Garden Castle Nature Reserve

Garden Castle Nature Reserve is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates Bushman's Nek Valley. The reserve is 35 300 hectares in extent and offers visitor a variety of experiences from hiking trails to fly fishing.

Garden Castle is dominated by  Rhino Peak (a 3051m Peak which extends about 2km from the main escarpment). T Garden Castle 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.

Accommodation near Garden Castle Nature Reserve

• The newly established Hermits Wood camp site within the Garden Castle Nature Reserve is situated within the Mlambonja River valley and looks onto the Garden Castle peak to the South and the Majestic Rhino Peak on the Northern escarpment. The camp sites are conveniently situated in close proximity to the major hiking routes as well as the reserve office and shop, where curios and basic food stuff can be purchased. The sites are situated on a grassed bank with a rustic communal ablution with hot water showers for those cold winter evenings. The picnic sites in the day visitor area also have braai facilities and are available for the making of fires.
• Bentwood Inn - B&B or Self Catering in Underberg - Southern Drakensberg

Hiking Trails at Garden Castle Nature Reserve

• Overnight hiking in Garden Castle: Overnight hikers have the choice of numerous caves or may use a tent to camp but must carry all other requirements for their hike.
• Rhino Peak There are 5 hiking trails with the Rhino covering about 18 km and graded severe to extreme, as the most difficult.
• Hidden Valley A moderate 9kms - 3hrs hike This hike begins at the Garden Castle main office, via Swim Hut and along Hidden Valley, returning the same route. For those with an interest in geology, the Hidden Valley hike up the Mzimude Valley offers interesting formations as well as unusual erosion features.