Drakensberg

Drakensberg

Beware on Bannerman Pass

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Security
Hits: 6531

Situated in an area with some of the most disturbing security related incidents in the Drakensberg, Bannerman Pass, as fine a pass as it may be, has not escaped association with these problems. The Giant’s Castle escarpment has witnessed some particularly malicious attacks and robberies that hikers have suffered at the hands of Basutho herdsmen. Bannerman Pass is not just a risky area to camp in - hikers are also at risk of being attacked in the pass.

Grand Traverse record attempt aborted due to snowfall

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Grand Traverse
Hits: 3885

An attempt at breaking the speed record of the Grand Traverse was aborted at Organ Pipes Pass due to the first major snowfall in the Drakensberg of the season. The group attempting the record took shelter in one of the Ndumeni Caves and were rescued by helicopter the following morning.

Hikers freeze to death near Sentinel Car Park

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Hiking
Hits: 11825

A group of hikers returning in the dark felt the brunt of the bitterly cold, winter conditions of the Drakensberg. Two people died and others were admitted to hospital. The drama unfolded on the road near Mt Aux Sources, leading up to Sentinel Car Park, and once again raises the issue of ill-prepared hikers on this quick access point to the summit of the Drakensberg. 

More disturbing times at Cathedral

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Security
Hits: 5298

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife would like to inform visitors who intend travelling to the Didima Camp in the Cathedral Peak area of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site that a tense situation exists between two neighbouring communities along the Winterton/Bergville - Cathedral Peak road.

Maloti Triangle

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: General
Hits: 3056

The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (MDTP) has initiated a number of projects to improve infrastructure in South Africa and Lesotho. Some examples are the upgrade of the road from Himeville to Sani Pass and the accompanying relocation of the South African Border Post, and the construction of tourism and management facilities at Sehlabathebe National Park.

GPS Co-ordinates of Passes in the Drakensberg

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
Hits: 5167

Anyone who has ventured onto the Drakensberg escarpment will know how difficult it can be at times to locate the summit of a particular pass. The use of a GPS can no longer seen as a high-tech toy. Rather it has become highly valuable in increasing the safety and quality of a trip to the Berg. A table listing GPS waypoints and altitudes for passes in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is hereby provided.

The challenge of Drakensberg Passes

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
Hits: 4470

An aspect of the Berg that is a joy and challenge to hikers are the many passes leading up onto the escarpment. They may follow ridges or gulleys, some have paths, others are a formidable climb. The hiking maps indicate the popular and more known ones, though there are many more unmarked ones.

General Security Precautions for the Drakensberg

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Security
Hits: 18060

Prevention is better than cure and so we list the following guidelines which will go a long way in avoiding security related problems in the Berg (though there are no guarantees!).  We have also included a list of precautions and suggestions of what to do when you are confronted with a problem.

Giants Castle March 2005 incident

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Security
Hits: 6707

Of the more recent security incidents in the Berg, what transpired over at Giants Castle Easter in 2005 is among the most disturbing and most publicised. A group of hikers was viciously attacked and robbed on the escarpment.

Drakensberg Caves GPS Co-ordinates

Details
Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Caves
Hits: 8228

Many hikers can relate how difficult it can be to locate a cave in the Drakensberg sometimes. Having a tested GPS co-ordinate for the cave you are heading to is very reassuring -  assuming you know how to navigate with it. The use of a GPS can no longer seen as a high-tech toy. Rather it has become highly valuable in increasing the safety and quality of a trip to the Berg. A list of GPS waypoints for Drakensberg caves in the KwaZulu-Natal section is hereby provided.

Subcategories

Hiking Article Count:  19

Climbing Article Count:  7

Peaks Article Count:  8

Passes Article Count:  44

Caves Article Count:  4

Grand Traverse Article Count:  8

Environment Article Count:  8

Security Article Count:  15

General Article Count:  21