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- Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
27 Apr 2022 17:18 #77608
by bribri
Does anybody have any thoughts on the best route to get to Fangs Cave from Mnweni Cultural Center in one day? We've heard Rwanqa Pass may be less overgrown and a better route, but it's definitely longer than going the direct route via Fangs Pass.
Has anybody done either of these routes in one day? How long did it take you?
And has anybody heard of any recent bad experiences with the Basothos? This will be a (very experienced) solo hiker meeting a group up there at the cave.
Thanks!
Has anybody done either of these routes in one day? How long did it take you?
And has anybody heard of any recent bad experiences with the Basothos? This will be a (very experienced) solo hiker meeting a group up there at the cave.
Thanks!
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28 Apr 2022 09:21 #77609
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Hi Bribri,
Welcome on VE!
Going up Fangs pass is the shortest, most direct route to Fangs cave. Any hike in the Mnweni area will (probably) involve a fair bit of bundu bashing in the valleys. You will face the bushes on both Rwanqwa and Fangs valleys - it's basically the same area. Haven't gone up Fangs this year, we went up it last year after the floods and it was basically just the section where you exit the Mnweni river where the path was destroyed. We picked it up after walking around for about 200m or so, and then it was easy walking for most of the way once we got a bit higher (i.e. out of the valley).
If I remember correctly you have a path then all the way to the base of the ridge below Fangs pass, which then disappears once you drop down to the river again. From here on uwards it's bundu bashing and boulder hopping till you get out of the riverbed, but the rather steep grass sections are still covered by rocks so rock hopping is definitely on the menu!
The bundu bashing sections aren't (usually) too bad here - do yourself a favor and do Ifidi/Icidi in Mnweni and Ships Prow (Moncs) - hereafter any bundu bashing will feel like a walk in the park
Welcome on VE!
Going up Fangs pass is the shortest, most direct route to Fangs cave. Any hike in the Mnweni area will (probably) involve a fair bit of bundu bashing in the valleys. You will face the bushes on both Rwanqwa and Fangs valleys - it's basically the same area. Haven't gone up Fangs this year, we went up it last year after the floods and it was basically just the section where you exit the Mnweni river where the path was destroyed. We picked it up after walking around for about 200m or so, and then it was easy walking for most of the way once we got a bit higher (i.e. out of the valley).
If I remember correctly you have a path then all the way to the base of the ridge below Fangs pass, which then disappears once you drop down to the river again. From here on uwards it's bundu bashing and boulder hopping till you get out of the riverbed, but the rather steep grass sections are still covered by rocks so rock hopping is definitely on the menu!
The bundu bashing sections aren't (usually) too bad here - do yourself a favor and do Ifidi/Icidi in Mnweni and Ships Prow (Moncs) - hereafter any bundu bashing will feel like a walk in the park

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28 Apr 2022 18:35 #77612
by bribri
Replied by bribri on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Great, thanks Riaang for the insight! This is very helpful!
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02 Feb 2025 19:57 #79457
by jamesvg15
Replied by jamesvg15 on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Hi Bribri,
Did you end up doing this in one day to Fangs cave, from Mnweni Cultural center.? Want to know if this is possible with an early start and transport down the dirt road
We are planning a 2 night/3 day hike:
Day 1: MCC to Fangs cave
Day 2: Fangs to Mnweni pass/Ledgers cave
Day 3: Mnweni down to MCC
Thank you
Did you end up doing this in one day to Fangs cave, from Mnweni Cultural center.? Want to know if this is possible with an early start and transport down the dirt road
We are planning a 2 night/3 day hike:
Day 1: MCC to Fangs cave
Day 2: Fangs to Mnweni pass/Ledgers cave
Day 3: Mnweni down to MCC
Thank you
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02 Feb 2025 20:33 - 02 Feb 2025 23:06 #79458
by tiska
Replied by tiska on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
jumping in with an answer of my own.
In Aug 24, in a group of three, I went from MCC to Fangs cave over two days. The combined hours were:
day 1: road bridge dropoff point about 3 km upstream of MCC to caves at Mbundini River - Mnweni River junction = 4 hours
days 2: caves at junction to Fangs cave = 7 hours
We walked out from Fangs Cave to dropoff/collection point on day 3 in 8.5 hours.
Times include rests and stops.
None of us was very fit and we’re not youngsters.
Fangs is slow-going beyond the waterfall near the Mbundini - Fangs junction. There is a path up the spur on the true left hand side (right hand as you go up). But that soon drops into the river and from there you’re picking your way along the water course for hours.
Pretty pass though.
In Aug 24, in a group of three, I went from MCC to Fangs cave over two days. The combined hours were:
day 1: road bridge dropoff point about 3 km upstream of MCC to caves at Mbundini River - Mnweni River junction = 4 hours
days 2: caves at junction to Fangs cave = 7 hours
We walked out from Fangs Cave to dropoff/collection point on day 3 in 8.5 hours.
Times include rests and stops.
None of us was very fit and we’re not youngsters.
