SOMETIMES, YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, AND SOMETIMES, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, YOU FIND YOURSELF. THAT IS THE DRAKENSBERG WILDERNESS.”
UNKNOWN
Mzimkhulu Wilderness - Drakensberg
This
28 340 ha wilderness in the southern Berg extends from Sani Pass in the
North to Griqualand East in the south. It is characterized by
spectacular sandstone formations, grasslands and numerous streams and
rivers and those seeking to escape from the more popular areas further
north will find Mzimkhulu a haven of tranquility. Although the area
lacks a well-defined contour path, it is traversed by an extensive
network of footpaths.
The main
approaches are from Cobham Reserve in the north, Garden Castle Reserve
in the center and the Bushman’s Neck border post in the south.
The Cobham
access point is reached by turning right onto the D7 along the
Underberg/Himeville road just outside Himeville. The Reserve is reached
about 14 km further along this road. The route to Garden Castle access
point and the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel is well signposted from
Underberg.
From Underberg,
the Bushman’s Neck border post is reached by following the Swartberg
road for about 5 km before turning right onto the Bushman’s Nek road.
After 25 km you will turn right, reaching the Bushman’s Neck Hotel some 8
km further. The border post is situated a short way beyond the hotel.
After stretching
south-east for some 250 km, the escarpment swings sharply south-west at
Sani Pass. Although the area lacks the prominent free-standing peaks of
the Central and Northern Berg areas, several unusual buttresses and
sandstone rock formations create impressive scenery.
Access to
the greatest concentration of footpaths is from Cobham Reserve – a
convenient base for exploring areas such as Hodgson's Peaks, the Pholela
River and Siphongweni Shelter and Rock.
Siphongweni Shelter
is situated about 8 km from Cobham and is reached by following the
course of the Pholela River upstream for about 7 km before turning left.
You will reach the shelter about 1 km further along this path. About
two to three hours are required to reach the shelter which has been
described as one of the best in the Drakensberg, taking into account the
number of paintings, their good state of preservation and the
interesting themes depicted. The reason for this is twofold: due to its
remoteness the shelter was one of the last to be used by the San and for
the same reason escaped the attention of vandals.
The shelter
is perhaps best known for the scene depicting men spearing fish from
small canoes. This painting is to the left of the cave and was much
sharper in 1907. The black pigment used by the San is, unfortunately,
not as long-lasting as other pigments. This factor combined with
exfoliation has resulted in the gradual fading and even disappearance of
some of the paintings.
Routes and features to be explored from Garden Castle Reserve include The Monk, the Hidden Valley and the Mashai Pass and Rhino Peak.
About 15
km south of Hodgson’s Peaks is one of the most conspicuous peaks in the
southern Drakensberg, the 3 051 m Rhino Peak, which juts out
approximately 2 km from the escarpment. It is reached by following the
well-defined Mashai Pass from Garden Castle Reserve along the Mlambonja
River Valley. About 2 km along this path you will reach Pillar Cave,
which is often used as a base camp for excursions to the escarpment.
Over the
next 3,5 km you will gain some 500 m in altitude, followed by another
400 m over the final 1,5 km. Once the escarpment is reached the path
swings eastwards and about 2 km further on is Rhino Peak, which is
easily ascended. From Garden Castle Reserve to Rhino Peak you will gain
some 1 200 m in altitude and, depending on your physical condition,
about 6 hours are required for the ascent. The total distance is about
18 km and can be completed in a day, provided you make an early start.
South of Garden Castle the footpaths are restricted to a number of foot passes leading to the escarpment.
We as hikers, explorers, and adventurers have the absolute duty to respect and protect our Wildernesses.
Nobody else will do it for us. Take ownership!
The End.
Safe Hiking.
References and Acknowledgements
From the book: Hiking Trails of Southern Africa, Willie & Sandra Olivier.
Photos: ©Willem Pelser
Compiled by: Willem Pelser
