Mnweni Pass - Rockeries Pass Loop

@ Intrepid

Agreed. Certainly no donkey in its right mind did that.

Last time we went through there was just such a transfer taking place.
Lots of BIG bags in the riverbed, covered with dirty blankets.
Lots of TENSE smugglers lying about, covered with dirty blankets.
Made just two of us feel mighty isolated!

@ st²

I remember that occasion very well. You had the tongue in cheek idea idea of getting a pic of them. If I recall correctly, there were about 30 donkeys, 12 horses and at least 20 smugglers, plus a heap of the green stuff. Friendly enough guys though I thought.

The Mweni center is a good thing, and I hope it goes from strength to strength. I have stayed there twice in the rondavels, and always found it to be clean, well looked after and Agrippa and the staff friendly. It means a nice early start with a decent nights sleep before hand, good spot to start hiking from.

Hi,

I was wondering if you can help me. I spoke to a guy regarding hiking with my two dogs in the Mnweni area, starting at the Mnweni centre up towards Mnweni pass and down rockeries. Please tell me it is possible to do this with your dogs, if there is a route where there are no people and NO locals with there dogs please can you advise me on them?
I have been looking for a place to hike with my dogs for over 4 years and this is the only place I found, Ispoke to the Mnweni centre and they do alow dogs.
Thank you very much.

Hi Ryno
You will Definatley run into both people and dogs on this circular route. Close to the Mweni Cultural Centre leading to Mweni Pass and Rockeries you will pass through scattered homesteads of the locals who do have dogs Also on the passes and on top you will have a good chance of bumping into Basutho's who will also have dogs. There also is no other routes in and out of that area where you can avoid this
Don't let that stop you. This is something I have always wanted to do. Sharl Brummer of KZN Wildlife had no problems with his German Shepard on a Berg Traverse a number of years back.
I feel if you have well behaved and obedient dogs that listen and won't just run off you should be fine. All dogs are naturally inquisitive but won't really be defending a territory when accompanying the Basotho's they are with within the passes. Keep your dogs on a lead when passing close to the homesteads lower down.
Enjoy
Selous

Hi Ryno
Also forgot to add, make sure your dogs have been vaccinated for Rabies just incase of a scuffle
Selous

Thank you very much. This helps alot and makes me feel more at ease.

Hi, hopefully those in the know can fill me in on the logistics of hiking in the mweni.

I did some hiking in this area many years ago, when we used to park at the police station, fill in the mountain register, and hike from there.

Is it still ok to park at the police station? Do they still keep the register? Looking at google earth and reading some report backs, it seems people now hike from Mweni Cultural Center (seems quit a bit closer to the mountains than the police station used to be). Is it safe to leave cars etc at MCC? Is booking required?

We were thinking of going up Rockeries Pass, spending the night and comming down Mweni pass. Does this sound sensible for people who have not hiked in a while and may have varying levels of fitness? Sorry for the basic questions i have been out of SA for a number of years ... looking ease back into hiking the berg

Kind Regards,
Michael

Thanks for that Smurfatefrog.

Undecided on wether to spend the night at the base of Rockeries, or try go all the way up.

Most likey will spend first night at the base of rockeris, then second night on the escarpment, then down mweni.