20-24 March 2025
MAFADI PEAK
Highlights
Breathtaking Views
Summit the majestic Mafadi Peak (3450 m above sea level).
Outdoor Adventure
Camp under the star-studded African sky.
Unwind in Nature
Plunge in at Marble Bath Rock Pools.
Cost
ZAR 8590 per person
Subject to an annual increase; no refunds. BOOK NOW to secure your place! Limited to 14 people.
Reaching the Drakensberg’s escarpment summit is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This four-day hike is proper expedition-style where all the necessary hiking and camping gear will be required. This is the Drakensberg at its best: rugged, tough, isolated, spectacular, and yet satisfying.
The Drakensberg/Maluti mountain range spreads across two Southern African countries: South Africa and Lesotho. This range is home to both of Southern Africa’s highest peaks: Thabana Ntlenyana (Maluti) in Lesotho stands at a height of 3 482 m and Mafadi peak in South Africa at a height of 3446 m.
The Drakensberg escarpment stretches for over 1000 km from the Eastern Cape province in the south to the Free State in the north, with KwaZulu-Natal in the middle. It forms the border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape as well as the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal.
The Drakensberg has been listed as home of the one of the highest waterfalls in the world and the highest in the African continent. Thukela Falls (Tugela Falls) has a combined total drop of its five distinct free-leaping falls of 948 m. Depending on sources, it is either the highest or second highest in the world.
Package includes
- Hike, tent, food & guides
- Bus transfers (From Jozi & return)
- Dinner, bed & breakfast at
Monks Cowl Gooderson Resort - Shower facilities at Injisuthi Camp (before departure)
- Your donation to our cause
Transport
Own drive or carpool (approx. 5 hours from Johannesburg).
- Self-Drive
- Carpool
- Transfer
- *Preference to be arranged individually
Tour Operator
Umphafa Berg Tours and their team of skilled guides will lead Kusudi La members on the expedition. Click here for more information.
Members Only
Click here to join our Hiking Club
Packing List
1x HIKING BOOTS
1x LIGHT SHOES FOR AROUND CAMP (SANDALS)
PAIR OF SOCKS & UNDERWEAR FOR EACH DAY
2x HIKING PANTS
1x PAIR OF WATERPROOFED TROUSERS
1x HIKING SHIRT
1x RAIN JACKET
2x FLEECE JACKETS
1x BEANIE & SUNHAT
1x WARM GLOVES
1.5L BLADDER OR WATER BOTTLES
1x HEADLAMP WITH SPARE BATTERIES
1x SUNSCREEN
1x SUNGLASSES
1x TREKKING POLES
1x BATH KIT
1x POWER BANK
Itinerary
20 MAR: Day 1
Day 1: Johannesburg to Monks Cowl Gooderson Resort
We will leave Johannesburg at 8am and drive to the Monks Cowl Gooderson Resort which will take about 5 hours. We will have a briefing with our guides from Umphafa Berg Tours at 5pm followed by dinner and then off to bed for an early night.
21 MAR: Day 2
Day 2: Injisuthi Camp to Centenary Hut (14 km)
We will drive to meet our guides from Umphafa Berg Tours at Injisthuti Camp at 9am where we will double check the backpacks to ensure all hikers have the necessary equipment for the trek. A big and long-awaited day starts gently at an altitude of 1200 m. We will make our way along a gentler trail and terrain than if we had followed and crossed the rivers. There will be incredible views of The Trojan wall, Injisuthi Triplets, Molars, Injisuthi Greater & Lesser Buttress. The end goal is to climb far along the contour path, part of the “Little Berg” and camp next to Centenary Hut where we will enjoy the views while the sun sets.
22 MAR: Day 3
Day 3: Centenary Hut to Top of Judge’s Pass (12 km)
The sun rises against the beautiful mountain landscape. The day starts on the contour path and we begin our ascent. The day progresses as we make our way up to the top of Judge’s Pass where we will camp next to Lesotho river.
23 MAR: Day 4
Day 4: Mafadi Summit to Marble Baths Camp (15 km)
A big day lies ahead as we will climb to the summit of Mafadi. Day 2 will have allowed us to acclimatise so the day will not be too difficult, but will be long. We will summit and then proceed to Leslie’s Pass which will take us down to the Marble Bath Pools, where it’s warmer and the waters are revitalising and enticing.
24 MAR: Day 5
Day 5: Marble Bath Camp to Injisuthi Hutted Camp (8 km)
We call it a lazy day as we start walking to the finishing point later than the previous three days. You will have time to do your water slides and bath at the marble pools. After breakfast, we will continue following the Injisuthi (little Tugela River) contour along to our last river crossing. We will end back at Injisuthi camp where we can shower before hitting the road back home.
Get involved
We are a registered non-profit social enterprise that uses adventure to raise funds for the care and well-being of all living creatures. We are a fundraising organisation and identify specific beneficiaries and projects each year that align with our purpose.
General enquiries:
ask@kusudi-la.com
Hiking Club:
hikingclub@kusudi-la.com
Kilimanjaro & Morocco:
stephanie@kusudi-la.com
Call us: +27 82 388 3432