| Author: August Sycholt
Struik Publishers
Cape Town, 2002
Soft cover, 15x21 cm, 200 pages, numerous maps and colour photos
Introduction: Both natural history guide and travellers' companion, this book presents the many faces of South Africa's mighty eastern escarpment. It showcases the Drakensberg's pristine wilderness areas and its rich wildlife heritage, its historical significance - preserved in rock art - and its geological make-up. At the same time, it facilitates travel in the vast "playground" by providing maps, lists of walks and hikes (graded for their degree of difficulty) in the main reserves, recommended routes and sites, brief descriptions of towns and villages in the area and what they offer from a natural history and cultural standpoint, accommodation, contact details and numerous practical tips. The book is divided into three regions - KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg (northern, central and southern), North-eastern Cape Drakensberg and North-eastern Free State. The main region is the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, popularly known as "the Berg", where the extensive uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (both a cultural and a natural World Heritage Site) extends across the subdivisions, incorporating most of the region's mountain reserves and wilderness areas. Included in the volume is an information A-Z containing practical tips and pointers, and comprehensive lists of the wildlife in the region - mammals, reptiles, frogs and toads, insects, birds and plants - including a guide to flowering seasons of the region's wildflower species. Photographer/writer and documentary filmmaker August Sycholt has made wildlife and southern Africa his focus of attention. With his wife Hannelore, he left his native Germany to settle in Johannesburg. Initially chief photographer for the Republican magazine group, he is now a freelancer and has travelled extensively, and produced several books on nature and ecotourism in the region.
Farmers Weekly (Patricia McCraken)
"Sycholt's vast experience as a photojournalist and documentary film maker make this guidebook a joy to read and browse through." AA Traveller incorporating The Motorist
"Anyone who has explored this wilderness area or would like to should read this book."
Garden Castle is named after the heavily eroded free-standing peak. Garden Castle (2356 m), which can be seen on the way to the reserve. Captain Allen Gardiner, an ex-naval officer who travelled the Berg in 1835 as missionary and explorer, originally named this peak 'Giant's Castle'. He found its resemblance to Edinburgh Castle startling. A rock painting in one of the caves in the area depicts men and ox wagons, possibly his party. It may have been one of the last works of the San artists. Numerous San rock art sites are protected, and some can be visited in the company of experienced guides. The principal peak inside the conservation area, which covers 35000 ha, is the free-standing Rhino (3051 m) although some other peaks nearby, including MIambonja (3309 m), Wilson's Peak (3276 m), Mashai (3313 m) and Walker's Peak (3306 m), are even higher. Together, they account for the dramatic impact of the landscape of the area, gently counterpointed by clear streams, rivers and tarns. This reserve, the southernmost in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, is part of the Mzimkhulu Wilderness Area, which is accessible from here, from Cobham or from Bushman's Nek further south. Its northern border lies just north of the road to Sani Top. Wildlife Mammals Eland, mountain reedbuck and baboons are seen regularly in the reserve. Klipspringer may be encountered near Sleeping Beauty Cave. Garden Castle is also known for its major share of the Giant's Cup National Hiking Way. Three of the Giant's Cup's five hiking huts are on the reserve's territory. For the less energetic, short walks and day hikes are plentiful. San rock art
Starting at 08:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, guided walks are offered to groups of at least three people. Each walk takes about three hours. Book in advance at the KZN Wildlife office from 08:00 to 16:30 daily, or tel 033-701 1823. Please cancel bookings in good time. How to get to Garden Castle
The Pietermaritzburg-Bulwer-Underberg route (R617) is recommended. A gravelled district road (D317) branches off to the right about 10 km past Underberg (35 km). It leads to the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel entrance and through the hotel grounds to the reserve. Where to stay
A camping site and 12 caves are suitable for overnighting. Camping in the Wilderness Area is permitted (see
'Restrictions', page 173). Three hiking huts accommodate up to 30 people each and are equipped with beds and mattresses. Bring everything else with you. Casual visitors and hikers may book the huts, preference given to National Hiking Way hikers.
Where to eat
Bring your own food. Cold drinks and sweets are available at the office. Restaurants and fast-food outlets can be found in Underberg (35 km).
Facilities
There is a picnic area next to the car park but no fires are allowed. Super markets and other amenities at
Underberg (35 km) or Himeville (40 km).
Bookings
Reserve huts through Central Reservations, Box 13069, Cascades 3202; tel 033-8451000, fax 033-
8451001. All other bookings must be made through the officer-in-charge, tel 033-7011823.
Garden Castle Moutain Reserve Walks: (return distance, starting at Visitor's Centre, unless otherwise stated) 147 THREE POOLS 4,5km
An easy short walk, ideal for hot days as it leads to dear pools ideal for swimming. Follow the Three Pools' signs from the parking lot. The path crosses the MIambonja River and leads steeply up to the ridge. Descend and cross the stream at the bottom. After 1 km take the right turn at the fork to Three Pools and Champagne Pools about 400 m on. 148 PILLAR CAVE AND MLAMBONJA RIVER: 6km
This fairly easy walk signposted 'Pillar Cave and Mashai Pass', starts at the parking area and Blue Gum Forest and follows the MIambonja River in a north-westerly direction, crossing the river several times. Enjoy beautiful river scenery and pools ideal for swimming. 149 SLEEPING BEAUTY CAVE: 8 km
This is a fair to moderate trip with some steeper parts. It is one of the more popular short walks in the reserve, with grand views of mountain and river, several river crossings, and patches of indigenous forest. Follow the signs from the office and cross the first river over the bridge. The valley narrows after 2 km and enters the sandstone portals of Swiman and the Monk. Rhino Peak is visible to the north. Pools along [he path are suitable for swimming. The path gets steeper as it approaches MIambonja and Wilson's Peak. Sleeping Beauty Cave follows on a steep slope above the river. The first section of the two-part walk is easy but after the wooden ladder, the path gets much steeper and can be very slippery after rain. Engagement Cave is nearby in a side gully about 700 m further upstream. 150 ENGAGEMENT CAVE, ROUND TRIP: 9 km (Intermediate to difficult)
Follow the same path as for Sleeping Beauty Cave (see route 149). Pass the cave; follow the path on the left-hand side of the river then cross the river just above the cave. Follow the path going up a steep incline. At the top of a huge triangular rock the path splits, with the right fork leading to Engagement Cave about 100 m ahead. 151 HIDDEN VALLEY: 14km (easy to average)
The hike up the Mzimude Valley where the sandstone of the Little Berg is bizarrely eroded, is rewarding for anyone interested in geology. The return trip can be arranged as a day excursion leading partly along the National Hiking Way. The path begins behind the National Hiking Way's Swiman hut, passes Sunken Valley and continues to Bushman's Nek. The Hidden Valley path branches off to the right and offers a pleasant detour down to the suspension bridge. You will walk part of the way outside the reserve. 152 RHINO PEAK 18km
This challenging hike offers sweeping views from Lesotho to East Griqualand. An early start is advised. Start from the office and follow the main path in a north-westerly direction along the MIambonja River, first on the right then on the left bank, past Pillar Cave. Above Pillar Cave, a 4 km slog up the pass begins, passing the Mashai Fangs on the left. The Mashai Shelter marks the top of the pass. From here the path gains another 150 m in altitude leading across the saddle between the escarpment and Rhino Peak. The knife-edged ridge should be avoided during bad weather conditions. […] | 
