Drakensberg

Destination

5 Days

Duration

710

Physicality

14-60

Age recommendations

Cultural Drakensberg Hike over 5 days

If you are looking for an incredible and secluded hike in the Drakensberg then the Mnweni hike is a must!! The tour not only includes some hiking in one of the most beautiful areas on the Drakensberg, but includes a smattering of a unique cultural experience as well.

The night before the hike is spent in a traditional Zulu village at the base of the Mnweni Pass situated about 40km from the town of Bergville. You will get to live like a local!! You will sleep like a Zulu. You will eat like a Zulu. This unique and interactive experience will add to the overall experience of your trek in these majestic mountains known as the ‘Barrier of Spears’ by the local inhabitants.

As for the hike itself, you will get to spend 3 days and 2 nights hiking and camping in the mountains. The route ascends the Mnweni Pass to the escarpment that separates South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. We will camp at Ledgers Cave which is situated on the escarpment between the Rockeries Pass and Mnweni. Our descend takes us down the spectacular Rockeries Pass and back to the Mnweni Cultural Centre where we started 3 days before. The modus operandi on our Drakensberg hikes is to start hiking as early as possible in order to arrive at camp by about 15H00. This allows time for hikers to recover and build up energy for the following day. Our average speed on a typical Drakensberg hike is between 1.5km/h and 4km/h depending on the terrain and gradient.

Drakensberg hike with a cultural flavour!

*Tour price FROM R4800.00

Drakensberg FAQ

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Our tours begin and end in Johannesburg

(SELF DRIVE OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

Day 1

Travel day. Our scheduled trekking tour of the Drakensberg starts at 08H00. You will be met by your guide, load up the vehicle and take the 5 hour drive down to the Mnweni Cultural Village. Upon arrival, we meet the locals who will take us to our humble dwellings for the night. The rest of the day is all yours. We will have a pre hike briefing followed by a traditional Zulu dinner cooked by one of the village “Gogo’s (grandmother in Zulu). We end the night with some incredible drumming around a fire.

Day 2

After breakfast at 07H30, we hike to the base of Mnweni Pass. The hike today is not too strenuous and we are looking at about 5 hours of hiking covering about 10km. We set up camp at the base of the Pass allowing us to be fresh for the ascent the following day. Once camp is set up, we have dinner and relax.

Day 3

After breakfast we start our ascent of the beautiful Mnweni Pass. The height gain today is just over 1000m and is basically straight up. Yes today is going to be tough, but we promise you the reward will be well worth the effort. This part of the Drakensberg is rated by local hikers as one the most secluded and beautiful areas of the Drakensberg. Some of the main peaks to look out for include the Inner and Outer Mnweni Needles as well as Pinnacles. Our campsite will either be in Ledgers Cave or in the valley below it. As with most of our hiking tours, we follow the plan of leaving camp early and getting into camp early. That gives hikers the afternoon to recover for the following days hike.

Day 4

After breakfast, we begin our descent back into South Africa via the Rockeries Pass which is situated about 2km from our camp site. The route down is pretty steep. There is nothing technical about it and ropes are not needed, but it may still be slow going as we are going to drop nearly 1000m in altitude over about 3 km. We should be down by about 14H00. We then take the 1 hour drive through to the Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge where we spend the night. Accomodation will be in a basic twin sharing room

Day 5

After breakfast we take the 5 hour drive back to Johannesburg. Back by about 15H00.

Incredible Drakensberg Scenery

The Drakensberg is a world heritage site

Isolated hiking experience

Reach the escarpment that forms the border between South Africa and Lesotho

Authentic South African hiking experience

2 nights Cultural experience in a traditional Zulu Village

INCLUDED

Return transfers Johannesburg to Mnweni Cultural Village Return (unless self-drive option selected)
Hotel Pick Up
1 nights’ accommodation in a traditional Zulu village
Dinner at the village

1 nights’ accommodation in the Amphitheatre Backpackers

Dinner on the last night at the Backpacker
3 Nights’ accommodation in tented camps in Drakensberg
All climbing permits
Tents, sleeping mats, cooking and eating utensils
Breakfasts and dinners on the mountain
Basic first aid kit
Guide for the duration of the tour
Dedicated Trip Planner
Local Taxes

NOT INCLUDED

Flights and airport taxes
Hiking Equipment (can be hired)
Items of a personal nature
Visas for South Africa
Health requirements (if any)
Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
Snacks, personal medicine
Meals & drinks not specified

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Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 2 reviews

David john

April 17, 2017

One of the most scenic hikes i have ever been on. The hike lasted 3 days and 2 nights covering 42km of sheer awesomeness. Our guide was incredible and made our hike something to remember forever. I reckon this is the best hike in the drakensberg.