Mt Gilboa – Karkloof

The route forms part of the well-known 3 Crains Trail run that usually takes place in February every year. The walk starts at Shawswood farm, on the Karkloof road, which has been in the same family for a number of generations and the old stables have been converted into rooms and the kitchen-dining room was the old workshop. There is a small entrance fee payable before heading off and remember to just tell Bundy or Wendy of your plans for the day. Meeting Bundy Shaw is an experience as he has a wealth of knowledge about the area and its history, You can spend hours listening to his stories.

The walk starts from here and you walk first through the plantation before entering the indigenous forest. The path is well marked but you can take a wrong turn if you don’t take notice of your surroundings but once you are in the forest the path is easy to follow. The path goes uphill for most of the way. Luckily there is enough place to have a rest. In the forest look out for the elusive Keysna Turacan (Lurrie), the Trugon and very shy Samango Monkey. You will hear the monkeys as they hide and jump from tree to tree. Before long you will be out of the forest and as you exit the forest you will be greeted by the first breath taking view of the day. On the top of the plateau you will reach a junction, left leads you on to the ridge that eventually takes you to the top of Mt Gilboa, and right will take you to the top of the Grey Mares Tail Falls.

The falls is an impressive 100m drop and when standing at the edge to admire the view, take care as one may miss a step which can lead to a tragedy. There is a path that leads around and from here you have an unobstructed view of the total drop of the falls, and after good rainfall the falls is a sight to be seen.

The river crossing is a good spot to have a break and a number of cups of tea have been brewed at this spot.

Walking to the top of Mt Gilboa will take you about 1 ½ to 2 hours and is worth the effort and on a clear day you will have a view over the Midlands to Pietermaritzburg and turning around will give you a view from Devils Tooth to past Giants Castle. It is said that on a clear night you can see the glow of Durban from the top.

The walk back follows the same route that you took up and when going down take care as it can be quite slippery especially in the rainy season. Remember to pack a rain jacket, something warm, sunblock, water, snacks and some lunch, and don’t forget your sun hat as the weather can be a bit temperamental at times.

The alternative of walking to the top is to walk to the bottom of the falls. The route starts and follows the same route and in the plantation there is a right turn that will follow the plantation and lead you into the forest. The path enters the forest and once you are in the forest a well maintained path will lead you all the way to the top. The going gets a bit tricky and at one section there is a small scramble but once on top you can just pick your way up and over the rocks. From here it gets difficult, care needs to be taken as the rocks are very slippery and the path gets very iffy. A short rope is a good idea for the more adventurous and when reaching the end of the road you will be greeted by a water spray that falls a 100m from the top. There is a small swimming hole under the falls, and the water is cold in winter or summer but worth the visit. Take care on returning and leave only your foot prints and carry all your trash out with you. This is not a nature reserve and it is up to us to maintain the environment and keep it pristine for others.

A beginners guide to hiking in the Drakensberg

Antbear Reservations Uncategorized January 7, 2020January 7, 2020 0 Comment

So. You have heard of this amazing place they call the Drakensberg Mountains and the Kwazulu Natal Midlands and have decided to want to experience a hike in these spectacular mountains. Here is what to do next. Its kind of a frequently asked questions with a few of our secret tips thrown in.

1: What sort of Drakensberg hike are you after?

Your options are many. You could base yourself at one or even a few of the lodges, bushcamps, camp sites and b&bs around and do day hiking trips. This is a great way to start for beginners, you dont need much in the way of kit and you have a comfortable bed to sleep in. Next up you could go for an overnight hike and sleep in a Drakensberg cave. If its you first time hiking in the Drakensberg my suggestion is to go with a guide. Its costs a little more but is very worth the money. For those of you that like your comfort there is even the option of a slack packing trail.

2: Where will you start from for your hike?

