Giants Castle, Drakensberg
Lying at the southern end of the central Drakensberg, Giant's Castle, which gets its name from the outline of the peaks and escarpment that combine to resemble the profile of a sleeping giant, is essentially a grassy plateau that nestles among the deep valleys of this part of the Drakensberg, offering some of the most breathtaking scenery.
Giant's Castle Nature Reserve is home to the eland and bearded vulture, also known as bone eaters of the ‘berg. A drastic decline in this bird's numbers means that an isolated population in the highlands of Lesotho and adjacent areas is all that remains of the bird, and birders try to time their visits with the vulture hide feeding season, from May to September.
The terrain in this beautiful part of the world is a sprinkling of clear mountain streams, bush-lined banks, wetlands, steep grassy slopes, sandstone cliffs and towering precipices and buttresses that have lured many a climber to Giant's, as it is locally known. There are a number of hikes to choose from and they range from the rather severe hike to Bannerman Hut, to the more sedate Champagne Pools circular walk from Giant's Castle main gate, which takes you to secluded pools for swimming and fishing.
Weather here is dicey and clouds and rain can roll in fast, in what feels like minutes, so warm clothes are an itinerary item at any time of the year. There is good access to Giant's along gravel roads from Mooi River or from Escourt – both towns are on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
As a family, we love being outdoors and we've been dying to come to this part of the world for a long time. Giants Castle was spectacular, to say the least. The scenery was second-to-none, the weather was hot and the people were sop welcoming and friendly. We just loved the Drakensberg.
The Garish Family (Lower Hutt, NZ)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Cleopatra Homestead
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Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
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River Run Cottage
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Antbear Lodge
Situated in the foothills of South Africa's KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg, the guest house overlooks the Bushman's River Valley with one of the most ...
Things to do in the area
Drakensberg Canopy Tour
Drakensberg accommodation is always special because it promises a place to stay in some of South Africa's most spectacular countryside. The area ...
Dragon Peaks Restaurant
Located in the mystical mountains of the Drakensberg, surrounded by a quiet lake, Dragon Peaks Restaurant can be found in a mountain resort and w...
Old Kraal and Yellowwood Forest Trail
The trails in the Giants Castle Nature Reserve are a must-walk if you are in the area. To complete the easy one hour Old Kraal and Yellowwood For...
Mooi River Birding
If you are a bird lover then you will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the Mooi River at Giants Castle Game Reserve. With over 140 species to be seen,...
Giant's Castle Hikes
Giant's Castle refers both to the landmark rock massif in the central Drakensberg, where it rests in amongst the peaks of Champagne Castle and Ca...
Langalibalele Pass hike
Start: Giant's Castle campFinish: Giant's Castle campDuration: 6.5 km, roughly 5 hoursFitness: moderateOur tip: always remember seasonal clothing...
Drakensberg Grand Traverse
Start: the SentinelFinish: Bushman's NekDuration: 200 km; anything from 12 to 15 days (average is 14)Fitness: above average fitness; it's tough, ...
Didima Camp to Elands Cave Hike
Start: Didima Camp, Cathedral PeakFinish: Didima CampDuration: roughly 7 hour round trip (but tag on extra because the art work is exceptional)Fi...
Zulu Cave Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl / Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mdedelelo Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: Cat c...
Noteworthy attractions
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve
Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...
Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...
Cobham State Forest
Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...
Garden Castle State Forest
Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley. The Garden Castle reserve i...
Giant's Castle Nature Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...
Himeville Nature Reserve
The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...
Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...
Lotheni Nature Reserve
Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...
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