Southern Drakensberg B&B hike
A trip to remember - where hikers overnight at B&B
accommodation for 5 days. More luxury for the older hiker who enjoys their
comforts. Terrain is montane grassland and altitudes range from 1800m to 2700m
above sea-level that afford the hiker spectacular views of the Southern
Drakensberg & Maluti mountains of Lesotho. Hikes are tailored to the groups
needs i.e. strong hikers will be able to walk up to the peaks of the Southern
Drakensberg whereas more moderate hikes are available for those wanting a more
sedate walk. Hikes are unmarked and therefore 2 guides are needed per group.
Each hiker will be supplied with a lunch-pack. Dinner will consist of a
3-course meal and breakfast is a farmstyle affair.
Wildlife:
The hike traverses well-managed farmland. Smaller wildlife
can be spotted e.g. Mountain Reedbuck, Grysbokkie, black-backed jackal, lynx,
dassies, porcupines as well as 282 species of bird including black eagle, cape
vulture, crested crane and bearded vulture or Lammergeier.
Climate:
A typical highland climate with moderate summers and cold winters. The area has
summer rainfall with afternoon thunderstorms. It is suggested that you start
your trails early in the morning so that you have descended the mountain soon
after lunchtime. The days are warm (28-30 degrees C) and the nights cool (a sweater
will be needed).
What
to bring: Hikers must bring along their
toiletries, swimming towel, sunscreen, hats, good walking shoes, sandals, a
good all-weather jacket, camera, small torch, water bottle, binoculars and
basic medical kit.
ITINERARY:
Day 1:
Arrive at Millard Lodge, meet
up with your fellow travellers and relax after your journey into the North
Eastern Cape. Let Dawn & Wynne spoil you with a sumptuous dinner as they brief
you on the route. Now is the time to check your bags. Remember, you don’t need
to toss out all those extra goodies, as you will only be carrying your daypacks.
Day 2:
After a farmstyle breakfast,
pack your lunch and start the hike from Millard to Pitlochrie – a stunning
English-style farm with emerald-green lands and woods behind the main house.
Traverse beautiful surroundings with rugged mountain scenery, streams and wooded
valleys. Enjoy your evening at Pitlochrie Cottage with hosts Joe & Clare.
Day 3:
After breakfast, set out on
your hike - a more challenging walk awaits you as you climb from Pitlochrie over
to Balloch – a natural heritage site. Take in the stunning sandstone formations,
home to Bushman paintings, dassies, waterfalls and sparkling pools inviting you
for a swim. Walk along a gurgling trout river to Glenshee Homestead or
Willowstream Cottage, your accommodation for the night, nestling in one of the
prettiest valleys in the area. Meet your hosts, Margy & Graham before settling
down to a delicious farm dinner.
Day 4:
Today you are rewarded with
glorious views over the rugged scenery of the Transkei and Lesotho. You have the
day at leisure to stop and take in the beautiful alpine wildflowers. Perhaps you
are lucky enough to see a Lammergeier accompany you on the walk. A challenging
hike, you ascend ‘The Wall” – aptly named by the Sky Run participants – to 2700m
and then descend down to Reedsdell, looking out to the Wildfell Valley.
Alternatively, a more moderate hike around the mountain can be enjoyed. Spend
the evening in Reedsdell’s comfortable sandstone farmhouse with Chris & Kath.
Day 5:
A special treat - you have the
option of completing part of this hike on horseback through Edgehill up into the
Wildfell valley! A steep climb
brings you out on ‘top of the world’ as you admire the breath-taking views over
the Wartrail & New England Valley, before descending to Bidstone Guest Farm
where Andrew & Janet invite you to rest for the night. Reminisce over the past 5
days before climbing into a welcoming bed, resting before your trip home
tomorrow.
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Costs:
R3 995
4 HIKERS
R3 495
6 HIKERS
R3 250
8 HIKERS
Costs include D,B&B accommodation with packed lunches, guide fees and transport
of luggage. Itinerary can be altered to suit your needs. Group size 4 – 8
hikers.
Click here for the Booking Form
Code of Conduct
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Mountain environments are fragile and
special care needs to be taken to ensure that they are protected, especially in
adverse weather conditions when the risk of erosion is high.
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Stay on the marked track at all times.
Grassland scars easily and can take years to recover.
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From time to time it may be necessary
to close certain parts of the farms, if so, these areas will be clearly
indicated at your arrival.
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Please drive only on the roads provided,
vehicles can damage the vegetation.
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Fire can cause devastating
losses. Please don't throw cigarette
butts down. The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden except in the
demarcated areas at the accommodation.
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Please do not litter. There is no one to clean up after you
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To protect our environment we would
appreciate if a policy of "What ever you bring in - you take out"
was followed.
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It is illegal to pick any plant, or to
disturb of kill any animal in the reserve or to remove or disfigure any biological,
archaeological or geological material, with the exception only of legally
caught fish.
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Before fishing, it is necessary to
obtain a permit from the officer in charge, and to be in possession of a valid
licence.
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Visitors taking deliberate and obvious
short cuts when hiking, could speed up erosion, this is a punishable offence
and you are asked to remain on the paths.
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No person shall cause any noise or
disturbance at any time.
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Hiking alone in the mountains is
strictly prohibited
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Do not interfere with the livestock,
or any of the watering points.
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Gates are to be closed
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The feeding of animals is prohibited.
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Please do not pollute the streams
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If you need to go to the toilet while
on the trail, please go a distance from the track, use a spade and cover the
hole with soil and rocks to prevent unsightly toilet paper from blowing away
and polluting the area.
The Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is one of nine provinces in South Africa.
The Eastern Cape has the largest biodiversity in Southern Africa, as the only
province with 7 biomes. It is malaria-free, has 800 kilometres of relatively
unspoilt coastline, including the Wild Coast. The Eastern Cape boasts world
class game reserves and a large cultural diversity such as Xhosa, Sotho,
German, Dutch and English. In the 19th century, this region was the
site of many bitter, small-scale conflicts between the Xhosa, Boer farmers and
British settlers. The Eastern Cape is
legendary for its hospitality. The Eastern Cape has a rich heritage &
cultural back ground and is home to prominent leaders such as Nelson Mandela,
Steve Biko & Thabo Mbeki.
The North Eastern Cape
This is a part of the Eastern Cape of great scenic beauty
with high mountains, clear streams and warm water spas. It has the only
Mountain Ski Resort and largest inland dam in South Africa. It is renowned for
challenging but breath-taking mountain hiking trails, excellent 4x4 trails,
game viewing & fly fishing
adventures. The area is steeped in AngloBoer history, Xhosa and Sesotho culture
with some outstanding Rock Art sites - one being Denorbin, where there are 32
metres of San murals, the longest in South Africa. This region is mainly an
agricultural area (sheep, wool, wheat, beef, and dairy) with hospitable
farmstays, guesthouses & B&Bs. The predominant biomes are grassland
& nama-Karoo.
The Drakensberg - 'Ukhahlamba'
The Zulu name for the Drakensberg is uKhahlamba - "barrier
of spears". It is an appropriate name as this mountain of basalt just rises up
out of the plains - forbidding and impassable. Covered mostly in short,
succulent grass, the mountains offer a bright green countenance in summer, and
as the season progresses, slowly fades to blonde in the winter, often with
snow-capped highlights. As well as the abundance of grasses, these mountains
are home to a large number of flowering plants - small alpine-type flowers. In
the rivers and kloofs (gorges) you may find pockets of mountain forests with
lovely trees, ferns and lichens. You can walk for miles - literally.
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