Submitted by Lindsay Couper
"Our hike started from Bushman's Nek Office. One can opt from leaving town (Underberg) early or as we did, staying overnight at Silverstreams Caravan Park which is within walking distance of the office; taking advantage of an early morning start. The camp is within a short walking distance of both the Bushman's Nek Office and trail head. We parked our vehicle at the designated parking area at the office which is adjacent to the caravan park as we found it a little more convenient in grabbing our backpack and last minute items rather than leaving it in the camping grounds. Each is equally safe for overnight parking. Before the hike started we needed to settle your overnight hiking fees and fill in the mountain register.
As we began our 8.9km hike to Tarn Cave from the car park, your trail immediately crosses the Ngwangwane River three times within the first kilometer. Soon after, the path leads you into meandering open grasslands, where the beauty of the Drakensberg unfolds before you.4.5km’s into the hike, we were rewarded to a perfect lunch spot at Cedric’s Pool and a swim was a must! The crystal-clear waters invited some of us to dip your toes while the others plunged into the cool, refreshing embrace of nature.
After our lunch break, we dried ourselves off and resumed our journey along the trail which is well-carved and very few technical areas to navigate.The ascent becomes notably steep immediately after departing Cedric Pool, climbing 661m to reach the cave nestled at an altitude of 2395m.Tarn Cave lies in a sandstone ridge with a good overhang and sleeps up to 12 people. There are two large tarns on the plateau above the cave. The contrast between the serene water they hold and the dramatic scenery creates a picturesque setting.
The cave’s entrance is framed by lush vegetation and you get a front-row seat to the view of Devil’s Knuckle/Thaba Ntsu that stands at 3028m.Once we arrived we set up camp in the cool, sheltered cave, arranged our sleeping bag and unpacked our gear. With camp established, you prepare a simple meal over a portable stove. As we started eating, the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of pink, orange, and purple. The tarn mirrors the vibrant colors, creating a magical atmosphere and with darkness falling, a canopy of stars emerges instilling a feeling of peace and tranquility
Sleep swiftly enveloped the weary, and soon, the early morning light greeted us after a restful night's sleep. Facing north, the cave bathed us in a gentle dawn glow, painting Devil's Knuckles in warm hues of brown as we reluctantly packed up to begin our descent down the mountain, retracing our steps back to where we started. We lingered once more at Cedric's Pool, savouring the extra hours spent in its refreshing waters.
Upon reaching Bushman's Nek office to sign out from the register, a brief stop at Silverstreams Trading Store for the essentials led us to one particular item - the traditional Black Label Zamalek beer. Returning to our campsite, we kindled a fire and reflected on our micro adventure, surrounded by the crackling flames and the memories of our journey.
MicroAdventure time in total, out and back:
A weekend! We chose an overnight hike. Hiking time is approximately 4 hours without stopping
Best time to go:
Any time of the year is ideal for embarking on this hike, thanks to the caves offering protection from the elements.
Water is essential for the hike, and during summer, the small waterfall cascading over the front of the upper end of the cave can meet all your water needs. In winter, water can be collected from the tarns above the cave, although it's advisable to filter and purify it before drinking or cooking, However, it's worth noting that the tarns can completely dry up during winter so you will just need to fill up on your water supply at Cedric’s fall.
Cost (per person):
R0 - R250
Special permissions / permits:
Yes!
Cave bookings are essential and must be done in advance directly with the reserve (033)701-1823 and not with Central Reservations.
The cost of overnight hiking/accommodation paid to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for using a cave or your own tent is R85. 00 per day
A quick note about safety: can you do it solo? Do you need a crew?
Trails are always best enjoyed with a crew.
Pro tips:
When hiking in the Drakensberg, expect to experience all four seasons in a single day! Be prepared for anything by packing layers that suit every kind of weather, from scorching sun to sudden downpours and chilly evenings. It's like a year-round wardrobe in your backpack! The most reliable weather app for the mountain is https://www.mountain-forecast.com especially as it offers temperature readings for different elevations.