The Drakensberg is huge and is accessed through 17entrance points. These 17 entrance points are what make up the Northern, Central and Southern Drakensberg. When you read the information on any of these regions an overview of the region is given, the contact numbers, what accommodation and activities are available at the reserve and most importantly directions to get to the reserve. Your hike will in all likelihood start from one of these reserves.

Of the 17 regions, 13 are run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The entry fee (daily conservation fee) to these reserves is currently R45 per adult and R25 per child per day. If you are doing a day hike starting at any of these reserves then you simply arrive at the reserve on the day, pay the applicable entrance fee, park in the designated day parking area and go out and enjoy your hike.

Should you choose to stay in a campsite or chalet at these reserves then refer to the accommodation schedule of tariffs as published by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

The Mnweni (AmaZizi Traditional Authority Area) and AmaZizi Traditional Authority Area are not part of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and forms part of a Community Conservation Area. The park entrance fee is R45 for adults. Camping at Mnweni Cultural & Hiking Centre is R90 per person and the chalets are R250 per person. Overnight hiking is R90 per person.

The Sehlabathebe National Park is in Lesotho

The entrance to Sentinal Car Park (the start of the Chain Ladder Hike) is run by Transfrontier Parks Destinations (TFPD) and administered by Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge. The first 4km’s of the 7km section of road after Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge to Sentinal Car Park is not in good condition and a 4×4 vehicle is advised.

3: Decide on your hike

Now that you have decided where to start, know the costs and how to get there you need to choose a hike. This may be a day hike or overnight hike. Overnight hikes would mean you will either stay in a tent you carry, in a cave or in one of the Huts.

If your hike includes staying in a cave choose a cave that can accommodate the size of your hiking party. Cave bookings are done directly with the reserve and not with Central Reservations. The cost of overnight hiking/accommodation paid to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for using a cave or your own tent is R70.00 per day.

For ideas on hikes view our directory listings of hikes showcasing lots of hikes that have mostly been added by our Drakensberg hiking community. We keep adding to this list so be sure to return and see what new hikes ideas are added. Alternatively use one of the many hiking books written. One such book is: Best Walks of the Drakensberg by David Bristow which covers most of the Maloti-Drakensberg and has short and long hike ideas with detailed directions.

4: Navigation

Please purchase a map (shown below) of the area published by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife before embarking on any of the hikes. The maps are usually available at the Reserve from where you will be hiking or at Ezemvelo head office in Pietermaritzburg.

Over the years we have used many different app’s and devices to assist navigation, especially in the high berg and also when in very misty conditions where you cannot see more that 10 metres in front of you. We have found using BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS to work extremely well on a cell phone. The app costs R159.99 and is worth the cost.

How to use the app is explained by the developer and one of the best things is you can pre download the map of the area you are hiking so no cell reception is required, the tracks and markers you will add manually to the app.

5: Mountain Rescue

When going on your hike you will fill in the Mountain Rescue Register (in case you get lost, someone hurts and ankle, etc). It is very important this is filled in accurately so that if you need to be found then MCSA knows where to start looking, the Drakensberg Mountains ahuge area..

In the event of a mountain rescue emergency it is best to try and contact the local KZN Wildlife ranger in the Drakensberg and report the matter to them first. If this is not possible, or if you are not in the Drakensberg, you must dial 0800 005133 and report that this is a “mountain rescue”. The operator will in turn contact one of the MCSA rescue organisers.

6: Safety

Overnight camping in potential problem areas should be avoided to minimise the chance of something going wrong and if near the potential problem areas sleeping in one of the caves down a pass is potentially a better alternative, caves at top of the passes in the potential problem areas should also be avoided.

7: Bushman Paintings – also a hike option

One of the Drakensberg’s greatest treasures is cultural. Some 40 000 individual rock paintings have been recorded at 600 different cave and overhang sites between Royal Natal and Bushman’s Neck. You may only visit caves that have rock art with an accredited guide that have been opened for the public. So if you are taking a guide on your hike ask if they are Amafa accredited.

