About Garden Castle State Forest
Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley.
Did you know? The Garden Castle reserve is 35 300 hectares in extent and offers the visitor a variety of experiences.
Dominated by the Rhino (a 3051m Peak which extends about 2km from the main escarpment), the area is characterized by many unusual sandstone buttresses and other formations.
The wildlife is diverse and the walks particularly scenic with many rock art sites in the sandstone caves and overhangs.
A challenging hike takes visitors from 1840m up to the top of the Rhino with the reward of magnificent views from Lesotho to East Griqualand. As there is no accommodation, hikes are required to carry all their equipment and whatever they will need for the duration of their hike.
Need to Know
WhereGarden Castle State Forest, Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Himeville Accommodation, KwaZulu Natal
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.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in KwaZulu Natal
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Himeville
KarMichael Farm
KarMichael Farm is situated on a 35 Ha working farm just outside the Village of Himeville. The Farm has superb views into Lesotho with Hodgson's ...
Sani Lodge Backpackers
The Lodge provides a wide range of clean, comfortable budget accommodation as well as 3 charming, self catering cottages, deep in the majestic So...
Woodys Cottage
Woodys Cottage is a quaint Drakensberg self catering cottage, which is situated on a private farm, close to a river just outside Himeville in the...
Willowbrooke Cottage
Willowbrooke Cottage offers guests a comfortable, unforgettable experience in a fully equipped and serviced self-catering cottage with 3 bedroom...
Trout Lodge
Situated in Himeville, Trout Lodge is the ideal place to escape the city and enjoy fresh air and total tranquility. The Lodge offers self caterin...
Moorcroft Manor Boutique Hotel
We are perfectly situated to provide rest for the weary but at the same time we are surrounded by places offering activities that suit young and ...
Premier Resort Sani Pass
Premier Resort Sani Pass offers accommodation at the foot of the pass on the banks of the Mkhomazana River. This famous pass is only accessible ...
Arbuckle House
Arbuckle House Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering is situated in the beautiful Village of Himeville in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg...
Sani Pass Manor Guesthouse
Sani Pass Manor Guesthouse is situated in Himeville in the main street of this small picturesque village that is just five kms. from the town of ...
Himeville Arms Hotel
The Himeville Arms Hotel is a historic country hotel located in the heart of Himeville. Established in 1904, the hotel has an olde world English ...
Dunford's Loft
Dunford's Loft offers self catering accommodation in the village of Himeville. Here you will enjoy warm, friendly hospitality in a relaxed enviro...
Things to do in the area
Drakensberg Canopy Tour
Drakensberg accommodation is always special because it promises a place to stay in some of South Africa's most spectacular countryside. The area ...
The Old Hatchery Restaurant
You have chosen to come to the most beautiful part of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal. There is nothing quite like Southern Berg hospitality. Ou...
Giant's Cup Hiking Trail
This hike runs along the foothills of the gorgeous Drakensberg range of mountains, mainly through the Cobham and Garden Castle reserves. Views he...
Sani Pass Birding
Birding Tours up the Sani Pass or in the surrounding Forest Mist belt areas for specials such as Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskins, Cap...
Langalibalele Pass hike
Start: Giant's Castle campFinish: Giant's Castle campDuration: 6.5 km, roughly 5 hoursFitness: moderateOur tip: always remember seasonal clothing...
Bushman's Cave Hike
Start: Bushman's Nek EKZN Wildlife office, Mkhomazi WildernessFinish: Bushman's Nek EKZN Wildlife officeDuration: 11 km, 2 days overnight Fitness...
Pinnacle Rock Hike
Start: Cobham ranger station, southern DrakensbergFinish: Cobham, southern DrakensbergDuration: 10 km (20 km return)Fitness: moderate to difficul...
Sherry Cave Hike
Start: Garden Castle Wilderness Area, Underberg, DrakensbergFinish: Garden Castle Wilderness AreaDuration: overnight hikeFitness: moderate to dif...
Himeville Arms Pub & Restaurant
The charm of the Himeville Arms country restaurant, Torridon, and its pub is rivalled only by the spectacular setting in which it is idyllically ...
Noteworthy attractions
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve
Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...
Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...
Cobham State Forest
Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...
Giant's Castle Nature Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...
Himeville Nature Reserve
The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...
Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...
Lotheni Nature Reserve
Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...
Mkhomazi State Forest
Mkhomazi is situated in the southern section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. The Mkhomazi section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is one o...
Accommodation near Garden Castle State Forest
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Drakensberg Accommodation / Himeville Accommodation