South Africa Drakensberg

Drakensberg: Giant’s Castle Game Reserve

Giant’s Castle Game Reserve

Continuing on with the theme of gracious accommodation and civilized pursuits, I am returning to the Drakensberg, and this time to Giants Castle Game Reserve. As with the Royal Natal National Park, and Cathedral Peak, the dominant themes here are walking, climbing and horse riding, with the usual emphasis on bird-watching and gorgeous seasonal floral displays. Also, of course, there is the celebrated vista, which differs within the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve only inasmuch as it is characterised this time by a grassy plateau among deep river valleys pressed up against the sheer cliffs of the escarpment.

Again the walking trails allow for the participation of just about anyone from the very occasional stroller to the maniac death marcher. For the sake of the latter there is a magnificent contoured trail that runs from south to north, pressed tight up against the escarpment, and continuing up almost the entire length of the reserve. On a clear day, and sometimes even on a cloudy day, this trail offers sweeping views of the diminishing perspective of foothills that run, it seems at times, into the deepest blue infinity.

For the rest of us there are about 285kms of varied footpaths that traverse the reserve with the two main focus’ tending to be in the south and the north. Scattered around the reserve there are four mountain huts as well as a handful of caves that are suitable for overnight camping. The huts are equipped with bunks, a gas stove, cooking oddments and a flush toilet. Reservations for both caves and huts should be made with the Officer-in-Charge of the reserve.

How To Get There

There are two main routes into the reserve, north and south, the first being to the Injisuthi Camp to the north via the 331 from Loskop (a dorp with the lovely name, translating from the Afrikaans as Loose Head, or Space Cadet in contemporary parlance) which is reached via either Winterton or Ennersdale, both off the N3 near Estcourt. The second route in is through the Witteberg Gate via the 391 from Mooiriver/Nottingham Road, also off the N3. Here you will find the main KNZ Wildlife Office, and the Giant’s Castle Main Camp.

Date: April 9th, 2008 | No Comments

Robyn: Why not Durban??

As I’m sure some of you have noticed this Logue is pretty one-sided, so to speak, in the favour of Cape Town. There is nothing wrong with that, but there are other beautiful parts of South Africa that are just as attractive.

Philip has asked me to help provide a balance and let the readers know what is hip, hot and happening in Durban or Durbs to the locals!

Date: April 19th, 2007 | No Comments

Jeff’s South Africa trip ‘07-email discussion- #4

Jeff from the states emailed, requesting some info and help with his itinerary for his upcoming South Africa trip.

Here are his finalized plans for the trip, to the Kruger and the Drakensberg (Dragons Mountain). You can see his previous emails here. 

Date: December 29th, 2006 | No Comments

Jeff’s South Africa trip ‘07-email discussion- #3

Reply>>

Philip,

Thank you so much for all of this information.

I think that we are actually going to fly to Cape Town in lieu of driving. If we had more time in the country, we would certainly be keener to drive the entire stretch and follow your itinerary which looks amazing. That being said, I think that we would prefer to cover a bit less ground to get know places a bit more and to avoid exhaustion.

Date: December 7th, 2006 | No Comments

Jeff’s South Africa trip ‘07-email discussion- #1

Jeff from the states emailed, requesting some info and help with his itinerary for his upcoming South Africa trip.

I realized, as I do often, just how huge this country is and how much there is to see. He kindly allowed me to post his email here, because I imagine there are others planning a similar trip or who have some good suggestions for him.

I also spent a long time in reply, so can’t keep awake to write anything else tonight I am hoping Jeff will keep me posted on his trip and perhaps send some nice pictures afterwards and perhaps a rundown of his adventure. Email has been edited for brevity.

Date: December 7th, 2006 | No Comments