Cathedral Peak Drakensberg
Aug 05, 2022
We have found Chalets to be more popular than camping in the Drakensberg and this is the only choice here: Didima lies within the Cathedral Peak valley of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. It is set in the foothills, offering stunning views onto the towering peaks of the ‘Berg, and is surrounded by scenically beautiful grasslands, streams, waterfalls and craggy cliffs.
Didima celebrates the now-lost culture of the San people and captures an element of their oneness with nature. The accommodation style and layout follow a symbolic expression of the San (or Bushmen) culture and way of life.
The Cathedral Peak area is a hiker’s paradise, offering routes ranging from a few hours to several days of walking, hiking, camping and adventure.
The nature of our Drakensberg visits is more relaxed than the hiking trails we do since daily hikes are organised for the whole group but you are free to follow the many paths yourselves and similarly spend time with your surrounding friends, have a meal at Didima restaurant or visit the Cathedral Peak hotel for a meal or drinks (but don't bank on the hotel over a long week-end).
Drakensberg Hiking Trails at Cathedral Peak Hotel
With all this in mind there is time to plan which Chalet to choose and with whom you share your reservation.
Monday is not a public holiday so you will have to take leave. You may want to stay 3 nights instead of 4. Representative costs:
When paying for your 2 person Chalet you are taking half of one of these units as shown. There is an inter-leading door which can be unlocked providing a very pleasant 4 person living space so you may want to consider with whom you make your booking. We have taken 17A with the kitchen @ R5600 and friends take 17B without kitchen @ R4800. The booking procedure is then as follows:
- Make your reservation at 033 845-1000
- You will receive a booking Reference Number.
- Phone Didema at 036 488 8000 and ask them to allocate your choice of Chalet ( if still available) to your Reference Number
- Let me have this Reference Number ggstacey@hotmail.com so I know that you are coming together with names, surnames and cell numbers of all you have booked for allowing me to add you to the WhatsApp group. This is also important for your safety enabling you to communicate with us on the mountain.
- Specify the Sunday hikes or trails you have managed with ease and who would like to join Sherman's cave to Peak experience described below: ggstacey@hotmail.com.
If this sounds all too comfortable for you then you're in good company. I have booked Shermans cave for Saturday night for a sleep in the dirt with cold waterfall showers and a magnificent sunrise awakening and I will prepare a meal and plenty of coffee for you. Limited to 10, its for early bookers wanting to attempt the Peak. (you may even be able to use this as a cost saving measure, climbing to Shermans after driving on Saturday)
Can you climb Magaliesberg three times in a day? Then you will manage Cathedral Peak:
And this is your playground:
Remember
Good hiking shoes, hat, sun block, at least 2lt of water, snacks