Didima Camp – Northern Drakensberg
Didima Camp
The luxurious Didima Camp at Cathedral Peak, open since the end of 2002, is themed around the art of the San people. The San Art Interpretive Centre, opened in 2003, provides fascinating insights into San art and culture and includes static displays and audio-visual presentations featuring a reconstructed cave covered with accurate reproductions of actual San Art sites.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Didima comprises various 2-, 4-, and 6-bed chalets, with the camp able to sleep 140 guests at a time.
More about Didima & Surrounds
Bordering on the upper Thukela area in the north and east, Lesotho in the west, and Monk’s Cowl in the south, this section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is 32 000 hectares in extent. Containing the magnificent Didima Valley with its many examples of San Rock art, it is a hiker’s paradise offering routes ranging from a few hours to several days.
For visitors less inclined to physical activity or whose time is limited, Mike’s Pass provides an opportunity to drive to the top of the Little Berg near the head of Didima Gorge for spectacular views of the main escarpment and surrounding lowlands.
While hiking, a wide selection of plants and animals can be seen in the extensive grasslands and forest patches characteristic of this part of the Berg.
Overhead, the effortless flight of a Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer) may be spotted, while closer at hand Malachite sunbirds flash from protea to protea. A noisy troop of baboons may bark at intruders in their domain, and a family of Mountain Reedbuck may display their white tails as they race up a nearby slope.
Facilities
Reception Hours
- Office and shop open 07h00 – 19h00 daily.
- Check-in from 14h00.
- Check-out before 10h00.
- Charges include gate entry fee, community levy, and rescue levy.
Gate Opening and Closing Times
- Open 24/7.
- Room keys can be collected from security after hours.
Facilities for Guests
- Shop (curios, limited supplies)
- Restaurant (all meals)
- Bar and Smoking Lounge (DSTV)
- Wedding Chapel
- Conference facility
- Swimming pool with gazebo
- Tennis courts
- San Art Interpretive Centre
- Hiking trails
- Petrol from Cathedral Peak Hotel
People with Disabilities
- Wheelchair access to main building, one 2-bed chalet, and the 6-bed bungalow.
- San Rock Art Centre is wheelchair friendly.
Special Precautions
- Weather changes quickly; hikers must be prepared.
- Mountain Rescue Register must be completed before hikes.
- No malaria risk.
Directions
- From N3, take Winterton / Colenso off-ramp.
- At Winterton, turn left at Engen and follow signs to Cathedral Peak.
- Didima is 40 km from Winterton (tarred road).
- 250 km from Durban; 400 km from Johannesburg.
Didima Camp – Walks
RAINBOW GORGE – 4 HOURS RETURN
- Start at the Conference Centre and follow the signs up the hill.
- Turn left at the first junction and follow the path to the Gorge.
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Walking time: 3 hours return
- Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
DOREE FALLS – 2 HOURS RETURN
- Park at the “Hikers Parking” next to the hotel boom gate.
- Go up “steps”, bear right, up the hill, then down to Nhlonhlo River (do not cross).
- Keep to the pathway on the left going up the river.
- At the sign for Cleft Peak/Contour Path and Doreen Falls, turn right, cross river, turn sharp left up steps.
BABOON ROCK – 4 HOURS RETURN
- Park at the “Hikers Parking” next to the Hotel boom gate.
- Walk up to the road for 150 m.
- Follow the Golf Club sign, cross the river, and walk up past the Golf Club House.
- Keep left up the hill, walk above golf green number one, pick up the path going right to Baboon Rock.
- Caution: Steep rock faces in places.
- Return the same way.
MUSHROOM ROCK – 4 HOURS RETURN
- Follow path as for Doreen Falls, but do not turn left to Doreen Falls.
- Continue another 750 m to sign pointing left up to Mushroom Rock.
- Distance: 8 km
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Note: Section of path is dangerous.
NEPTUNE’S POOLS, MARBLE BATHS, XENI CAVE AND BLUE POOLS – 5 HOURS RETURN
- Park at the “Hikers Parking” and follow signs.
- Blue Pools: 1.5 km
- Neptune’s Pools & Xeni Cave: 5 km further up river
- From Neptune’s Pools, continue to Marble Baths.
MHLWAZINI / NDEDEMA HIKE – 4 HOURS RETURN
Note: Minimum charge for drop-off applies.
Pick-up and drop-off available at reception.
From the first cattle grid, follow jeep track to Solar Cliffs Game Guard outpost.
Follow footpath up river to campsite.
What time is breakfast at Didima Camp?
From 07h00 to 0h00.
Does Didima Camp supply free firewood?
No, guests must either buy firewood from the gift shop or en-route to Didima Camp.
Does Didima Camp supply free coffee, milk, sugar and tea in all rooms?
No, guests need to supply their own coffee, sugar, milk, and tea.
Do all rooms have double beds?
No, if guests require double beds, they need to request a double bed when making their online reservation.
Can I request room numbers?
Room numbers can be requested, but not guaranteed.
Can I arrive after office hours?
Yes, room keys can be collected from security staff
Can I check in early?
An early check-in is only possible if housekeeping has finished cleaning your room by the time you arrive.
What time do the gate’s close?
The entrance gate is open 24/7
Does price include breakfast?
Yes, rates include complimentary breakfast.
Should I book dinner ahead of arrival?
It is advisable to book and pay for dinners on arrival as it cost substantially more to book ahead of time.
Does the restaurant at Didima Camp serve lunch?
Yes, the restaurant is open days a week for lunch.
Is there WiFi at Didima Camp?
The signal is poor and is best at the reception desk area.
Is there a fence around Didima Camp?
No, Didima Camp does its best to offer uninterrupted views.
Is there public transport or shuttles to and from Didima Camp?
No, guests will have to arrange their own transport.
What time does Didima Camp reception office open and close?
08h00 – 16h00 (daily)
Do you provide maps and information about hiking trails at the Camp?
Hiking trails map can be purchased on arrival.
Could you email us some information about possible hikes in advance?
All hikes are self-guided and booked on arrival.
If we would like to go with a guide, would we have to arrange that in advance?
All hikes are self-guided and community-based guides can be booked on arrival.
Are there some signed trails which are easy to find? Or is it advisable to go with a guide?
All trails are on the trails map and I would recommend a local community guide in the event that you are doing a long day hike.
Do we have to think of anything special (besides rain jacket, hiking shoes, sun cream)?
The camp provides bedding linen, towels, and cooking utensils in the self-catering chalets. Everything else you need to provide.
Do you provide anything in the self-catering chalets like salt, pepper, oil or would we have to bring everything?
You would need to provide all consumables