8: Hiking Equipment

You will need comfortable hiking boots, a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, underwear, quick-drying pants or shorts, long-sleeve shirts, sun hat, socks, insulating jacket, nsulated pants, gloves, rainwear, sandals, gaiters, matches, lightweight cooking pots/pans, food-storage containers, resealable storage bags, trash bags, plates/bowls, mugs/cups, utensils, water container, canister stove or liquid fuel stove and a basic first aid kit.

9: Food

This can become a debate. I like to have proper food when I hike so carry things like tomatoes, onions, meat etc. But normally hiker go for the died options worrying about weight.

10: Enjoy your hike

Being as prepared as you can and knowing what to expect on your hike will allow you time to stop, enjoy the views, take some amazing pictures of the Drakensberg Mountains and enjoy your time with your fellow hikers.

Butterflies in the Drakensberg Mountains

Antbear Reservations Information January 2, 2020January 4, 2020 0 Comment

The Drakensberg and Natal Midlands are butterfly hotspots. In the Drakensberg, look out for small butterflies around midday. Because conditions are usually windy, they often fly low and find shelter in the grass. Larger, more conspicuous butterflies are found in the gardens of resorts. The best butterfly season is between November and June.

Leopards Lair Lodge near to Giants Castle offers butterfly tours. Like the beautiful and serene butterfly, our butterfly tour seeks to introduce visitors to the lush and peaceful Midlands countryside and Drakensberg foothills. Their butterfly tours are led by a local guide who is keen to share his extensive knowledge about local rarities like the Midlands Widow, Estcourt Blue, The King Blue and the Mooi River Opal which are endemic and only found within a few km radius. We also talk about our local communities, its people, and traditions. Visitors will have the opportunity to encounter and experience farm life at a comfortable pace, away from the usual tourist hotspots.

A common butterfly at the Drakensberg is the Garden Acraea. It is small, mostly dull orange with a few black spots, and with conspicuously transparent fore-wings. It flutters weakly around its favourite plant, Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach tree). This is where it lays its eggs, so the caterpillars have the right food. Nearly every plant-eating insect specialises on the single species that it can digest (all plants produce defensive chemicals to keep the ravening hordes at bay). Acraea caterpillars are small, black and hairy, and are the main food of cuckoos. The caterpillars hatch in such numbers that they can eat every leaf on the tree. With no food left they must pupate. Now the tree grows a new set of leaves, recovering completely.

Leopards Lair Lodge

Leopard’s Lair is a guest house located near the Drakensberg world heritage site near to Giant’s Castle and the Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands. The Buys family is the magic behind Leopard’s Lair. You aren’t just a guest, you’re family! Leopard’s Lair’s mission is to turn your stay into a memorable experience. This is a “real, working farm”, offering all kinds of agri tourism attractions. You can bottle feeding lambs. Meet Lallie the tame Eland. Collect eggs from the free range hens. Children delight in petting the animals and watching some of the farming activities. Life is lived at a gentler pace, take time to chat and to pick your own vegetables from their organic vegetable garden. Strawberries taste best eaten directly as you pick them.

Leopard’s Lair offers affordable family accommodation on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. Accommodation available for up to seven persons. Self Catering accommodation options available too.

Our two boys are our best ambassadors and can’t wait to share their fun and adventure with guests and maybe a little touch of naughtiness. Let your kids try their hand at fishing or canoeing. Outdoors is the best source for fun and your kids will be entertained for hours while you finish reading your book in peace.

The Midlands Meander, with its arts and crafts, breweries and cheese tasting starts right here. The Mandela Capture Site is also around the corner as is everything that the Drakensberg Mountains offer

Fordoun Hotel and Spa

Fordoun Hotel and Spa is an award winning five-star luxury boutique hotel and spa located near Nottingham Road in the scenic KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It is a family owned and managed destination with a history dating back to the 1800’s. Fordoun has a strong ethos on personalised hospitality and authenticity. The hotel comprises 22 luxurious, comfortable individually styled rooms and the relatively new addition self-catering farm village offering 9 fully equipped cottages, a chapel and a wedding/conference venue.

