Hiking Tour - Luxury Style

Southern Drakensberg Mountains – Giant’s Cup Trail

4 Nights / 5 Days – Hiking

We offer “luxury hiking” on the Giant’s Cup Trail (including all the above services) for private groups of 4 to 10 hikers. Departures are organized during the spring and autumn months, when the weather is more predictable and generally pleasant, outside of the summer thunderstorms and cold winters.

Groups are welcome to form their own parties or join one of the scheduled hikes between March and May, or September and November.

Drakensberg Gardens Valley

Day 0: Arrival and Transfer

Dinner

Guests will be transferred from Durban / King Shaka Airport 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 lunch stop on a sunny day, or if it is raining, there is a cave slightly further along the trail.

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

You will be collected from this point and transferred to Briar Lea Farmhouse in the Cobham Valley, where you will spend 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.

You will be transported to the start of the day’s hike at Cobham, where the trail ascends Sipongweni Ridge, passing Tortoise 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), situated beside one of the tributaries of the Umzimkulu River.

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

After an early lunch at Mzimkulwana Hut, continue the hike with a long climb toward Little Bamboo Mountain. At the top of the ridge, you will find several small vleis (tarns) where blue cranes are often seen, along with remains of petrified forests.

The trail then descends through a scenic stream valley with inviting natural swimming pools, eventually reaching the Drakensberg Gardens Valley road, 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 from 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 bottles before starting, as there is very little surface water along this section.

The trail reaches an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters, between the river valleys of the Mzimkulu and the Mzimude.

Enjoy numerous spectacular viewpoints along the contour path as you approach the Drakensberg Gardens area.

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, climbs toward the Fire Station Lookout, and then gradually descends to Bushman’s Nek Police Station, which is an official border post between South Africa and Lesotho.

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

Overnight: Guest Lodge

Day 5: Rhino Peak 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.

Fit hikers who enjoy a challenge can hike to the summit of Rhino Horn and return in one day. The hike requires an early start, as it typically 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 truly unforgettable.

Overnight: Guest Lodge

End of Giant’s Cup Trail – Southern Drakensberg

Lesotho Hiking Tour

4 Nights / 5 Days

Maseru is the capital and largest city of Lesotho. It lies on the Caledon River, directly on the Lesotho–South Africa border, and has a population of approximately 320,000 people.

The city was established as a police camp and became the capital when Lesotho became a British protectorate in 1869. When the country gained independence in 1966, Maseru retained its status as the capital.

The name Maseru comes from a Sesotho word meaning “red sandstones.” By 1824, King Moshoeshoe I had established himself as king of the Basotho people.

Day 6: Transfer to Lesotho and Semonkong

Lunch and Dinner

After completing the Giant’s Cup Trail, depart Underberg at 08:30 and travel through the small town of Swartberg.

Enjoy scenic views of the farmlands of East Griqualand, with traditionally decorated huts along the route. Continue through Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, bordering KwaZulu-Natal, before entering Lesotho via Qacha’s Nek Border Post.

Travel through rural Lesotho villages, crossing the Orange (Senqu) River.

Stop at 2,080 m at the “Christ the King” viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Continue across the Thaba Putswa Range via Makhakhe’s Pass toward Semonkong, known as “The Place of Smoke.”

Visit the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls, a single-drop waterfall on a tributary of the Orange River.

Overnight: Semonkong Lodge

Day 7: Semonkong to Ketane

Breakfast and Lunch – Own Cost
Dinner – Included

After breakfast and collecting packed lunches, travel toward Ketane Village.

Although it follows a similar route, the journey offers different scenic views, especially when traveling by pony trekking or hiking.

Arrival at Ketane, where you will be welcomed by Georgina.

In the afternoon, you may hike to the top of Ketane Falls (approximately 2 hours) if you did not visit earlier.

Overnight: Ha Hlalele Village Huts

Day 8: Ketane to Thaba Kotje

All Meals – Included

The journey takes approximately 6 hours and follows a relatively easy route along the mountain ridges, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Overnight: Thaba Kotje Village Huts

Day 9: Thaba Kotje to Malealea

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner – Included

Important: If the Makhaleng River is in flood, the route must use a bridge, which may add approximately two hours to the journey.

Descend into the Valley of Paradise, arriving at Malealea Lodge, where you can enjoy hot showers and comfortable accommodation.

In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked meal and relaxed conversation around the fire.

Paradise Pass: 2,001 m

Overnight: Malealea Lodge

Day 10: Departure from Malealea

Breakfast and Lunch – Included (depending on flight schedule)

Depart Malealea Lodge after breakfast and travel to Maseru Airport, passing through the Gates of Paradise Pass (2,001 m).

Hiking Tour Ends

Important Information

Valid passports are essential for Lesotho.

If the number of participants increases or decreases, the cost will be adjusted accordingly.

An additional cost applies for the transfer from Durban to the Southern Drakensberg.

Included:

All meals and accommodation

Driver / Guide fees

Mineral water (2 bottles per day)

Transport in a 4×4 vehicle

Entry fees

Excluded:

Personal expenses and insurance

Beverages and alcohol

Sleeping bags

Day packs

General Information

Guests will be traveling through rural and unspoiled African landscapes, so a flexible and tolerant mindset is essential.

Accommodation, bathroom facilities, and meals are often simple, rustic, and basic.

Most lunches are packed lunches or picnic meals.

Toilet facilities are limited or unavailable along many hiking routes.

We reserve the right to alter routes or itineraries due to weather, road conditions, or unforeseen circumstances.

Some accommodations rely on generators for electricity, which typically switch off at 22:00, and gas geysers for hot water.