Fangs is slow-going beyond the waterfall near the Mbundini - Fangs junction. There is a path up the spur on the true left hand side (right hand as you go up). But that soon drops into the river and from there you’re picking your way along the water course for hours.
Pretty pass though.
Last edit: 02 Feb 2025 23:06 by tiska.
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02 Feb 2025 21:18 #79459
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Most of the answer here comes down to fitness level, of cos its possible, but the group needs to used to off path hiking and boulder hopping
I did this with a group of good fitness 6 years ago, we got a lift down the road and started hiking at 6h15 and got to Fangs cave at 16h30
I did this with a group of good fitness 6 years ago, we got a lift down the road and started hiking at 6h15 and got to Fangs cave at 16h30
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03 Feb 2025 11:44 #79462
by jamesvg15
Replied by jamesvg15 on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Thank you so much for the replies, everyone.
We have done the Mnweni loop(rockeries/Mnweni pass, Mafadi and Organs, so looking for an alternative Pass to do with a few new mates joining. Unfortunately, we only have 3 days.
Would it be advisable to try and get hold of the cultural center( not the easiest of tasks so far) or will arranging it on the day be fine.? Trying to save minutes here.
This is my first post to this great forum so thank you for all the help.
We have done the Mnweni loop(rockeries/Mnweni pass, Mafadi and Organs, so looking for an alternative Pass to do with a few new mates joining. Unfortunately, we only have 3 days.
Would it be advisable to try and get hold of the cultural center( not the easiest of tasks so far) or will arranging it on the day be fine.? Trying to save minutes here.
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This is my first post to this great forum so thank you for all the help.
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03 Feb 2025 12:29 #79463
by Sabine
Replied by Sabine on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Phone Colleen at MCC a few days before to organise a taxi, so that the taxi is there when you arrive. Colleen's number 072 712 2401. She is not always on her phone, but she will respond eventually
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03 Feb 2025 13:20 #79464
by Smurfatefrog
Agree with Sabine, you can WhatsApp Colleen too, just let her know what time you want a lift (the earlier the better)
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
The difference the group will find is the lack of path, all of the passes you mentioned have a good path the entire way, so allow for more time.Thank you so much for the replies, everyone.
We have done the Mnweni loop(rockeries/Mnweni pass, Mafadi and Organs, so looking for an alternative Pass to do with a few new mates joining. Unfortunately, we only have 3 days.
Would it be advisable to try and get hold of the cultural center( not the easiest of tasks so far) or will arranging it on the day be fine.? Trying to save minutes here.This image is hidden for guests.
This is my first post to this great forum so thank you for all the help.
Agree with Sabine, you can WhatsApp Colleen too, just let her know what time you want a lift (the earlier the better)
The following user(s) said Thank You: jamesvg15
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03 Feb 2025 13:54 #79465
by vivo101
"To those who are enthralled by mountains, their wonder is beyond all dispute. To those who are not, their allure is a kind of madness." - Mountain
Replied by vivo101 on topic Mnweni Cultural Center to Fangs Cave in one day - Rwanqa Pass or Fangs Pass?
Fangs is manageable in a day, given your group is fit and use to boulder hopping (as the others already mentioned), but be prepared for an 8hr (+) day.
Went up it about 3 weeks back, can confirm that any faint path there was in the river valley is overgrown, be prepared for some bundu bashing. Also there is a VERY prominent path heading up the true right of the river valley (about 500m upstream from where you enter the valley with the ridge path from the waterfall), DO NOT follow this as it just ends up in a little hidden saddle. I knew about this path and still managed to let it fool me, stay in the river valley.
Note that you will still have to drop into the escarpment valley (behind Fangs) to fetch water, unless you want to carry water up the steepest slope of the pass to Fangs cave.
I have in the past done Fangs pass (From 5star cave) and traversed over to Ledgers cave in a day, it is in my opinion a more manageable day than MCC to Fangs Cave. Climb the pass on "fresh" legs and then just get onto the Mnweni highway, which has minimal elevation gain (+-300m) and hikes rather quickly. Still looking at an 8hr (+) day.
Went up it about 3 weeks back, can confirm that any faint path there was in the river valley is overgrown, be prepared for some bundu bashing. Also there is a VERY prominent path heading up the true right of the river valley (about 500m upstream from where you enter the valley with the ridge path from the waterfall), DO NOT follow this as it just ends up in a little hidden saddle. I knew about this path and still managed to let it fool me, stay in the river valley.
Note that you will still have to drop into the escarpment valley (behind Fangs) to fetch water, unless you want to carry water up the steepest slope of the pass to Fangs cave.
I have in the past done Fangs pass (From 5star cave) and traversed over to Ledgers cave in a day, it is in my opinion a more manageable day than MCC to Fangs Cave. Climb the pass on "fresh" legs and then just get onto the Mnweni highway, which has minimal elevation gain (+-300m) and hikes rather quickly. Still looking at an 8hr (+) day.
"To those who are enthralled by mountains, their wonder is beyond all dispute. To those who are not, their allure is a kind of madness." - Mountain
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