Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve

Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve is in Northern Drakensberg, South Africa.

Understand

Monks Cowl Nature Reserve is named after the peak between Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle. It is part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site and it also the entry point to the Mlambonja and Mdedelo Wilderness Area.

• KZN Wildlife Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve, ☏ + 27 36 468 1103. Central Reservations: ☏ +27 33 845 1000. Online booking. (updated Jan 2023)

Get in

You can choose to rent a car either from Johannesburg or Durban to get to the reserve. Drive slowly and keep your eyes on the road. It is not recommended to drive around late in the night because of potholes, darkness due to low number of street lights.

Fees and permits

Entrance gates to the reserve are open daily between 6AM - 6PM.

See

Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve offers a great number of hiking trails with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys.

• 1 Sterkspruit Waterfall. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Nandi Falls. One of the less challenging trails. Beautiful views up to Cathkin Peak with a few rock pools along the route which makes it worthwhile. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Keith Bush camp. A seven-hour hike from Monk's cowl, when the path to Blindman's Corner is taken, then along the contour path to Hlatikulu Neck. You then follow the path into the river valley, heading to the river and following its course until the base of Gray's Pass, now to the Keith Bush camp which is close by. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

Monk's Cowl is an ideal place for camping, hiking, day walks. There is a Mountain Rescue Register that must be completed before you start your hike. Make sure you sign out again when you return. It is advisable to get well equipped because the weather can change suddenly and become very cold.

• Day hikes. Day hikes and walks comprise routes that are graded from easy to difficult and take you through the foothills and river valleys to places like Sterkspruit Falls, the Gorge, Nandi Falls, or up the Sphinx onto the little berg. Day hikes and walks range from a one-hour round trip to six hours. (updated Dec 2022)
• Overnight hikes. Overnight hiking routes extend deep into valleys and forests of the central Drakensberg and up onto the main cliff, ensuring a pure wilderness experience with breath-taking views and scenery. Hiking routes vary from a few hours to several days and provide sufficient diversity to accommodate all levels of experience and fitness. Bookings must be made in advance. (updated Dec 2022)

Buy

• 1 Oaks supermarket. It is a 10-minute walk from the reserve. (updated Dec 2022)

Drink

• 1 Tea Garden (near the campsite at the entrance to the reserve). 6AM-3:30PM. It offers tea and coffee and menu of light meals served as take-aways, or you can sit down and enjoy the view. (updated Dec 2022)

Sleep

Lodging

• 1 Mackaya Bella Country Lodge, Farm Rood, Portion 3 , R600 Cathkin Park, Cathkin Park (the road to the lodge is 3 km of farm road, dirt and concrete strips). Entry to the lodge is on a Farm Road, concrete strips and dirt, not suitable for cars with a low ground clearance. It is advisable and recommended to come with high rise vehicles. R850 per night. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 iKhayalamafu (The House in the Clouds), ☏ +27 734816331, ricky@ikhayalamafu.com. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Drakensberg Dream Cottages, Drakensberg Dream (Wostjin) Estate Cathkin Park. Drakensberg Dream Cottages is less than 2 km from Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve. R740 per night. (updated Jan 2023)
• 4 Inkosana Berg Lodge, Winterton, ☏ +27 368800090, toll-free: +27 812088322, bookings@inkosana.co.za. Offers breakfast, Lunch and cocktails which can be enjoyed in the dining area with stunning views of the reserve. It has accommodation to suit the solo traveler, couples and families. Pets are allowed. R550-R995. (updated Jan 2023)

Camping

Camping facilities are available within the reserve.The campsite has two ablution blocks in which one has showers with hot and cold water while the other has only toilets. Fires are not allowed due to the danger associated with out of control fires, so you have to bring along your hiking stoves. You can book campsites and caves directly with the camp office.

Stay safe

People on the trails are very friendly and they will offer advice if you need it. All shops and restaurants require a mask and sanitizer spray before entry.