Finally got some time alone to just hike in the Drakensberg alone and see if I could find some undiscovered San Rock art. Well, I made my own path (Not recommended unless experienced).
Tripping over hidden rocks and slippy grass, I got a really good fright as I approached a Rocky area. Before I knew it a Porcupine (Nocturnal, largest Rodent in Southern Africa) came charging out from a split in the rocks.
The real fright for me as at first it appeared to be coming right out at me!
Well, nothing like a Rodent giving an experience Big 5 trails guide the fright of his life. “Laugh”, I have been used to Lions, Leopards, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo fulfilling that role.
Well, I continued on my descent up the steep mountain slope and eventually made it to a cliff overhang where I could get some rest as I was puffing and blowing… Clearly not as fit as I used to be!
In hindsight I probably should have waited till I caught my breath before making the video clip of the views, but whatever!
It was a really cool spot and I really thought I had a chance of finding some San Rock art in the shelter. I unfortunately did not but what I found was pretty cool.
Among the rocks and foliage were Eland antelope tracks which meant that they had been using this cliff overhang as shelter possibly at night or during the hotter parts of the day. I was super stoked!
As I shuffled around I spotted Porcupine droppings and some Quills, (so I figured I might as well film it) and explain how we know its Porcupine droppings.
I wandered around the rocky outcrop and spotted another Porcupine! This time it wasn’t charging at me so I filmed it as I slowly approached. When it decided it was not feeling comfortable enough with my presence it rustled off giving me a really good look at it.
I realized I had actually wandered quite far from where I had left from the campsite and knew I would need to get back before it got dark to start the Braai. (Barbeque) So I began the slippy slide back down the mountain to the camp, en route, I decided to swing by the rocky spot where my heart had stopped for a second, where I had been charged by a Porcupine (to make it sound more manly). I did not see him this time unfortunately but he was probably keeping an eye on me after the fright we both got on my way up.
There were some really beautiful views and as I had made my own path up and down the Mountain I spotted more than usual, small streams, plants, dung and of course the Porcupines!
We have some really lovely trails in the Drakensberg Mountains that can be accessed from Durban, 3 hour’s drive away. The Mountain holds many clues as to how the true indigenous South Africans (San people) lived. How their rituals were performed, what tools they created, what food they ate, and how they hunted.
My tour company Tim Brown Tours which is based in Durban offers a range of different Drakensberg mountain tours, from Hikes/Walks to San rock art where an interpretation is conducted and one being an amazing scenic tour over the mountain into Lesotho where we stop at the highest Pub in Africa at 2874 meters above sea level!
We also get to visit a family’s home to learn a bit more about the Culture of the Basotho people who are from Lesotho and speak Sesotho.
#Kotso #Nala #Phula
If you are interested feel free to check out our website www.timbrowntours.com
or drop us an email [email protected]
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