GUEST COMMENTS

"Our group members were not strangers to rock art. However, we were overawed by the richness of the Bushman art in the high southern Drakensberg. Dawn's informed and sensitive comments opened our minds to what we were seeing and experiencing. The paintings are beautifully executed, the detail is remarkable and the content challenges interpretation."
S A Archaeological Society, Western & Southern Cape branch. April 2010 

The Eastern Cape Drakensberg was once home to the San, whose rock paintings are found throughout these ancient mountains. The rock art of this region is rated as some of the best in the world, the San being the first people of South Africa and especially this area. Experience well-preserved paintings in this truly unique and dynamic landscape guided by a local expert who will give you a deeper appreciation of the complexity of this fascinating and sacred art.

DAY 1 - DENORBIN & ARRIVAL
We meet in the afternoon at Denorbin Farm just above the spectacular Barkly Pass. Denorbin's site is a very large sandstone overhang with many fine-line hunter-gatherer paintings. Subject matter includes female rhebok, large eland, ritual specialists, serpents, dancing figures, as well as circle imprints believed to be made by Xhosa women drying dung on the rock surface. From Denorbin we will continue onwards to your accommodation at cosy Millard Mountain Lodge, situated on a working farm in a stunningly beautiful valley. 

DAY 2 - WARTRAIL AREA
Today we travel to three sites in the Wartrail area selected to represent key areas of understanding that have been gathered from studying rock art in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg. The first includes a well preserved depiction of a trance dance and we discuss the influence of altered states of consciousness in hunter-gatherer paintings of this area. The second and third sites are unusual for their depiction of detailed heads and geometric patterns respectively.  

DAY 3 - ANCESTRAL CAVE & CATHEDRAL CAVE
After breakfast we travel to the home of one of the first settler families in the area. Their site shows how rock art has spanned the ages and includes fine line paintings, some geometrics, circle imprints, 1820 settler descendant graffiti and 70s graffiti. After a picnic lunch we travel to Cathedral Cave - a magnificent site with very well-preserved fine-line hunter-gatherer paintings. Dinner at Millard will be a chance to reminisce on a fascinating few days experience. The following morning breakfast will be served before departure.

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
Accommodation is all provided in charming Guest Farms, each with lovely views and a unique character. Open fires, electric blankets and Esse stoves ensure that you stay cosy and warm through our snowy winters. We provide hearty breakfasts, packed lunches and delicious farmhouse-style dinners.

YOUR
GUIDES

• Dawn Green: is an archaeology honours student and research associate with UNISA. She has lived in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg for 17 years. Trained mountain guide.
  
• Jonathan Sephton: is a local farmer with in-depth knowledge of the flora, fauna and oral histories of the area. Trained mountain guide.
  
• Thapelo Mlatha, also a local, is a NQF Level 2 tourist guide and provides additional support & information.

TOTAL TOUR PRICE
R1,950 per person based on a minimum of 4 people

Includes:
 - