Mkhomazi Wilderness Area

About Mkhomazi Wilderness Area

Mkhomazi Wilderness refers to a large section of the southern central parts of uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Centre) that is regarded as one of the few spaces in the country where you can hike for days without coming across another living soul.

Did you know? The highlight is the incredible deep valleys, soaring peaks that reach well over 3000 metres and a few caves used by hikers overnight. McKenzie's Caves, in particular, are a highlight of the area.

Which gives one a good idea as to how isolated, and how little explored, the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area is. This is probably due to the fact that it isn't attached to the main escarpment, instead made up of a number of separate peaks like Redi, Mohlesi, Ka-Nthuba and The Tent.

Mkhomazi is one of several wilderness areas in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park – others include Mlambonja, Mdedelelo and Mzimkhulu. Together they cover 117 765 hectares. Mkhomazi, in turn, gives rise to several mountain reserves – Highmoor, Kamberg, Lotheni, and Vergelegen, and nearby towns include Himeville and Underberg.

Whilst close to one another, the two are very different. The smaller can only accommodate roughly five people, whilst the bigger can sleep twelve, except in harsher weather when the back of the cave becomes an optimum space. In driving rain, the smaller cave actually offers better shelter, despite the wonderful overhang in the main cave.

The Cypress Cave is a short and relatively easy hike in the Mkhomazi Wilderness that is great for beginners and allows one to overnight in a rock shelter. There is running water close to the cave.