Bushman's Cave Hike

About Bushman's Cave Hike

Start: Bushman's Nek EKZN Wildlife office, Mkhomazi Wilderness
Finish: Bushman's Nek EKZN Wildlife office
Duration: 11 km, 2 days overnight
Fitness: difficult (although the initiated regard this as a relatively easy hike)
Our tip: the trail also forms the last leg of the Caves' Traverse (Bushman's Nek wildlife office-Lammergeier Cave-Bushman's Cave-Bushman's Nek wildlife office)

The hike heads up Bushman's Valley alongside the Bushman's River to the top of Bushman's or Ngwangwane Pass, one of the easiest ways up the Drakensberg.

Sign the mountain register at the office before setting out, particularly if you are to overnight in the cave.

Whilst the hike is not difficult, you do need to be fit to enjoy it. The path is easy to follow, despite the odd tall bush or thick grass to mask it from view. At one stage, the river heads through a gorge.

The hike crosses the river and then heads up the first track right, up the left bank of the Bushman's River. The river is particularly beautiful, with great cliffs to either side and natural forest clinging to the steep sides.

The path takes you all the way to the cave, there are no real difficulties about the route and no scrambling or boulder hopping to contend with. However, the pass is both long and steep.

The cave is roughly 1 km below the summit.

The main issue is to be prepared for the elements. Overnight hikes in the 'berg expose one to cold winds, thick mist and often soft rain. If you do not have enough and the right type of gear, you can find yourself damp and freezing – not a nice experience if you then fail to warm in the cave.

Ngwangwe Cave lies 700 metres above Bushman's Cave at the bottom of Ngwangwane Pass. Press on another 20 metres above the cave for incredible views along the southern escarpment towards Rhino and Hodgson's (Giant's Cup) peaks.

Note: Up Devil's Knuckles and down Bushman's Pass to Bushman's Cave is regarded as one of the best overnight hike's in the 'berg.