Drakensberg Giants Castle Hiking is a 4 day lodge- to- lodge luxury hiking experience in the Drakensberg foothills. The hiking trail includes some of the most scenic and bio diverse parts of the Drakensberg. The program offers comfortable and varied lodge accommodation each night, luggage transfers and mouthwatering catering. The Drakensberg is arguably the best hiking area in South Africa. If you prefer a self-guided trip, go to Drakensberg Hiking.
Overview
Drakensberg Giants Castle Hiking trail provides access to private land, a game reserve and locally forged conservancies- special places where people normally would not have access. Drakensberg Giants Castle Hiking trail offers safe and secure mountain walks and hikes
Highlights
- The Drakensberg mountains, is the highest mountain range in Africa, south of Kilimanjaro. The highest peak reaches an altitude of 3482 m.
- The Lowlands Conservancy is well known for its rich biodiversity. You will hike through Zulu Waters Game Reserve-the only private game reserve in the Drakensberg with wildlife such as rhino, zebras, buffalo, ostriches, eland, water buck and wildebeest
- The area is incredibly scenic and provides the perfect environment for other activities such as biking, bird-watching, horse riding, photography and painting.
- Nearby Giants Castle Nature Reserve has an impressively rich floral diversity, rolling grasslands, crags and cliffs
Itinerary
Pricing approach
Pricing factors and what is included
- The published rate is an indicative price. It will be confirmed on request. The following pricing factors will be considered: room sharing or single, group size, extra nights, transfers and other services. A minimum of 2 people per group. Twenty percent deposit and the balance 6 weeks before trip.
- The following items are included:
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 days hiking
- Dinner and breakfast. Lunch packs are supplied for daily hikes
- Registered mountain guide
- Luggage transfer
- Conservancy fees
- Information about the area
Excluded
- Items not mentioned above, eg :
- Transport to and from the Drakensberg Giants Castle Hiking trail
- Snacks and drinks
FAQ's
The Drakensberg experience an average of 16 to 18 rain days in the months of December and January and the summer months November to March account for 70% of the annual rainfall, whilst May to August accounts for less than 10%
The elevation of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, where peaks exceed 3000 metres, results in moderate temperatures. Summer temperatures hardly ever rise over the 30 degree mark. During the rainy season in summer (December, January and February), daily thundershowers occur. At times it pours for days, sometimes a whole week. But there are always long sunny periods as well, even in the rainy season. In the winter months (from June to August) it is dry and pleasantly warm during the day. The thermometer climbs up to over 15 degrees but the nights can be really cold. Even in the moderately high regions, temperatures sink below zero. In higher regions it snows.
Bookings can be made throughout the year. The autumn months of April and May have the most pleasant climate. Spring is also very appealing, because at that time the wild flowers are in full bloom. Despite the risk of snow, winter is the best season for hiking. The summer is a less popular season for hiking, although then the landscape is greener and the wildlife more abundant. The weather in the Drakensberg can be divided into two main seasons: summer and winter. Although the weather tends to be pleasant all year round, the altitude and the mountain climate shouldn’t be underestimated. Climatic conditions can change rapidly and snow, fog, rain and thunderstorms can develop within minutes, enveloping hikers on exposed hillsides. Winter (May to August) is the driest time of the year and also the coolest. There will always be some rain during the winter months which, when it’s cold enough, will occasionally fall as snow. Daytime temperatures can be as high as 15°C, while at night temperatures will often fall below 0°C. Summer (November to February) is the wettest time. The mornings tend to be warm and bright, but as the heat builds up clouds begin to collect in the afternoon. The violence of the thunderstorms when they break is quite spectacular, usually accompanied by short bursts of torrential rain. Daytime temperatures average around 20°C and the nights are generally mild with temperatures not falling much below 10°C.
Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a thick waterproof windbreaker/jacket, good walking boots/shoes (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes, personal first-aid kit, camera, torch/flashlight and an extra plastic bag for litter,hiking stick, insect repellant.
If you are planning to hike up to the summit plateau the clothing you carry with you should protect you from the weather you are likely to encounter over 3000 m. An anorak made from waterproof breathable fabrics like Goretex will be useful all year round, while in winter layers of thermal underwear, fleece, a woolly hat and gloves should prepare you for sub-zero temperatures.
Your accommodation bookings will be in 3 lodges where you will have dinner and breakfast. Lunch packs will be provided for daily hikes.
Overall rating is “Easy/Moderate”. You do not need to be ultra-fit but certainly able to walk between 12 and 20 km per day. See Walking grades for more details about Easy and Moderate rating.
See “Itinerary” for add-on activities such as the Giants Castle vulture hide, etc
We recommend that you add some other attractions to complement your visit to the Drakensberg. You can include other visits before or after the Drakensberg Giants Castle hiking holiday. We can assist with bookings and advice. The costs of these options are available on request.
The starting point of Drakensberg Giants Castle Hiking is situated in the Giant’s Castle area, about a five-hour drive from Johannesburg via the N3 and about two-and-a-half hours from Durban.
For international visitors:
Fly to King Shaka International Airport, Durban or OR Tambo International Airport and then by car.
Directions from Durban:
Travel along the N3. Take the off ramp 152 between Estcourt and Mooi River. Travel in the direction of Hidcote. After 7 km you will encounter a T-junction. Turn right towards Giants Castle. After 14 km turn right towards Moor Park onto a dirt road. The Lodge is on the right signposted Antbear Guest House 5.5 km down the dirt road. Drive up the farm road for 2 km
Route from Johannesburg:
Exit N3 at 2nd Estcourt turn off (175) signposted Wembezi. Turn right and cross over the N3. After 500 meters turn left onto a dirt road signposted Zulu Waters / Moor Park. Travel for approx 8 km. At the Y-junction take the left fork signposted Zulu Waters / Moor Park. Continue on this road for 15km. The Lodge is on the left signposted Antbear Guest House 5 km after you cross the metal bridge. Drive up the farm road for 2 km
We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance giving you cover against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided walking/hiking holiday offered by Trails and Travel in South Africa-
“Overall, the holiday was invigorating- You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our walking community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation”
For details, go to Reviews
The Drakensberg Giants Castle hiking holiday is a unique experience. For more information about the Drakensberg area, go to Read more
