Walking on sandstone towards Vaalribbokkop Cave
Adele and Bruce Arnott come from Johannesburg and, as many other South Africans, love outdoors. Life is fast in the biggest city in South Africa so they try to go for escapes around the country as often as they can. They had done a few day hikes in the berg in the past but lately they had been thinking it was about time to take a step further and experience the mountains a little more intimately.
One day Adele ran into my website and felt very inspired by the Northern Drakensberg Traverse, what is commonly known by hikers as the Mini Traverse. However, the Mini Traverse is not a suitable hike for beginners, regardless of their fitness. The fact that one has to carry a heavy backpack with all their gear (including tents) and food for 5 days, makes a hike of this nature a challenge that only gradual introduction into backpacking can prepare you for. So I suggested a 3 day hike in the Little Berg (not little at all!) staying in 2 different caves instead: Vaalribbokkop Cave and Zulu Cave. Sleeping in a cave is one of the highlights of hiking in the Drakensberg and it has the major advantage that you don’t have to carry a tent with you.
Adele and Bruce are very lucky to have a great group of friends with whom to share their adventures. Four of them decided to join this hiking party: Nicky and Sean from Scottburgh, and Belinda and stormin’ Norman from Durban. The 6 of then turned out to be a star of a group and made me feel not as a guide but just another friend.
We had to delay for an hour our start because of the rain but for the rest of the time the weather was perfect. Quite unusual for the berg in the summertime.
In spite of blisters, aching backs and sore shoulders, the hike was a memorable experience for all of them and they were inspired to do more. Perhaps they are up for a Mini Traverse?
If you would like to do this hike contact us at info@spanafrican-adventures.co.za or have a look at our website www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za for other exciting options.
Adele & Bruce Arnott
The first kms on the manicured path out of the Drakensberg Sun Hotel
Van Damm's Cascades, our fist water stop
Belinda negociating a slippery river crossing
Streptocarpus gardenii
Begonia sutherlandia
Top of Jacob's Ladder - 700m higher than the start of the hike
Walking by Clarens sandstone
Cathedral Peak range viewed from top of Jacob's Ladder
Sean and Bruce helping out blistered Norman
Cape Valture nesting on sandstone cliffs
Cape vulture colony
Stormin' Norman enjoying the heights!
Evening at Vaalribbokkop Cave
Another amazing sunset in the Drakensberg, from Vaalribookkop Cave
A stay in a cave, one of the highlights of hiking in the Drakensberg
Belinda and Norman loving it!
Coming down the contour path towards the Mhlawazini river and Zulu Cave
A beautiful waterfall on our river crossing
Nicky and Sean in the Mhlawazini Valley
Zulu Cave - Our home for the second night
Enjoying shady Zulu Cave
Hungry hikers waiting for their dinner (and wine)
Zulu Cave is a fantastic and spacious shelter
From left to right: Cathkin Peak, tip of Monk's Cowl, Champagne Castle and Dragon's Back
Among the Themeda triandra, the most common grass in the Drakensberg
Norman eventually had to put on crocs to be able to walk with a blistered ankle
A makeshit buckle - A pot handle and a rubber band
Coming down from Breakfast Stream for our last downhill - Overlooking the Sterkspruit (Mpofane) Valley
The Sphinx, a well-known feature in the Monk's Cowl area
A bushbuck welcomed us at the of our hike
A typical end of a hike: cold drinks and smiles