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.
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Additional Reading
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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...
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...
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....
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 ...
Penwarn Oribi Cottage
Oribi Cottage is located at Penwarn Farm Lodge and offers comfortable accommodation in Underberg. The farm lodge lies in an exquisite valley surr...
Poplar At Wyford Farm
Poplar at Wyford Farm sleeps eight guests. The spacious cottage has a kitchen which is well equipped. There is a table to enjoy meals at and comf...
The Old Hatchery
Welcome to an affordable B&B and self-catering trout farm, set in a tranquil country setting just 10km from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg...
Hearts Ease Guest House
Situated on a working farm, Hearts Ease Guest House offers self catering accommodation in a spacious apartment that forms part of a large farmhou...
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
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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
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Himeville Nature Reserve
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Kamberg Nature Reserve
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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