Giants Cup - Hiking Trail Tour

GIANT’S CUP LUXURY TRAIL – HIKING ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrival and Transfer to the Southern Drakensberg

Dinner

Pick up at Durban / King Shaka International Airport and transfer to the Southern Drakensberg Mountains.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 1: Sani Pass to Cobham Valley Hike

Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Approx. 13 km

After a restful night at Seaforth, where you gather for dinner the evening before your hike, you will be transported to the start of the trail at the base of Sani Pass.

The first objective is to cross the bridge between the Mkomazana and Gxalingwa Valleys.

Ngwenwa Pools is an ideal stop for lunch on a sunny day. If it is raining, there is a cave a little further along the trail that can provide shelter.

Afterward, the trail gradually ascends through beautiful countryside into the Pholela Valley, crossing a suspension bridge over the river into the Cobham Reserve.

You will be collected from this point and transferred to your accommodation for the night.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 2: Cobham to Drakensberg Gardens Valley

Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Approx. 17 km

This is the longest and most eventful day, so an early start is recommended to get the most out of the hike.

You will be transported to the start of the day’s walk at Cobham, where the trail ascends Sipongweni Ridge, passing Tortoise Shell Rocks, before traversing its southern flank and descending into the Mzimkulwana Valley.

Along the way, you will see Mzimkulwana Hut (normally the second night’s hut on the Giant’s Cup Trail), nestled beside one of the tributaries of the Umzimkulu River.

A highlight along the route is Bath Plug Cave, named after a hole in the cave floor where water disappears. Here you can view Bushman rock paintings—please observe but do not touch them.

Try to leave Mzimkulwana Hut after an early lunch to complete the remainder of the hike, which begins with a long climb toward Little Bamboo Mountain.

At the top of the ridge, you will find several small vleis (tarns) where blue cranes often gather, and remains of petrified forests can still be found.

The trail then descends along a scenic stream valley with inviting natural swimming pools, eventually reaching the tar road in the Drakensberg Gardens Valley, where you will be collected and transferred to Orchid Valley for the night.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 3: Winterhoek Ridge Hike

Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Approx. 13.5 km

You will be guided out of Orchid Valley to reconnect with the marked Giant’s Cup Trail above Winterhoek Hut.

The first half of the trail ascends the ridge west of Garden Castle Mountain via the scenic but steep Black Eagle Pass.

Be sure to fill your water bottle before starting, as there is very little surface water along this section of the trail.

You will eventually reach an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters, between the river valleys of the Mzimkulu and the Mzimude.

Enjoy the many spectacular views and pleasant vistas as you follow the contour path along the Drakensberg Gardens ridge.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 4: Bushman’s Nek Hike

Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Continue the Giant’s Cup Trail toward Bushman’s Nek Valley.

The trail first crosses the wide Mzimude Valley, then climbs toward the Fire Station Lookout, before gradually descending to Bushman’s Nek Police Station, which is an official border post between South Africa and Lesotho.

This section is a relatively easy hike of approximately 12 km, reaching the hotel in time for lunch and an early afternoon pick-up.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 5: Rhino Peak Summit Hike

Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Rhino Peak Climb

Rhino Peak is a free-standing 3,000-meter mountain, located away from the main Drakensberg escarpment and towering above the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel.

Very fit hikers who enjoy a challenge can hike to the summit of Rhino Horn and return in one day.

An early start is essential, as the hike usually takes 10–11 hours with approximately 1,000 meters of ascent.

The hike is non-technical, although there may be some scrambling up the gully leading to the escarpment.

On a clear day, the views from the summit are unforgettable.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 6: Departure

Breakfast

Depart after breakfast and transfer back to King Shaka International Airport / Durban Airport.

END OF HIKE

Included:

All accommodation and meals

Transfers to and from accommodations

Three meals per day

Two bottles of mineral water per person per day

Entry fees

Two airport transfers

Excluded:

Personal expenses and travel insurance

Tips for the guide

Personal backpacks (guests must bring their own)