With panoramic views of the Drakensberg, in a tranquil country setting, the feeling of romance is almost tangible. Fordoun was created with the vision that every guest should leave feeling rejuvenated, find value in their Fordoun experience and change guests’ lives!

Fordoun is located in the rolling grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where the air is crystal-clear and smog and traffic are echoes of another lifestyle. Guests can enjoy gentle walks around the grounds, visit the herb garden of Dr Ndlovu, or ride on mountain bikes along designated routes through the Fordoun estate. Fly-fishing is available on three still water dams at Fordoun or in season; in the pristine waters of the nearby Bushman’s or Mooi River. Golf is available at the magnificent Bosch Hoek or Gowrie Farm courses which are both just a few minutes away.

We offer three categories of rooms namely: Luxury, Deluxe Dam Facing and the Superior Mountain View rooms offering panoramic views of the Drakensberg.

Fordoun Hotel encapsulates the grandeur of a bygone era while embracing all modern life’s creature comforts. With only 22 individually-styled bedrooms, attention to detail and personalised service reigns supreme.

Fordoun Spa is in the heart of Nottingham Road, Midlands Meander and boasts a team of experts that include skilled masseuses, Reiki and Bio-energy specialists, a traditional African Healer and highly trained aestheticians.

The spa features internationally acclaimed treatments such as the rasul, (a Turkish steam and clay treatment room), a saline Floatation pool, a indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy, and two couples treatment suites. One of the couple suites offers a hydrotherapy bath.

Treatments include:

Aromatherapy body and bath treatments, using exotic blends of essential oils to suit each customer’s needs
Totally unique African treatments which include the Indulgent African Earth Experience and the Inkomfe (African Potato) healing wraps
Hydrotherapy baths and showers
Various massages, including Deep Tissue massage, Ndukuduku massage, Swedish and Aromatherapy

Feet and hand treatments (Reflexology, Manicure & Pedicure)
Waxing
Lash and brow tinting
Body scrubs and spray tanning
A range of facials tailor made for every skin type
An array of high intensity slimming treatments that target all parts of the body
Pampering massages and treatments for our “Mums to be”

Hartford House

Peering through one teakwood door at Hartford House, you face the splendour of the 1800s. Opening another, the distant sounds of an ancient people at work lilt across the silent landscape, a country of great space, spectacular mountains and big skies. This place commands a headland between the world of traditional cultures and the gracious style of a bygone era.

Hartford is the resolution of all South African safaris, the journey’s exclamation point. A retreat from the hubbub where you make sense of a fast life and its senseless details, and where we learn to redress ourselves on a first name basis. There are too many luxury hotels in the world offering the same: a chocolate on the pillow, canned romance, and cuisine called “haut” because it’s spelled in French.

Hartford stands apart for its authenticity. Its architecture, views, dining, sounds and scents, its racehorses and its people are all exhilarating surprises, unique to this Zululand, this culture, to Africa.

Yes, you come here to be pampered, but at Hartford luxury is the journey, not the destination.

The truth is, Hartford just happened. A home, and a grand one at that, which grew into a hotel. A community looks to it as its watering hole, its nexus of entertainment, its fountain of gossip.

In so many ways, it’s gained and regained inspiration from the cultures it celebrates. It is life’s exception, a place at the same time comfortable beyond dreams, yet innocent of pretence.

