SOUTHERN SECRETS HIKING & BACKPACKING


GUIDED DRAKENSBERG & LESOTHO HIKING AND TREKKING

About Southern Secrets

The Drakensberg mountains are one of the few remaining easily accessible areas in the world where Hiking, Mountain Wilderness Hiking, Day Hikes and Nature trips can be enjoyed at any time of the year. In addition, the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho offers almost infinite possibilities for Trekking (using pack animals as ‘porters’) or Pony Trekking.


Southern Secrets Hiking and Backpacking is run by Philip Grant, who is a Professional National Mountain Guide (KZN 0904). He specialises in guiding Drakensberg Hiking, Drakensberg Day Hikes, Cross-Cultural Hikes and Trekking and Pony Trekking in Lesotho. Wildflower and Nature trips are guided by his wife Christeen, who is a Professional Drakensberg Day Hiking Guide and a Nature and Culture Guide (KZN 1025). She also guides Drakensberg Day Hikes and Lesotho Pony Trekking and Cultural Trips. Both are fully qualified and registered with the relevant South African authorities.


‘Wilderness hiking’ is a major focus of Southern Secrets hikes, as well as trips into the adjacent Kingdom of Lesotho. Itineraries are ‘tailor-made’ to suit the requirements of any group. With the exception of some of the standard Lesotho pony trekking trips, parties will not normally be mixed with any other groups or individuals unless by special request.


Hikes can include climbing major peaks in the area, such as the highest point in Southern Africa Thabana Ntlenyana (3482m), the Rhino Horn (3052m), or the highest point in South Africa Mafadi (3450m), as well as ‘cross-cultural’ experiences with the peoples inhabiting the mountains, particularly the Basotho in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, the Zulu people in the Mnweni area of the Northern Drakensberg as well as the combined cultures of Xhosa and Sotho in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg.


Southern Secrets can provide anything from a day hike, including visiting San or Bushman Rock Art sites, to a multi-day trip, with nights spent in caves (rock overhangs) and / or tents, at any altitude in the Drakensberg or Maluti Mountains. Another idea for hikers seeking a more comfortable option, is to be accommodated each evening in a suitable B&B, Backpackers Lodge or Hotel, and do a series of day hikes and tours with Southern Secrets, to provide a varied overview of the Drakensberg and Lesotho.


The Southern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg is the least visited area of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site as it is furthest from Gauteng, Johannesburg and Pretoria. It also has the largest unspoiled wilderness area available for hiking. Underberg is about 3hrs driving from Durban and about 7hrs driving from Johannesburg.


‘Wilderness’ is defined as any natural area that has not been changed or influenced in any way by man. When in a wilderness area you should be able to look in any direction and not see or hear any evidence of humanity at all, including seeing any alien vegetation. In its purest form there would be no paths made by humans, and hiking would be off path or on paths made by animals normally found in the area. You are unlikely to see any other people in a wilderness area.


For most hikes, clients participating in Southern Secrets hikes are encouraged to be self sufficient
and to carry all they need for the trip themselves. They should be reasonably fit, and if participating in multi-day hikes, used to carrying a backpack weighing between 18kg and 25kg. The use of porters is not encouraged in wilderness areas within the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site because of the increased impact on these sensitive environments, and because of the detrimental effect the extra numbers would have on enjoying a ‘wilderness experience’.


For hikers who wish to carry as little as possible, other options are available using mountain lodges or community trails outside the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World heritage Site. Portered trips can be arranged by Southern Secrets in the Mnweni area of the Northern Drakensberg. Trekking options (using pack animals to carry food and equipment) are available in the adjoining independent country of Lesotho. Trekking or pony trekking is one of the best ways to experience and discover Lesotho’s stunning scenery and its warm and friendly culture.


All Southern Secrets trips should be approached with a degree of flexibility and an adventurous spirit. At the same time Southern Secrets Hiking and Backpacking is committed to ‘adding value’, and will ‘tailor make’ the trip to the interests of the group and their fitness levels to ensure that as far as possible, all clients have an interesting and rewarding experience that is comfortably within their limits.


Kit lists and food ideas for self catering will be supplied to all hikers, after booking a trip with Southern Secrets Hiking and Backpacking. Alternatively, food and kit can be provided if required. When trekking or pony trekking in Lesotho, traditional meals will normally be provided by the villagers at overnight stops. On hiking trips, clients will be expected to pitch their tents as well as cook and wash up for themselves. Transport to and from hiking venues can be organised if necessary.


Southern Secrets’ Hiking Philosophy is:

  1. Come back safely

  2. Come back friends (have fun)

  3. Reach your objective

  4. (In that order!)