Southern Berg hikes - general discussion

Bushman's Pass and Thomathu Pass are pretty cool, both start from the Bushman's Nek border post

The Devils Knuckles and Sehlabathede are definitely worth the visit. Its classic, just don't exepct the dramatic escarpment cliffs of the Northern Berg. Lovely area for caves, tarns, sandstone formations, easy passes, and the Knuckles themselves are excellent for scrambling.

Masubasuba is worth a visit, agreed. Scramble up at least one of the Hodgesons peaks. Can be combined with some of the other passes further south too.

If you want something harder and very remote, consider Vergelegen. You may want to focus your first visit there on Thabana Ntlenyana and nearby passes, but it has a lot more to offer than that.

Haven't been in that area in September before. It is possible that fresh water around Tarn Cave might be a challenge at that time of year. The valley below is fairly far just to fetch water, though I think it will be flowing down there. I have used water from the tarns numerous times without a problem, though it might be wise to boil it. It tends to taste brackish.

The falls are not likely to be frozen, being at a low altitude, and being in September.

Enjoy, and let us know.

From the limited amount of information I have heard about the Mashai Pass security issue, the intention was to send some sort of patrol up there. Have not heard more on this. Unless there is consistent and consequential action though, I am skeptical that there will be a quick resolution (Tugela Falls being the most notorious example of how these issues can be left to drag on).

Agreed, winter does mean that many herders move off the escarpment, though still be a little cautious - I have encountered individual Basotho on the escarpment on several occasions even in the midst of the icy grip of winter.