to 16 km with a maximum altitude gain for a single day of 600m and a maximum descent for a single day of 600m. Overnight spots are either wildeness camp-sites or Stable Cave itself. Temperatures here are warmer which makes summer hiking quite testing as day-time temperatures can reach 30°C although 25°C is more the norm.
The best time of year to undertake this trip is late in the Southern Hemisphere summer (March and April), but it can be done at any time of the year. Mid-summer gets rather hot and humid with afternoon temperatures reaching 30°C before the thunderstorms arrive.
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Area
KZN Drakensberg
Duration
4 Days, 3 night
Mean altitude
2000m
Difficulty
Moderate
Technical aspects
Summer river crossings
Accommodation
Tents & Cave
Style
Fully self sufficient
Recommended Kit
Mountain hiking
Cost per person
People in group:
1 : R 9,500
2 : R 5,500
3 : R 4,000
4+ : R 3,000
Note: Cost excludes transport or accommodation either side of the hike. If you wish we will make these arrangements for you.
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