​Guided by expert local guides, you'll explore the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve while enjoying a well-paced itinerary with plenty of time for enjoying the stunning scenery and wildlife. This trek really delivers, balancing adventure with safety with the option to book yourself a fabulous treatment at the outstanding Forest Retreat Spa on the completion of your hike. 

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 A perfect mix of excitement, exploration and relaxation awaits.

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Itinerary for 2026

Tuesday 28 April:

Fly to O.R Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport

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Wednesday 29 April: Arrival and transfer to Montusi Mountain Lodge

Meet and greet at the airport. Our driver will be waiting for us inside the airport arrival hall. We will then travel by road in a 15 seater luxury minibus to Montusi Mountain Lodge.

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Montusi offers luxury accommodation in the Drakensberg mountains – combining privacy, comfort and breath-taking scenery. The spacious suites are situated in an indigenous garden with spectacular mountain views. All have a comfortable lounge, private patio and ensuite bedrooms.

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Our evening will be spent relaxing over a carefully prepared meal whilst planning for the fun to come.

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Driving duration: Approximately 4 hours

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Included

Transfer from the airport to Montusi Mountain Lodge

Conservation fee for the Drakensberg Nature Reserve & Witsieshoek

Accommodation: Montusi Mountain Lodge (twin room / double room) single supplements available on request.

Meals: Dinner​

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Thursday 30 April: Hike through the river valley and the Drakensberg foothills 

After a leisurely breakfast we depart from Montusi for a hike through the river valley and Drakensberg foothills to The Cavern Drakensberg Resort.  The 16km (10 mile) route crosses moderate terrain with 492m ascent. This is the perfect day to warm up the legs after the flight and get acclimatised for what is to follow over the coming days.  The route offers an inspiring preview of the hiking route, with panoramic views of the sandstone cliffs of the “Little Berg” as well as spectacular views of the Amphitheatre, where the escarpment section of the hike will take place. We will be accompanied by a member of the Montusi team, who will be our guide for the day.

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We will have a picnic en route with the option to enjoy a dip in the Cowslip Falls Dam, before the gentle descent into The Cavern, where we will be staying overnight. 

 

​At the The Cavern the rooms are set in landscaped gardens attracting hundreds of birds that fill the days with birdsong and the evenings with the sounds of crickets, frogs and other friendly creatures.

 

​You carry only your day pack with your lunch, snacks, weather essentials and personal items; all other kit is transferred to our next stop. 

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Trek duration: 6 hours approx.  

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Included

Luggage transfer from Montusi to The Cavern 

Accommodation: The Cavern (twin room / double room) single supplements available on request. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Friday 1 May: Hike through the sandstone cliffs to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge

The Cavern’s hearty breakfast offers the perfect fuel for a more rigorous day in the mountains!  The 12km (7.5 mile) route  with 1,043m of ascent takes us through the sandstone cliffs behind The Cavern, to the Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge.  The route follows well established footpaths that climb steadily to the level of the sandstone cliffs - this section of the hike requires some scrambling.  

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We will be accompanied by our mountain guide and assistant guides who will be looking after our safety and welfare during the escarpment hike.

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Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, our accommodation for the night, is located in the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area. It overlooks the Drakensberg's Sentinel Peak and Amphitheater.  At 2,285m above sea level, this lodge is the highest in the Northern Drakensberg. Witsieshoek offers en-suite bungalow accommodation. 

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Once again only day packs are required.

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Trek duration: 6 hours approx.

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Included

Luggage transfer from The Cavern to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge 

Accommodation: Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (twin room / double room) single supplements available on request. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Saturday 2 May - Tuesday 5 May : Camp at the world's tallest waterfall and traverse the Drakensberg escarpment

Our day starts with a shuttle from Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge to the Sentinel Car Park, where the trail begins.  The 8km drive from Witsieshoek to the Sentinel Car Park is an adventure in itself, with challenging 4x4 terrain and breath-taking views of the valley below, where we began our hiking two days before.

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After the two days of preparation at lower altitudes, we are now ready to traverse the Drakensberg escarpment. Our hike will traverse the Northern Drakensberg from the Amphitheatre summit to the Mnweni Valley, via Rockeries Pass. The escarpment hike starts dramatically with the ascent of the famous chain ladders. We will then camp at the top of the Tugela Falls, officially recognized as the world’s tallest waterfall. 

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For the next three days the route follows the escarpment edge, offering endless views of the foothills way down in South Africa on the left, and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho on the right.  We will be wild camping as we hike along the escarpment. Our route covers approximately 48 kms (30 miles) over the four days, with 500m of ascent on days one, two and three. Day four finishes with a dramatic descent of Rockeries Pass, with some lovely opportunities for a river swim. 

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On arrival at Mnweni the shuttle will transport us back to The Cavern for a celebratory dinner.

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All our luggage, food and tents will be carried by our porters. We will only need to carry our own day packs with our essentials.  

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Included

All luggage transfers by the porters

All hiking permits

Tents

​Accommodation: Tents

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner including tea & cookies each day 

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Tuesday 5 May: Celebration dinner at The Cavern

After a well earned shower or soak in the bath we will all come together for a celebration dinner and talk about the highlights of our trip.  

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Accommodation: The Cavern (twin room / double room) single supplements available on request. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Wednesday 6 May: Pamper and relaxation day

Rest day at The Cavern, where you can book yourself a treatment at the fabulous Forest Retreat Spa, or spend the day relaxing at the pool, or reading on the deck.

