Drakensberg Highland hiking adventure tour is a 5 day / 4 night package tour by Frontline Africa Travel

Day 1: Johannesburg to Golden Gate National Park
Depart at 06:00 from Pretoria / Johannesburg. Taking the N3 to Heidelberg, Villiers - then onto the R51 to Frankfort, Tweeling and Bethlehem. (Breakfast en-route). Our next stop is at the charming town of Clarens, laid out in 1912 and named after the town in Switzerland where Paul Kruger spent his last days. The town has become an artist mecca and we will be visiting very interesting shops and art galleries.

From here the road takes us into the North Western Drakensberg mountain region, known as the Golden Gate Highlands. This area is well known for its colourful and spectacular sandstone rock formations.

Afternoon hiking options:
There are 4 hiking trails starting from Brandwag.
Wodehouse Kop (2438m) - 4km; 2hrs out and return
Golden Gate Highlights Hike - 5km; 2.5hrs out and return
Cathedral Cave - 7km; 3.5hrs out and return (vulture hide on this route)
Holkrans - 2km; 1.5hrs out and return. Dinner in the restaurant or African Barbeque. This is an area where the night sky can really be appreciated as nowhere else. Your guide will also point out the different star constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

Overnight: Brandwag Rest Camp, Golden Gate National Park

Day 2: Golden Gate National Park to Drakensberg
Early morning rise experiencing an African sunrise. After breakfast we travel through the magnificent Drakensberg Highlands on our way to the Eastern region. We turn off the main road to the Witsieshoek Region and pass through the town of Phuthaditjhaba on our way to The Sentinel car park.

Hiking options:
The Sentinal Trail – 12km 7-8hrs out and return (Not for sissies or the un-fit) – from this point you have a magnificent view of the Eastern Buttress (3047m) and the Devils Tooth (3019m). It is on this hike that you have a wonderful view of the 2nd highest waterfall in the world - The Tugela Falls - 984m and negotiating 2 chain ladders up to the top of the Drakensberg plateau. We should be off the mountain by 16:00. We then proceed to the scenic Oliviershoek Pass and we arrive at our destination - Caterpillar & Catfish Cooke-house, at 17:00. Dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight: Caterpillar & Catfish Cooke-house

Day 3: Drakensberg
After breakfast we follow the mountain route to Didima Resort situated in the Cathedral Peak area.

Hiking option:
Rainbow Gorge; 11km - 6hrs out and return. This is surely one of the most beautiful hiking trails of the Drakensberg. After the hike we proceed to our next overnight stop at Dragon Peaks Resort. Facilities at Dragons Peak Resort include horse riding, hiking trails, golf, mountain biking, game viewing, swimming, relaxing in clean fresh air, visit the Bushmen rock art sites, dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight: Dragon Peaks Resort

Day 4: Drakensberg
Hiking option:
Blindmans Corner Trail - (2100m) 11km 7hrs out and return. Once up on the plateau you will be able to see Sterkhorn (2937m), Cathkin Peak (3148m), on the left and behind Cathkin Peak is an incredible large and flat mountain, this is Champagne Castle (3377m) Between these two mountains is a third one called Monks Cowl (3229) You will also be able to see a mountain to the far right with a hole in it. This is aptly known as "Gatberg" or Intunja meaning 'eye of the needle' in Zulu. The turning point on this trail is Blindmans Corner – to proceed any further you need to be very well prepared as you will be moving into an area where the weather changes rapidly and very thick mist makes hiking extremely hazardous. Back at base came at approximately 16:00. Relax in the swimming pool. Dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight: Dragon Peaks Resort

Day 5: Drakensberg to Johannesburg
After breakfast we return via the N3, Harrismith, Villiers, Heidelberg and arrive at Johanneburg International at 15:00.