Superb rock art is high among its special attractions.
The renowned vulture restaurant is open in winter for visitors to watch
bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding. Superb rock art is high among its special attractions.
The renowned vulture restaurant is open in winter for visitors to watch
bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding.
Visit the Giants Castle Main Caves Museum for fascinating insight into the past lifestyle of the San people. Guided tours of the rock art take place hourly on the hour at the cave from 9am till 3pm.
Giants Castle has four mountain huts, three of which are situated just below the main escarpment. They sleep eight and provide opportunities to climb up various passes onto the top of the Drakensberg range. The fourth mountain hut is situated lower down on a ridge overlooking meander valley and sleeps four people.
Giants Castle also offers accommodation in self contained chaletts.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the N3 turn off into Estcourt
and follow the signs to Giant's Castle - the few detours in the town may be
confusing, but head due west and you shouldn't go off course. The dirt road
passes through a rural area into the Bushman's River Valley, crossing the river
twice along the way, and then turns up-river to the park gate about 50 km from
Estcourt.
WHERE TO STAY
The only rest camp offers self-catering bungalows, cottages and a more
luxurious lodge or chalet. A cook and assistant are on hand to cook all your
meals, wash up and tidy your room.
There are three mountain huts for hikers, with toilets and gas stoves.
Budget dormitory accommodation and a camp site are planned.
WHAT IT COSTS
Bungalows sleep two to four people at R74 a night per person, with a minimum
charge of between R111 and R222. More comfortable cottages cost R80 per
person per night, with a minimum charge of R320. The more luxurious lodge
costs R185 per person per night, with a minimum charge of R740. The lodge
has its own cook.
WHAT TO TAKE
Since walking and hiking are the main attractions of the park, you will
need a day pack or backpack, walking socks and boots or stout shoes,
raincoat, hat and lots of warm clothing in summer and winter. A camera and
binoculars are recommended.
If you plan to sleep out you will have to take your own sleeping bag and all
supplies, barring camping stove and toilet paper. The camp office has maps
of the area, as well as copies of Drakensberg Walks by the writer of
our feature (Struik Publishers, Cape Town).
The store sells basic foodstuffs including milk, bread, tinned foods, sweets
and frozen meat and instant meals.
Trout fishermen should bring their own rods and flies, but licences are
obtainable at the shop.