Drakensberg Hiking Tours

It is no wonder that J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by the Drakensberg Mountains. Apart from the jagged stone-gilt edges of the mountains, the valley walls have a running line of gothic-like rock ‘towers’ looming portentously into the African sky. South Africa Adventures offers Drakensberg Hiking Tours for all ages.

The range extends for over 200km and forms a natural border sometimes over 1000m high between South Africa and the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The average height of the Drakensberg is 2900m with many peaks reaching over 3300m. The highest mountain in South Africa is called Mafadi (3451m), located in the Unjasuhti Valley of Kwazulu Natal. Other popular peaks include Cathedral Peak, Champagne Castle and of course the world renowned Amphitheatre where you can gaze in wonder at the  second highest waterfall in the world as it cascades over the escarpment into the valley 947m below.

Hiking in the Drakensberg can be done all year round.

The Drakensberg Mountains are abundant with waterfalls, rock pools, magical mountain streams, crisp pure mountain air and rolling hills that will stoke the fires of your soul. Hiking in the Drakensberg is truly a special experience. The many routes into the mountains are so remote that we literally have the mountains all to ourselves.

Depending on your level of fitness, skill and desire for isolated, primordial adventure, we offer a variety of guided hiking tours ranging from an easy 2 day hike up the Amphitheatre to the Tugela Falls to the challenging yet spectacular trek to the highest mountain in South Africa.

Hiking in the Drakensberg can be done all year round. It is all dependent on what you are able to handle. The winter months from May to August can get bitterly cold and snow is usually found on the higher parts of the escarpment. The summer months can get pretty hot with the chances of afternoon thunderstorms prevailing.

We have an absolute passion for the Barrier of Spears and many of our guides and founding members have been trekking in these mountains since they were little boys. We have spent thousands of hours exploring and hiking in these mystical spires of nature. In fact over the past 10 years we have guided over 200 hikes into all areas of the Drakensberg with trekkers from all walks of life

One of the appealing aspects of the incredible Drakensberg mountains is that they are still pristine, green and 100% natural.

As a South African, we are proud to be able to hike in these beautiful mountains and fortunate enough to be able to share our passion and diverse landscape to trekkers from all of world. Having grown up on the slopes of these magical mountains we have many stories to tell about the animals, the people who live there and surviving in a mountainous environment – all of which we want you to experience.

The most important thing on our tours is not only to show you some really incredible and beautiful peaks, but to ensure the environment is conserved and enhanced for the next generation of hikers.

 How do we do that? Our commitment to ensuring we operate in a sustainable way.

We have been actively involved in guided Drakensberg hikes since 2008, exploring and experiencing the best and worst these mountains have to offer. Because we believe in leaving a ‘low impact’ natural footprint, our groups have been kept small allowing us operate in unique areas.

We have a strict policy that follows the age old ethics of leave only footprints. We endeavour to ensure that when we leave a camping site there was little sign that we were even there. All litter is carried out of the mountains. All our soap used on the treks is biodegrable. Environmental awareness is key to preserving our delicate and wild mountain environment where even the ecosystem can be damaged even on foot

Why climb the Drakensburg Mountains with us?

Superior Safety standards

Qualified guides trained in First Aid

Guides are MDT accredited (South African Mountaineering Development & Training Trust) and Advanced Mountain Walking Leaders

Over 200 successful guided hikes into Drakensberg over the past 10 years

Intimate knowledge of the routes and environment

Direct access to our Drakensberg guides and experts

Fully catered hiking experience

Low climber to guide ratio. 1 guide for every 3 climbers

Our guides are active members of the Mountain Club of South Africa

Pre climb support in terms of preparation and advice

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If you are first time adventure junkie or a seasoned mountain man, we have got the adventure for you. Explore our many unique, active itineraries below that have been designed to take you to some truly spectacular places without forgetting to include the cultural interaction and physical challenge that is the perfect mix for an adventure holiday that will stick in your mind forever.

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