About Monks Cowl Nature Reserve
Monks Cowl is the gateway to some of the most magnificent mountain Wilderness areas in South Africa.
Did you know? The rock art of the Drakensberg is the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara and is outstanding both in quality and diversity of subject.
Taking its name from the distinctive mountain between Champagne Castle and Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl marks the access to the Mlambonja and Mdedelelo mountain Wilderness areas.
Monks Cowl is one of the most unspoilt areas of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and very popular with those who wish to get away from commercial development.
The area is known for its splendid scenery, and provides hikers with access to mountain trails that weave through the deep valleys and forests rising up onto the main escarpment of the Northern Drakensberg.
Hiking routes in Monks Cowl Nature Reserve vary from a few hours to several days and provide sufficient diversity to accommodate all levels of experience and fitness. (See hiking trails listed under Things to Do in Monks Cowl).
The foothills here have a great many caves and were very popular with the San People. The 'Battle Cave' depicts a battle between two San tribes.
Need to Know
WhereMonks Cowl Nature Reserve, Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Drakensberg Accommodation, KwaZulu Natal
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in KwaZulu Natal
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Drakensberg
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...
iKhayalamafu
High in the Monk's Cowl Reserve of the beautiful central Drakensberg Mountains and closer to paradise than anywhere else in the Champagne Valley....
Monks Cowl Golf Resort
Monks Cowl Golf Resort is situated in the Central Drakensberg approximately four hours from Johannesburg and two and a half hours from Durban. Si...
Aloe Cottage at Highbourne
Aloe Cottage offers self-catering accommodation at Highbourne on a property that is part of the Monks Cowl Drakensberg World Heritage Site. This ...
The Zulu Hut and Inkunzi Cave
Situated in the foothills of the Central Drakensberg mountains, in the beautiful Champagne Valley, are three totally unique self-catering units. ...
KarMichael Farm
KarMichael Farm is situated on a 35 Ha working farm just outside the Village of Himeville. The Farm has superb views into Lesotho with Hodgson's ...
Aloe at Wyford Farm
Aloe is a cottage located on a small working farm, in the mountainous area off Van Reenen Pass in KwaZulu Natal. Guests are accommodated in separ...
ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest
Nestled below the Ingeli Mountains and surrounded by beautiful indigenous forests, Ingeli Forest Resort is the ideal place to unwind! Treat yours...
Valley View Cottage
Situated in the small town of Underberg in the southern Drakensberg, Valley View Cottage offers self catering accommodation for four guests. Boas...
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 ...
Monk's Cowl and Champagne Castle Hikes
Start: Monk's Cowl or Champagne Castle, central DrakensbergFinish: Monk's Cowl or Champagne Castle, central DrakensbergDuration: variousFitness: ...
Monks Cowl to Ndedema Gorge Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl office, Champagne ValleyFinish: Ndedema GorgeDuration: 28 km and further, 2 – 5 daysFitness: difficultOur tip: the hike is st...
Zulu Cave Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl / Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mdedelelo Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: Cat c...
Dragon's Rest Pub and Restaurant
The backdrop against which the Dragon's Rest Pub & Restaurant is, undoubtedly, one of its most irresistible draw cards. In fact, this little retr...
Lower Injisuthi Cave Hike
Start: Injisuthi, Giant's Castle Nature ReserveFinish: Injisuthi, Giant's Castle Nature ReserveDuration: 17 km, overnight hikeFitness: moderate t...
Nandi's Falls Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl Reserve main gateFinish: Monk's Cowl Reserve main gateDuration: 8 km, roughly 3 to 4 hoursFitness: easy to moderateOur tip: d...
Vaalribbokkop Cave Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl/Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mdedelelo Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: Vaalrib...
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...
Accommodation near Monks Cowl Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Drakensberg Accommodation
