Mweni Valley, Drakensberg
Beyond the Amphitheatre, lying between Cathedral Peak and the Royal Natal National Park, is a rugged mountainous area not part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site. It belongs instead to the Amangwane people.
It is a wilderness chartered by few; a mountainous expanse with the type of raw beauty evoked only in photographs and graphic accounts of hikes in the hinterland. Hikers, climbers and photographers consider it the wildest part of the country's biggest mountains.
The scenery is unbeatable. Its passes are seldom explored: the Ifidi Pass, Buttress and Abbey, Peak and Pinnacles, Icidi Buttress and Pass, Mbundini Pass, Buttress and Abbey, the Fangs, Rwanqua Mnweni, the Rockeries and Ntonjelana River and Pass are names recounted only by the experienced few.
Mountain passes in the Mnweni valley test the resolve of hikers, not so much in terms of difficulty so much as endurance, as it takes longer to reach them.
The advantages of hiking in the area are many: there are excellent sightings of birds of prey like the Cape vulture, bearded vulture and jackal buzzard; sunrises are sublime; the night skies are epic; and the opportunity to camp wherever you choose, because there are no formal camp sites beyond the option of the odd cave, is novel.
But the area is not only for hikers. Rivers offer swimming, horse riding can be arranged, there are mountain bike trails, homestead visits to the local Amangwane people includes traditional meals and dancing, and a local Amafa rock art custodian can guide those interested in rock art sites in the area.
Visit the Mnweni Tourism Centre for an interpretive display and access to guides familiar with the area. If you are going to walk in the area then hiring a guide is highly recommended – paths are not always clear and a number of tricky passes require navigation.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Mount Currie Inn
Mount Currie Inn is a 53 room, country-style hotel located just outside of Kokstad. The inn is conveniently situated off the N2 highway and is cl...

Dunford's Loft
Dunford's Loft offers self catering accommodation in the village of Himeville. Here you will enjoy warm, friendly hospitality in a relaxed enviro...

Monte Vista Guest House
Monte Vista Guest House is a Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering establishment set in the tranquil residential area of Estcourt. Monte Vista Guest ...

Wits End Mountain Resort
Experience the peace and tranquillity of the Drakensberg at Wits End, nestled below the twin peaks of Champagne Castle and Cathkin. The resort is...

Protea Cottage at Highbourne
Protea Cottage is tucked away on the side of a mountain overlooking Cathkin Peak and Monks Cowl. It sleeps four people with one large open-plan b...

Flitwick Ranch
Located on a working farm in Swartberg, Flitwick Ranch provides accommodation in what was once a cheese factory and rustic stone stables. Facilit...

Drakensberg Gardens Camping
Boasting breathtaking views of an awe inspiring mountain range, the Resort is a one of kind retreat for guests to rekindle, relax and unwind. Wit...

Drakensberg Bush Lodge and Backpackers
Situated on a farm 7km out of Winterton, this backpacker accommodation is budget orientated but features private bathroom facilities and no shari...

Oban Historical Guest Farm
Oban Historical Guest Farm offers neat and inviting accommodation in Van Reenen's Pass. The guest farm is an ideal halfway stop over for guests t...
Things to do in the area

The Bell Traverse
Start: Mike's PassFinish: Cathedral Peak HotelDuration: 42 km (3 days)Fitness: difficult; for the experienced hikerOur tip: though not actually a...

Icidi Pass hike
Start: Mnweni Cultural Centre, Mnweni ValleyFinish: Mnweni Cultural Centre, Mnweni ValleyDuration: at least 3 daysFitness: extremely difficult; f...

The Mini Traverse
Start: Sentinel car parkFinish: Cathedral Peak HotelDuration: 100 km, 5 – 6 daysFitness: difficultOur tip: It is best to do this hike with the pr...

Ifidi Pass Hike
Start: Mnweni Cultural Centre, Mnweni Valley, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mweni, northern DrakensbergDuration: 3 day round tripFitness: very fit,...

Mnweni Cultural and Hiking Centre
Immerse yourself in the untainted beauty and splendour of the KwaZulu-Natal portion of the Drakensberg when you visit Mnweni Cultural and Hiking ...

Ledges Cave Hike
Start: Mnweni and Cathedral Peak, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mnweni valleyFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: the source of the Orange river ...

Rat Hole Cave Hike
Start: Mnweni area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mnweni area, northern DrakensbergFind it: a stone's throw from the top of Fangs PassFitness: mode...

Five Star Cave Hike
Start: Mnweni, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mnweni valleyFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: be aware that the area is rife with dagga smuggler...
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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