Giants Castle Game Reserve

Giant's Castle Game Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, which is now a World Heritage Site. Giant's Castle camp is situated on a gassy plateau among the deep valleys running down from the face of the High Drakensberg, offering glorious views for hikers and mountain climbers.

The Giants Castle area is steeped in history, and superb rock art is high among its special attractions. The renowned vulture restaurant is open in winter for visitors to watch bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding. Guests longing for more insight into the Giants Castle history can visit the Main Caves Museum for fascinating insights into the past lifestyle of the San people.

At Giants Castle game reserve, there is a large sandstone cave containing prehistoric San rock art. This cave is one of the biggest and best preserved painted sites in southern Africa. This cave is an easy 30 minute walk from the camp office and regular guided tours are taken through this unique exhibition from 09h00 to 15h00 daily for a small fee. A visit to Giant's Castle offers the privilege of entering the world of the San as well as the opportunity to study a varied and exciting range of habitats. The San Art Museum ("Main Cave") is a gentle 30 minute walk from the main camp while the grasslands, marshy areas (vleis), indigenous forests and many other energy flow ecosystems are easily accessible.

Game populations in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park are kept at a level that can be sustained by winter grazing because with neighboring farms and fences, the wildlife is no longer able to migrate into lower more plentiful lands. As part of the grassland management programme, large areas of the park are burnt annually to improve and maintain quality grasslands. Eland antelope and chacma baboons are commonly seen. Mountain Reedbuck and the rare caracal are occasionally spotted. There is a "Vulture Restaurant" where one may watch the Bearded Vulture [Lammergeyer] as well as other raptors.

Accommodation near Giants Castle

• Giants Castle Camp - Premier KZN Wildlife destination in the Drakensberg
• The Antbear Guest house - Affordable accommodation near Giants Castle in the Central Drakensberg Mountains
• Ardmore Guest Farm - Farm-style accommodation in the Champagne Valley

Giants Castle Hiking Trails

• Bannerman Hut  A severe 4.5 hrs hike (11 kms)  A long hike from the Giant's Camp northwest along a clear path, with an early start it is easy to make the hut by mid-morning. The hut must be booked through KZN Nature Conservation Service.
• Berg view  A fair 2 hrs hike (5 kms) A short hike from the Giant's Castle Camp to a popular view point, offering one of the best views of the escarpment, ranging from Giant's Castle to Cathkin Peak
• Champagne Pools An easy hike (4kms - 1.5 hrs) A circular walk starting 1km from Giant's Castle main gate. Secluded pools for swimming and fishing.
• Giant's Castle Pass An extreme 4 hrs or 6 kms hike (from Giants Hut) The hike begins at Giant's Castle Camp and continues up to the top of the little Berg, up the very steep Giant's Pass. Not for the inexperienced.
• Giant's Hut via Oribi Ridge A severe 4 hrs hike (10.5 kms) An alternative route to Giant's Hut just south of the two dassies stream route. It starts at the main Giant's Castle Camp, climbing steadily to the hut, which must be booked.
• Grysbok Bush A fair 2 hrs 30 mins hike (4 kms) This hike, starting at Giant's Castle main camp, takes you up the Bushman's River to the largest forest in the Giant's Castle area .
• Langalibalele Pass A severe 3 hrs 30 mins hike (6.5 kms) Follow the path from the main Giant's Castle Camp past the main caves. The path is consistently steep although the pass itself is one of the easiest and shortest in the berg. Follow the path from the main Giant's Castle camp past the main caves.
• Main Caves An easy 40 mins hike This hike leads from the camp, along the river near the edge of a forest, up to the large caves, which are crucial archaeological sites and have been turned into a museum showing the Bushman's way of life. Tours are conducted throughout the year at set times in the company of a field ranger.
• Meander Hut A fair hike. (5.5kms - 2hrs) There are two ways to get to this hut, which overlooks the Meander Stream from its perch on top of the cliffs of the Little Berg. The hut accommodates four people and it must be booked.
• River Walk An easy 1.5kms - 30mins hike this pleasant stroll has no specific destination and can join the forest walk for a most enjoyable ramble.
• World's view A moderate 3 hrs hike (7 kms) From the picnic area take the concrete path down to and across Bannerman Bridge. Follow the path to below Sugarloaf Kop and on up to World's View.