Here we will be going for a couple of days in the Little Berg. It’s like paradise in summer. Walking is usually of moderate intensity on well defined and maintained footpaths. Our main objective is to hang out as much as possible in the valleys below the escarpment. It’s hot, so you can have a ball in all the rivers and rock pools along the way. The weather is usually also a lot more suited for opportunities to overnight in caves en route to the next destination. Due to frequent intense lightning, thunderstorms and downpours, camping out in the Little Berg gives us a break from all this. During high summer the Little Berg is vibrant, and comes alive with the abundance of water, fauna and flora.

Hands down the best time of the whole year to hike in the Drakensberg. Here we want to maximise our time on the escarpment, simply because of the very favourable weather conditions. Typically, this hike will take the shape of an expedition. Like summiting a major peak along the way, spending a few more nights out there, and traversing longer stretches of the escarpment. Temperatures are mild, conditions calm, water is still abundant, the hills are still green and generally, you’re not being pounded by lightning, thunderstorms and downpours. Best time of the year to take on the big one, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse.

You might wonder why you would want to head out to the Berg when it is so cold, dry and arid out there. Well, those are the exact reasons you do want to head for the hills. The cold is something to experience, yes, but it allows for very suitable walking conditions. The mornings and afternoons are usually very calm and cool. Great for walking. Early morning and late afternoon colouring is spectacular, excellent for taking those champion photos. And of course, the prospect of snow is absolutely a major attraction.

We’re heading for the Berg simply because a dull landscape is moving into full bloom again. Experience the landscape going green, those large red flowers of the Glossy Bottlebrush and of course, those really pretty rosettes of the Highveld and Common Proteas. That is just to name a few. Temperatures are mild and generally very good for walking. It’s a time of contrast where the dull and dry makes way for the vibrant and green.