South Africa · Culture

Drakensberg Giants Castle Cave Art And Nelson Mandela Capture Site

11 Hours Round trip from Emangidini Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Giant’s Castle Reserve in the Drakensberg
  • 02 See well-preserved San rock art in sandstone caves
  • 03 Enjoy a 30-minute easy scenic walk to the cave paintings
  • 04 Stop at Pietermaritzburg City Hall and the Gandhi statue
  • 05 Visit Howick Falls on the Umgeni River
  • 06 Explore the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Museum
  • 07 Take in sweeping views of valleys and grassy highlands

Discover a full-day journey through KwaZulu-Natal that combines dramatic mountain scenery, ancient rock art, and powerful modern history. Travel from Pietermaritzburg toward the Drakensberg to visit Giant’s Castle Reserve, where a short scenic walk leads to sandstone caves featuring well-preserved San rock art and insights into the lives of the San and Khoe-khoe people.

The day also includes a stop at Howick Falls and a visit to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Museum, home to the striking sculpture commemorating a pivotal moment in South African history. With cultural heritage, natural beauty, and guided interpretation along the way, this tour offers a rewarding look at some of the region’s most meaningful landmarks.

Giant’s Castle Reserve has a set of sandstone caves which have been turned into an outdoor museum.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Pietermaritzburg, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve
Languages English, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Drakensberg Giants Castle Cave Art And Nelson Mandela Capture Site

 he tour starts off with a visit to Pietermaritzburg,the capital of KwaZulu Natal. There we will stop by Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere.There we will visit the Gandhi statue also before we head towards the Drakensberg mountains.  

We head towards the Giants Castle Reserve in Drakensburg Mountain range. Conveniently built high on the front of the Drakensberg, Giant's Castle camp is surrounded by beautiful landscape, deep valleys and grassy highlands which presents tourists with spectacular unforgettable views. 

Giant’s Castle Reserve has a set of sandstone caves which have been turned into an outdoor museum. The San Rock Art depicts life of the San and Khoe-khoe people who lived in South Africa for 1000s of years before Bantu and European migration. Both considered ‘hunters and gatherers’, the San were more
nomadic that the Khoe-khoe, who started to herd cattle when introduced by the bantu people who migrated from central Africa. The San and the Khoe-khoe used
rock art to communicate their story between clans and people.

 Giants Castle’s caves is one of the best maintained Cave Rock Sites in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. The site has been developed for tourism and offers guided tours on the hour from 9am – 3pm daily. Only 30 minutes from the camp the leisurely trail offers guests an original cultural experience and a spectacular landscape
adventure. The local guide will elaborate and display the history and culture behind some of the best-preserved artwork by the San people.  

Next stop will be the small town of Howick to visit its waterfall. KwaNogqaza or Howick Falls is approximately 95 m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The local Zulu people named it the “Home of the Tall” referring to its height. Next to the falls lies a quaint old section of Howick which has a selection of historical museums and antique stores to visit.    

 Next is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Capture Site boasts a large sculpture of Nelson Mandela made up of multiply steel columns which stand between 6 and 9 metres tall. Tourists at the Capture Site are required to stand 35 meters away from the large Nelson Mandela bust for it to come into clear focus. Facing west the impressive sculpture creates a uniquely beautiful landscape for the local Howick community. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid government.  

Tour Itinerary:

· Drakensberg Giants Castle Nature Reserve.  

· 30 minutes easy scenic walk to the sandstone cave paintings. 

· Guided tour of the Sandstone cave paintings of the San people. 

· Howick Falls.  

· Nelson Mandela’s Capture Site and Museum.   

   

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Emangidini 3 cities · 11 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional tour guide,
  • Entry/Admission - Giants Castle Game Reserve,
  • Entry/Admission - Nelson Mandela Capture Site

What's Not Included

  • Lunch (drinks & food) : however opportunity is provided to buy something to eat.

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide.
  • For special pick-up arrangement contact
  • If the last minutes booking is before 5:00 pm, kindly contact by email.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • We also do pick-up at the Durban Passenger Cruise Terminal, Richards Bay Passsenger Cruise Terminal or any pick-up at a 5km radius of Tropicana hotel
  • Not wheelchair accessible.
  • Near public transportation.
  • Infant seats available.
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
  • Prices vary by group size and are priced per person, per your booking for your group

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Emangidini, ZA
Tour start
Emangidini, ZA
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 11 hours finish where they began, in Emangidini.

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