About Bald Ibis Trail
Start: 25km outside of Harrismith at base camp
Finish: base camp
Duration: 2 days with a total of 27 km
Fitness: moderate, although the first day can feel strenuous
Our tip: the trail's markers have been eroded over the years so the trail has been reclassified as a wilderness trail, and you'll need a GPS to complete it
This weekend trail traverses Rensburgkop – made popular by the Television drama series The Mountain - a beautiful hike predominated by huge sandstone kranzes and sightings of raptors that include the bald ibis.
Those after a less arduous hike can adapt the two days to easier day routes of three and five hour walks.
Base camp supplies an overnight option in the shape of a converted barn filled with bunk beds, mattresses and an inside fireplace for cold, typical Drakensberg evenings. It helps that there are hot showers and flush toilets. Hikers on the two-day option can overnight in Twin caves close to a waterfall, set up for the purpose with beds, braai grid and the option to collect your own fire wood – taking along a gas stove is not a bad idea.
Day one is just under 18km and takes one up the mountain to the krans from where it follows the base of the krans to Windy Corner, which, as its name suggests, can get rather windy and hence difficult to manage. But views from the top are said to be spectacular. The first day can be rather tough going, particularly when it is hot.
The trail passes a huge cave with fine examples of San paintings that have not perished over time, although hikers are requested not to disturb them.
Day two is a lot easier and covers only 9 km on a walk below the cliffs of the mountain.
Need to Know
Where25km outside of Harrismith at base camp, Free State
WhenBooking is required.
How muchPrices on request.
Telephone+27 (0)012 803-4144
OvernightStay nearby in Harrismith, in Free State
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.
Need an Update?
Send us feedback if this is your service/activity. Please let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies.
Note, we do not have additional information or rates. Please don't contact us, rather use the service provider's contact details provided.
Find Bald Ibis Trail in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Harrismith Inn
Harrismith Inn is a roadside inn located on the N3, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban. The hotel has superb views of the Platberg mountains...
Rheola's Guest Cottage
Rheola's Guest Cottage offers accommodation in a quiet and peaceful suburban area in the quaint town of Harrismith. The fully equipped 2 bedroom ...
Africlassic Guest House
Africlassic Guest House offers accommodation in Harrismith at the base of the Platberg mountain, amid the picturesque Drakensberg Highlands. This...
Ibis Self Catering Unit
Located in the town of Harrismith, Ibis offers accommodation in one bedroom with twin beds and a bathroom with a shower. The open plan living roo...
Lali's Guest House & Tea Garden
Situated at the foot of Platberg in the peaceful town of Harrismith, we offer accommodation in a safe, peaceful and luxurious midway stop between...
Shady Pines Guest House
Equidistant from Durban, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, this beautiful home is situated in spacious gardens with full views of Platberg. Shady Pi...
Tom's Place Guesthouse
Tom's Place Guesthouse offers guest rooms and cottages, and is located in the town of Harrismith. The guest house is ideally situated nearby the ...
Greensleeves Guesthouse
At Greensleeves you can enjoy our warm hospitality in a home away from home environment. Your hosts are Alet and Petrus. Equidistant from Durban,...
La La Nathi Country Guest House
La La Nathi is the ideal accommodation stopover choice, situated on the N3 just outside the historic town of Harrismith in the Eastern Free State...
Buffalo Hills Fishing Cottage
Buffalo Hills Fishing Cottage is located at Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve which is situated about 30km south of Harrismith near the Sterkfon...
Beauchef Farm House
Beauchef Farm House accommodates 13 guests in four bedrooms. The lounge, which has a cosy fireplace, is comfortably furnished and includes a slee...
Buffalo Hills Mountain Lodge
Buffalo Hills Mountain Lodge provides accommodation in Harrismith in five chalets that may only be booked for exclusive use. The chalets are atta...
Other things to do in the area
The Hound and Hare
If you are a fan of pub grub then you might want to plan a trip to Durban if you live in Jozi or vice versa if you live in Durbs. You don't need ...
Platberg Nature Reserve MTB Route
Where: on Platberg Mountain, a landmark on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; closest town HarrismithLevel: difficult, children...
Aansluit MTB Trails
Where: Aansluit Landgoed, Verkykerskop, Harrismith, Free StateLevel: intermediateType of route: rolling terrain and stunning views; 30 km worth o...
Maluti Cave Hike
Start: base camp at Tseki, Phuthaditjaba (Witsieshoek)Finish: TsekiDuration: two, three, four day optionsFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: t...
Noteworthy attractions
Mount Everest Game Reserve
The privately owned Mount Everest Game Reserve is set in a particularly scenic part of the Free State close to the town of Harrismith and, despit...
Harrismith Country Club
The Harrismith Country Club is a wonderfully kept course in the humble town of Harrismith. The golf course, famously known for being the third ol...
Platberg Mountain Reserve
Just outside Harrismith, is a beautiful stand-alone mountain. Its flat top ('plat' means flat in Afrikaans) extends for 9 kilometres, and it stan...
Sterkfontein Dam Reserve
Rugged, steep krantzes silhouetted against the skyline, mountain slopes snugly covered with a grass blanket, deep lushly vegetated kloofs and a c...
Bezuidenhout's Pass
This remote gravel pass lies in the mountainous region between Harrismith and Bergville on the border between the Free State and Kwazulu-Natal, n...
Maloti Route 26
The Maloti Route covers the distance between Rouxville and Fouriesburg in the Eastern Free State; a self-drive tarred road that hugs the Maluti M...
Basotho Cultural Village
A visit to the Basotho Cultural Village which nestles at the foot of huge sandstone mountains, will give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle ...
Golden Gate National Park
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park d...
Namahadi Pass
Namahadi is the highest peak in the Free State and one of the highest peaks in the Drakensberg range of mountains. The top of the pass is well ov...
Accommodation convenient to Bald Ibis Trail
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Free State Accommodation / Thabo Mofutsanyana Accommodation / Harrismith Accommodation
Harrismith as a destination
Why book with SA-Venues.com
- Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
- No airy fairy service fees; you save!
- We care. Service with integrity.
- Multiple payment methods:
credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer. - All Harrismith property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
- Secure your booking
Things To Do
- By Province
-
Search
Search our comprehensive (and still growing) list of 4561 things to do whilst visiting our beautiful country.
-
Suggestion?
Know of a fabulous thing to do in your suburb, city or region? Share your local knowledge and experiences with visitors and tourists: Suggest a thing to do
Destination Harrismith
- By type in Harrismith
- Harrismith Accommodation
- Harrismith Hotels
- Harrismith Guest Houses
- Harrismith Bed & Breakfast
- Harrismith Self Catering
- & Holiday Apartments & Suites
- & Holiday Cottages & Chalets
- & Holiday Homes & Villas
- Harrismith Conferences
- Harrismith Weddings
- Harrismith Honeymoons
- Destinations near Harrismith
- Bethlehem, Clarens, Clocolan, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg, Kestell, Ladybrand, Memel, Paul Roux , Phuthaditjhaba, Reitz, Rosendal, Senekal, Sterkfontein, Swinburne, Van Reenen, Vrede, Warden
- Resources for tourists
- About Harrismith
- Things To Do
- Attractions
- Reviews