Aasvoëlkrans Cave

Location:

Highmoor Wilderness Area, southern central Drakensberg.  The cave is at the top end of a small gorge, an easy 5 km walk from the Highmoor office.  Careful map reading is required to reach the cave, especially in mist.

Warning:

This cave is unsuitable for young or poorly supervised children.  The combination of gravel and high drop-offs in front of the cave requires considerable care.

GPS Coordinates: WGS 84

S29°17.808 E29°37.756 at 1 870 metres (Russell Smith)

Description:

Aasvoëlkrans Cave is actually a double-storey cave, although only the lower level is normally used for overnight stays.  The lower level has a gravel floor but there are several flat areas suitable for bedding down on.  Together, the 2 caves could accommodate well over 100 people, but the limit set by ecological impact studies is 12.

Comfort:  5/5

This is a comfortable cave, with the added advantage that the waterfall drowns out snoring!

Water:  5/5

There is an abundant supply of water all year round.  It is accessed from the lower cave by a series of ledges, so care must be taken, especially with young children or at night.

Pools:  5/5

There are several pools above and below the waterfall at the cave.  The largest pool is immediately below the cave.  The more adventurous can go kloofing down the gorge.

Shelter:  5/5

Being at the top end of a narrow gorge, the cave is well sheltered from all but the strongest winds.  The huge overhanging roof ensures that no rain can enter the cave.

Outlook:  3/5

The cave is east-facing.  It offers a nice view of the gorge, but you will have to clamber out above the cave to see the grand view of the central Drakensberg escarpment.

Overall Rating:  23/25

History:

Aasvoëlkrans is Afrikaans for Vulture Cliff.  The origin of the name is unknown; there are no vulture colonies in the immediate vicinity of the cave today.

Last modified on 2011/11/10