Zulu Waters Horse Trails

Our horse riding provides incredible scenery and experiences, our rangers will take you through our reserve on a 3 hour ride where you will get up close and personal with our precious game including rhinos, buffalo, buck and many more

Giants Castle Vulture Hide experience

The Drakensberg is home to the endangered bearded vulture as well as the cape vulture. The Giants Castle region of the Drakensberg offers a very special attraction of its the birdlife. Although you could be fortunate to see antelopes such as jackal, eland, bushbuck, oribi, mountain reedbuck and grey rhebuck; baboons and dassies too. But some of the special attractions of region though, are the rare bearded and Cape vultures.

The Giants Castle Vulture Hide is very popular and is best booked in advance. This secluded hide, built high on a ridge with a spectacular view looking out onto the Drakensberg gives you the feeling of being all alone. Through conservation agreement between Leopards Lair and the local farmers in the Lowlands area these vultures are fed from the animals that die in the area. This means that there are often vultures that are viewable and this is a spectacular opportunity to photograph them.

The bearded vulture has a very different appearance from other vultures and they can easily be mistaken for an eagle. They do not have the bare necks distinctive of other vultures. The adult bearded vulture has a dark back and wings with rufous underparts and a distinctive dark beard that contrasts with its white face. The juvenile bearded vulture is chocolate brown with golden underparts but also has the distinctive dark beard.

Though a scavenger, 70% of their diet is made up of bone and bone marrow. At a carcass they wait for the Cape vultures, ravens, crows and the jackals to reduce the carcass to a skeleton. Then they move in. They swallow the small bones whole; they are able to digest them. To get to the marrow in the larger bones, they fly up high with the bones in their talons and drop them from a great height onto large rocks to break them open. Their aim is quite accurate too. Though, when they have young to feed they do need meat as well

Hot Air Ballooning SA

Experience exceptional hot air balloon rides from the finest venues in South Africa.

Chosen for their exquisite scenery, fine ballooning weather, accommodation options, tourism and interest value.

They include the majestic splendour of the Maluti mountain range in Clarens, the Golden sands of the Kalahari, Gauteng’s Cradle of Humankind, the Vaal river and Vredefort Dome meteorite impact site of Parys, the rolling hills of the Natal Midlands, Champagne Valley in the Majestic Drakensberg Mountains, the beautiful Tala Valley just 45 minutes from Durban, the Panorama of Sabie and Graaff Reinet’s valley of desolation.
Experience the Finest Ballooning that South Africa has to offer with loads of colour fun and in the company of highly experienced crew.

We have been flying these venues safely for more than 14 years. Our balloons, professional experience and hospitality will assure you of an exceptional experience.

Shaka Lodge

zulu waters - your own private game reserve

Zulu Waters Game Reserve offers you the exclusive use of its 3000 hectare estate, your time here is tailored to create the experience you want from South Africa. Situated in the peaceful malaria free foothills of the Drakensberg Mountain range in KwaZulu-Natal, Zulu Waters Game Reserve promises a uniquely intimate experience with the African wilderness. Whether you want to take a horse back ride up close and personal to the herds of wildebeest and buffalo or fish for wild brown trout in the 8km stretch of Bushman’s River, Zulu Water’s blend of exclusivity and adventure makes for an African experience unlike any other. Those who spend time at Zulu Waters Private Reserve are left with a sense that something in them has changed – they are perhaps a little more fulfilled – a little more inspired.

Based in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, making it a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg or a 2 hour drive from Durban – Zulu Waters is a perfect escape. Due to our stunning location summer days can go above 30°C whilst winter days reach 18°C. We are also in a malaria free area and incase of medical emergencies we have trained first aiders on site. The nearest hospital is an hour away but we do have access to helicopter emergency services nearby.

Sycamore Avenue Tree Houses

Sycamore Avenue Treehouses is a family business that started in 2000 and is now owned by Gary Els, of the next generation, who together with his team of hosts and staff will ensure that you enjoy the unique experience with us exploring your childhood fantasies!

