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Drakensberg Walking Tour

BM-16259
4.3Based on
8 days

Carbon neutral

Tour Type
Small Group
Max Group Size
6
Age Requirement
18 - 99 yrs
Operated In
English
Physical Rating
ModerateInvolves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ends

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Highlights

Hiking in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage region

Trek to the top of the Amphitheatre in the Drakensbergs

Hike to the cliff-face where Tugela Falls, second highest in the world, cascades 948m

Itinerary

Set against the dramatic backdrop of South Africa’s highest mountains, the Drakensberg Walking Tour is an 8-day trekking adventure that starts and ends in Johannesburg. Explore the UNESCO-listed Drakensberg Mountains, aptly named the 'Barrier of Spears' by the Zulu, where jagged peaks and sheer cliffs create a landscape that beckons keen walkers and nature lovers.

This moderate activity tour is ideal for experienced travelers and seniors who appreciate active days balanced with hotel comforts. You'll embark on a series of spectacular day walks, traversing canyons, vertical escarpments, and verdant gullies while soaking in panoramic views. The highlight is the challenging ascent to the famed Amphitheatre—an exhilarating climb rewarded by breathtaking vistas.

Beyond the physical beauty, this trekking tour offers a chance to immerse yourself in the region’s rich heritage and unique ecosystems, all while enjoying the camaraderie of a small group and the support of knowledgeable guides. Each evening, return to comfortable hotel bases where you can relax and share stories from the trail.

What makes this tour stand out is the perfect blend of rugged day hikes and restful accommodations, allowing you to experience the best of Drakensberg’s wild beauty with ease and comfort. For those seeking a walking trip that combines South Africa’s natural wonders with accessible adventure, the Drakensberg Walking Tour is an unforgettable choice.

Day 1Arrive in Johannesburg
Day 2Transfer to the Drakensberg Mountains (World Heritage Site)
Day 3Goodoo Falls Hike (approx 18 kms; 8 hours)
Day 4“Cavern Big 5” Hike (approx 18 kms; 8 hours)
Day 5Sugarloaf to Witsieshoek Rest Camp (approx 14 kms; 7 hours)
Day 6Amphitheatre ascent (approx 10km; 8 hours)
Day 7Descend to Mahai Camp (4 hours) then drive to Johannesburg
Day 8In Johannesburg, where trip concludes
Drakensberg Walking Tour

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What's Included

Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
Others
7 nights in 3 star hotels on a twinshare basisEnglish speaking local walking guides in the DrakensbergNational park and conservation fees

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.3

based on 4 reviews
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1
1
0
0
AnonymousOn Aug 19, 2025

Really well organised trip with reasonable quality accommodation. The drakensburg walks were great with super knowledgeable guides. Overall a really good trip to an amazing location.

AnonymousOn Nov 2, 2024

Magnificent landscape and challenging hikes. This is definitely a challenging itinerary; however, the views are worth it. We experienced outstanding service and flexibility that ensured we were able to fully enjoy our hiking adventure in the Drakensburg.

AnonymousOn Jun 19, 2024

Trip turned out to be different to trip notes. Trip notes mention limited luggage storage from hiking day 3 to hiking day 5. It turned out no luggage transfer at all and I ended up trying to carry everything I would need for 3 days in my 24 litre day pack. If we were told about this, I would have prepared a bigger day pack and prepared differently.

AnonymousOn Jun 11, 2024

The hikes were great, the accommodation was fine, the transfers worked, but the description of the trip is in need of an update. Firstly, the National Park entrance fee, mentioned on the last hiking day, is 120 Rand per person, not 30 (if you are an Australian). You will also need to pay this on the first hiking day if you decide not to do the return leg back to the Cavern. The write-up mentions day 4 as being strenuous, but actually this was the easiest of the first 4 hiking days that involved ascents. The "Big 5" hike on day 2 was the most strenuous, with 18km and close to 1000m ascent in total, and a scramble up a gully. On the first hiking day, on the guides advice, we did not return to the Cavern, but did some exploring around the Grotto and then walked down to the National Park. There is another option to do a circular route back to The Cavern via the Hole in the Wall track which the guide said we were capable of doing, but we had booked the return transport from the National Park. It should be mentioned explicitly in the notes that on the 3rd hiking day you will need to pack and carry whatever you need for the day 3,4,5 hikes and the 2 night stay in between. Day 3 is a 700m ascent. The reason given for the need to carry the extra gear is "lack of storage space" in the small hotel, but the real reason is that while the hike between the 2 hotels is 14km, driving takes over 120km, so logistics are difficult. The last hiking day is a 700m descent and our guide took us down via The Crack route which involved ladders. We were down in less than 3 hrs, because the guide had other work in the afternoon. The guides as The Cavern were great. The guide on days 4,5 was so-so. He spent most of the time on day 4 chatting to a couple of young girls that joined the walk, but the track was so easy we really didn't need his services anyway.

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