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Drakensberg Caves & Huts Database
11
RATING

Nhlangeni Cave

Location:

Vergelegen Wilderness Area

The cave is situated about 200 metres below the top of Nhlangeni Pass, and quite well back from the direct line down the pass, although there is a path that passes nearby below it.  It is just one of several usable caves on the south side of the upper reaches of Nhlangeni Pass.

Co-ordinates (WGS84 / dd mm.mmm):

S29 29.557 S29 29.557 at 3134 metres

Description:

Accommodation: 2(S) or 6(W)

Nhlangeni Cave lies in basalt, but despite this it looks more like a sandstone overhang. In good, dry weather it could accommodate 6 hikers, but a more realistic year-round figure is 2 to 4.  Close by is a small overhang referred to in the photograph above as an annex to the main cave.  Even further out along the same rock face is another cave with a low stone wall which looks like it might offer better accommodation, but it is lies much higher and further from the route up or down the pass.




4
COMFORT

The sleeping area is quite level.


0
WATER

There is no running water near the cave, but in the height of the wet season this could possibly be collected from trickles running down the rock faces in the area. The nearest reliable water sources are about 1 km down the pass below the cave, or 1 km from the top of the pass in Lesotho.


0
POOLS

No running water means no pools.


3
SHELTER

Depending on which direction the weather is coming from, the cave could be quite exposed and in driven rain only those at the back of the overhang would remain dry.


4
OUTLOOK

The cave faces across the very wide slope of Nhlangeni Pass onto the rock wall beyond.  This projects outwards from the escarpment, culminating in Mohlesi Peak. Overall it is a pleasing but relatively plain outlook.

Bookings:

+27 (033) 7020712

Contributors:


Last updated: 2009-08-18 12:25:31 | Report Listing Report Listing
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