Ever since Gary first saw Halley’s comet in 1986, he has been a keen amateur astronomer and member of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa. Sycamore’s location is blessed with clear, dark skies, with fantastic view of the Milky Way. When he is at Sycamore – and skies permitting – guests can be treated to a guided tour of the night sky, accompanied by eye-popping views of planets and the cosmos through his large telescope.

Enjoy the stunning star panoramas, as well as surrounding Drakensberg vistas and sunsets that can be photographed from Sycamore Avenue Tree House Lodge.

Our guest register at Reception pays tribute in almost every entry to wonderful hospitality – and to our legendary food. Florence, our resident (and genius) cook, conjures up the most delightful set meals, from starters to main courses, followed by mouthwatering desserts.

Stay a few days and you will experience a variety of starters: soups such as butternut, mushroom or pea to name but a few, or her rich quiches, stuffed eggs or a host of other delights.

The main course of the day is a set meat-of-the-day – you can anticipate roast lamb, roast chicken, beef curry or a favorite: ox-tail stew

The main dish is accompanied by three prepared vegetables, and usually by roast potatoes and gravy.

We can cater to your requirements if you are diet-restricted, fish, vegetarian or vegan eaters, provided that you give us advance notice when booking.

If you have room left, you can try to squeeze in the dessert of the day. This could be any of Florence’s many homemade delights: cheesecake, tipsy tart, apple pie, strawberry flan, milk tart, trifle, tiramisu, Crème brûlée or hot malva pudding and ice-cream. Yum !

In the morning, a full English breakfast is served. A selection of yogurts, fruit and cereals is available to begin with. We then serve a plated main course consisting of eggs prepared to your liking, and sausages, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and beans. Alternatively, try an omelet. To top it off, enjoy some home-baked scones with your filter coffee, tea or fruit juice. After this start, you should have plenty of energy to do some Meandering!

How about the Drakensberg Mountains for the next Valentine’s Day

wpadmin Accommodation, Information December 26, 2019December 26, 2019 0 Comment

Peace, tranquility, spectacular mountains, romance and dreamy views! what more could you ask for on Valentine’s Day? All you need to do is make sure you come with that special someone.

If you are someone who likes to cook and spoil your loved one there are hords of self catering options. My suggestion is to fill out this request for Drakensberg suggestions and let these guys do all the work for you. Whats more they will probably save you money as the have a great grip on the Drakensberg Valentine Specials available.

But I am not one for cooking and of course I want something that is really different. Well I know just the place and its called Antbear Lodge near to Giants Castle. They even have a luxury Cave that comes with a Jacuzzi spa bath and fireplace. Top tip is to ask them for a private dining experience on the deck or veranda of your accommodation unit. Somehow dining under the stars by candle light just makes for the perfect intimate atmosphere. This is also the place for a honeymoon, a wedding anniversary or location to get engaged. Seriously if he wont say yes here he is just not going to say it.

Cathedral Peak Hotel offers a special Romantic Candlelit Dinner for 2 on a 2 night valentines package where they include a couples full body Swedish massage and a luxury Picnic Basket for 2 – a picnic set up in a perfect setting with a basket filled with cheese and biscuits & champagne which will make Valentines a celebration never to be forgotten!

And if you really like the valentines idea of a spa when the Fourdon Hotel and Spa is the place to be. They even include an arrival drink, Valentines Chocolates, Rasul, Back, Neck, Shoulder Massage, Foot Massage, and Lunch

Make this Drakensberg Valentines trip even more special by arranging for a hot air balloon flight. Granted its and early morning thing and that does take the shine off sleeping in but its super worth it. It is expensive but ultimately its priceless and the memory will stay with you forever.

If you are feeling really flush consider dining out at Hartford House or Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. That is sure to impress your partner with some of the best prepared food they will have ever eaten.

If this sounds like the perfect getaway to spoil your loved one, or spread the love in your family get in touch with us now to secure your booking for a special Valentines’ holiday.

Experience the Drakensberg,
Kwazulu Natal Midlands & Battlefields

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