Solutions for the Amphitheatre

The recent poaching in Vergelegen got me wondering if there is any feedback on the mugging that occurred inland from Fangs Pass.

***UPDATE*** regarding hiking in the Amphitheatre region:

Following engagement with stakeholders Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has adopted the following summarised into the form of signage which will soon be erected. The bottom line is that we strongly discourage overnighting in that area and that day hikes are preferable with a guide.

TO ALL HIKERS

Due to the risk of theft and other unlawful activity hikers are advised not to overnight in the area from the chain ladders to Fangs Pass on top of the escarpment. Use of a guide is recommended for all day hikes in the above area. A minimum party size of four hikers and a guide is recommended. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife regrets any inconvenience caused but will not be liable for the safety of persons or their property. Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

Further to this we advise hikers to fill out the mountain rescue register and to ensure that they sign out upon return.

Please note: As of the 1st of Jan 2017, hikers entering the World Heritage Site (Royal Natal Section) will be required to pay entry fees and be in possession of proof of payment. At this stage, entry for adults is R40, children under 12 R20, and overnighting R60 pppn. We intend implementing the sale of ticket books to surrounding establishments and guides who should then be able to sell entries into the Park without the hassle of physically having to pay at Royal Natal. The good part in this is that it ensures you are fully covered for the cost of Mountain Rescue throughout the entire Drakensberg, especially for those doing the GT and shorter overnight trips. Please note though that spot checks will be undertaken from the 1st and that those who are not in possession of proof of payment (ie entry tickets) may be prosecuted. Below is a copy of the notice that will soon be in place at both entry points:

MALOTI-DRAKENSBERG PARK
WORLD HERITAGE SITE

NOTICE TO VISITORS

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT ALL VISITORS ACCESSING THE MALOTI-DRAKENSBERG PARK WORLD HERITAGE SITE FROM WITSIESHOEK MOUNTAIN RESORT/SENTINEL CAR PARK ARE REQUIRED TO PAY APPLICABLE ENTRANCE/CAMPING FEES.

ACCESS TO THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE FROM SENTINEL CAR PARK BEGINS ONCE YOU REACH THE FLAT ESCARPMENT ABOVE THE CHAIN LADDERS:

ENTRANCE FEES: ADULTS R40
CHILDREN (3-12 YEARS) R20

OVERNIGHT CAMPING FEES: PER PERSON PER NIGHT R60
PLEASE RETAIN YOUR INVOICE AT ALL TIMES ON YOUR WALK AS YOU MAY BE REQUESTED TO PRODUCE IT AS PROOF OF PAYMENT.

A portion of the entrance fee is paid into the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Emergency Rescue levy. This levy will be used to cover costs in the event of a Mountain Rescue by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

All visitors entering the World Heritage Site must please complete the Mountain Rescue Register and sign out on their return. This information could save your life.

Entrance to the World Heritage Site is entirely at the visitor’s own risk and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will not be held liable for any claim

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS FOR EMERGENCIES IN THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE:

CONSERVATION MANAGER ROYAL NATAL 082 459 0279 OR 036 4386 412 (ALL HOURS)
MAHAI DUTY MANAGER 076 588 4656 (ALL HOURS)
THENDELE DUTY MANAGER 072 186 2188 (ALL HOURS)
MOUNTAIN CLUB OF SA 0800 005 133 (ALL HOURS)


THANK YOU AND ENJOY YOUR HIKE

To quote John Muir - " Climb the mountains and get their good tidings".

Just to clarify - doing a Northern Berg traverse we will be able to pay for the whole trip at Sentinal Car Park now? We use to pay at our ending destination (Cathedral) and pay only for our entrance at the car park due to them not paying into the rescue fund.

Hi Deon,

Since when did you start paying at Didima Camp at the end of the hike? Did you pay per night? Did you still fill out the mountain register at the Sentinel Car Park? Were the guys the fine with you not paying them? It's the first time I hear people doing that. Is it a common practise?

Thanks,

Carlos

Really? It's the first time I hear of such practice. Is it written anywhere official?

I'm not saying you should pay all the money to Sentinel at all. I'm just wondering since when people have been doing what they thought it was fair and not following any standard procedure.

I've been paying all my money at the Sentinel car park because I thought that's what you were supposed to do. I thought that was the official way. But after that attack in the Amphitheatre area, the politics between KZN Wildlife and Witsieshoek surfaced. I was quite shocked to know that none of the money paid to Witsieshoek was going to KZN Wildlife, as I had always assumed. I first visited the Amphitheatre in 2008. Since then I've done more than 50 traverses, so you can imagine how baffled and cheated I felt. I asked Witsieshoek what the story was. They said that part of that money was going to pay for an insurance with SATIB which, among other things, covers mountain rescues. Did anyone know that? It's true though, because I met the SATIB person who works with them. But why would they do something like that when KZN WIldlife has already a procedure in place? It's so strange. Having said that, I don't think they've ever used that insurance for mountain rescues. All the rescues that I know that have occurred in that area have always been provided by KZN Wildlife's rescue procedure, and obviously paid by their rescue fund. So, after all, it's not surprise that KZN Wildlife has finally put their food down and enforce hiking fees paid to them. I just wonder why it has taken them so long.

The question now is what happens now with those fees at the Sentinel car park. Obviously they can't expect people to pay the same rates. For those doing a traverse the fair rate should be a half of their current day. I have asked them what they're going to do. I'm waiting to hear from them.