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Accommodation: The Cavern (twin room / double room) single supplements available on request. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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​Thursday 7 May: Transfer back to the airport and fly home 

After a leisurely breakfast we will say our farewells and catch our shuttle back to O.R Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport. 

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Driving duration: Approximately 4 hours

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Included

Transfer from The Cavern to the airport

Meals: Breakfast

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Cost*: (Excluding return flights to O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg) international Airport) 

Deposit on booking - £700.00

15 February 2026 - £500.00

15 March 2026 - £500.00

15 April 2026 - £575.00

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Total cost - £2,275.00

* All costs are non refundable

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​Trip Grading:

For the most part this is a non-technical trek, with only a small amount of scrambling.  It will be challenging at times, with long days and steep ascents and descents. You will be  trekking at an altitude over 3,200m, so your legs will get a solid workout. Trekking poles are highly recommended. A good training plan prior to your departure will help you prepare for the demands of the trail, ensuring you can enjoy the experience.  WildDog Events can advise you on this.

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If you’re comfortable walking for 6-7 hours a day with ascents of up to 1,000m over consecutive days, you’ll be well-prepared for this trek. Success requires a solid fitness base, but equally important are determination, resilience, and a positive attitude to embrace the adventure and challenges along the way.

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Kit list:

Download the recommended kit list here

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Weather:

At the end of April, the Drakensberg experiences pleasant Autumn weather marking the end of the rainy season with warm sunny days at around 19-23 degrees C which is perfect for hiking but cool to cold nights.  Night-time temperatures can drop significantly to 10-15 degrees C requiring layers and warm jackets as temperatures begin to transition towards winter months.  ​

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We will experience clear skies with very little light pollution making it perfect for star-gazing and fewer summer thunderstorms making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.

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Group size:

Minimum group size = 2

Maximum group size = 10​​​​​

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What's included:

Pre-trip:

• Personalised trip support in the lead up to your trek including advice on kit

• Trek training guide if requested

• Public liability insurance

• Financial Protection for your booking

• Monthly payment plan available

• Risk assessment and emergency management planning

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During our trip:

• Local English speaking guide throughout the trip, Assistant Guide/s 

• Accommodation: 5 nights in luxury mountain lodges as outlined above; plus 3 nights wild camping in tents

• Meals: as detailed above

• Transport: Arrival & Departure airport transfers at one nominated time.

• Applicable conservation and entry permits

• All trip management before, during and post trek.

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What's not included:

• International flights

• Travel insurance (mandatory) that covers trekking at over 3,000m and helicopter evacuations

• Any activities/ tours/ visits not mentioned in the itinerary and in the above inclusion list

• Visa – (not required for tourist visits shorter than 90 days in duration)

• Vaccination/s. Please refer to: NaTHNaC - South Africa

• Personal spending money and drinks

• Meals not listed in the itinerary

• Beverages

• Snacks, electrolytes, water purification tablets

• Kit and equipment as listed on your kit list

• Any personal medication

• Tips / gratuities for the guide, assistant guide, climbing guide, porters, expedition crew, drivers & hotel staff

• Single room supplement where available

• Spa treatments

• Any associated costs if leaving the trek early.

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​​Food & Drink:

FOOD: Breakfast x 8, Lunch x 7, Dinner x 8

Please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can arrange with the local team. 

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Water

Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity, it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.

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The tap water at the lodges is suitable for drinking. On the hike you can also drink from the rivers and streams and we would recommend using a purification bottle like Water-to-Go. This is a filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source.  Please help us reduce the volume of single use plastic in this pristine environment.

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Altitude:

When trekking above 2,500 meters, your body must adjust to the lower levels of oxygen. With our steady ascent up to 3,200m your body should have time to adapt to the lower levels of oxygen. However, even with careful planning, some trekkers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, which can include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, disturbed sleep, nausea, and loss of appetite. ​Everyone acclimatises at different rates, and while most of the team may experience mild discomfort, such as headaches, some may require extra care. Our experienced leaders and crew are trained to monitor and assist anyone experiencing any symptoms. 

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To minimise the risk of altitude sickness, follow these essential guidelines: drink 3-5 litres of water daily, avoid alcohol and limit caffeine, walk slowly, stay warm, and eat well, even when your appetite is low. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or take medications that might affect your ability to acclimatise, it’s important to consult your doctor before booking. While our team will do everything possible to help you achieve your goals, your safety is our top priority, and your local leader may decide to delay or halt your ascent if necessary for your well-being. Please respect their decisions, as they are made with your health and safety in mind.

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Although this trek is at altitude, we are not at extreme height so we don't anticipate much of an impact - if you would like to discuss this in more detail with us, just get in touch.

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Visa:

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Not required for tourists staying less than 90 days in South Africa.

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Vaccinations:

 

Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A.   You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. ​

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Severe Allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform us at the time of booking. We will do all we can to help, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on this trip. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as ‘adrenaline auto-injectors’ are not carried as standard. Whilst your leader is aware of our trekkers medical history, please also inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

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Emergencies:

Our Leaders and crew will have mobile phones and radios communications in case of emergencies. The team are trained to deal with these situations. Please ensure you listen to your Leader during these times and refrain from putting any posts on social media.

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Should you find yourself unable to continue with the trek, your Leader and crew will make the necessary arrangements. Depending on the situation, you will be met by the support vehicle (depending on access) and you will be transferred back to suitable accommodation or nearby medical facility as required.​​​​​​​​​​​​

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