General cave discussion

You will struggle to do better than Pillar Cave. It can be wet in summer, and you need to book it a while in advance during school holidays. There is also Pillar Cave Annex just around the corner from there (make sure you know how to find it - it isn't obvious). There is some detail on both at www.berg.co.za/pillar_cave.htm and www.berg.co.za/pillar_cave_annex.htm

There is also Slab Cave at Bushman's Nek - it is a very easy 5km walk (basically flat), you pass a good rock pool on the way there and the cave itself is right above another good rock pool. The cave is officially a 6 sleeper though, so it might be tight for your group. Writeup at www.berg.co.za/fisherman's_cave.htm (it goes under about 5 different names)

Note that all of these caves will require a few river crossings, depending on rain, these rivers can be very high in summer. I have been knee deep in reasonably fast flowing water on the approach to Pillar Cave a few times before, Slab cave will have a similar problem as well - both require 3 river crossings if my memory serves. So make sure you are prepared!

Thank you so much. Unbelievably useful information. I have written to KZN Wildlife a few times and not had any response so this forum has been a godsend.

Hey guys, im planning a trip with a large group of people (around 20) in the southern berg next weekend. Ive currently reserved sleeping beauty cave in garden castle as i know it is quite massive but i do have some concerns such as level sleeping space for that many people and the fact that i dont think the cave is very well protected against bad weather especially mist and rain. My question is can anyone suggest a better cave? Preferably not more than 2-3h of hiking since i have a few first timers to hiking in the berg.

To restrict damage, group sizes and cave occupants are limited to 12, aside from the Giants Cup Trail which allows up to 30.

Pillar Cave is a good cave, but even though you can get 30 people into it, you still aren't allowed to. There is the annex cave nearby as well, but I seem to recall that the limit applies to both caves as if they were the same cave.

Perhaps phone Garden Castle and ask them.

Ps. Sleeping Beauty Cave is massive, but the sleeping area is very small and won't take a large group. There is an annex cave nearby (some call it Waterfall Cave and some call it Sleeping Beauty Annex), and Engagement Cave can take another 2 or 3 people.

Perhaps, as it is such a large group, booking Swimen hut maybe a good idea. If I recall correctly, it only costs R100 per person per night, and is within easy day hike distance from both Pillar Cave and Sleeping Beauty Caves. I think it may sleep up to 30 people in bunk beds.

Correct - R100 pppn, it sleeps 30, 4-5km (one way) to Pillar Cave and Sleeping Beauty Cave.

thanks for the responses!!! never even knew about the limit of 12.

Just for reference Ghaz they allowed me to book pillar cave and annex in this way with 20 people thanks again for all the help

Hey there,

When I was a laaitie my dad always took our family hiking a lot in the Drakensberg. He knew the place inside out and there's almost not a spot we haven't visited. He was a Geography teacher and he also took the Matric Geography class there for a week long hiking outing around the Amphitheatre.

However, there is one specific cave he only took us family to, and for the life of me I can't remember it's name, in which area it is or anything. So I have a very Vague memory of it and am hoping that in some way, somebody here knows which cave i'm thinking of and could maybe assist me with finding it, as it lies near to my heart to visit it again. Oh, and reason why i'm asking here is that my dad passed away a couple of years ago, and we never "cemented" where or what this cave is.

It is basically a cave area, which is easily big enough to house a good 10+ people at a time. The thing that made this cave so special though, is that it was behind a small'ish waterfall. At the top of the waterfall there was a kinda splash-pool big enough to take a bath in. I can't clearly remember what it was like at the bottom of the waterfall, but I think it was a big enough pool to have a dip in as well. I also think there was a wooden cabin on a wide open field not too far from the cave.

As I stated, I was still young when we last visited the place, about a good 20yrs ago, so I only have these vague memories of the cave. If anybody by chance have any idea of which cave this is, I would be forever grateful!!

Thanks,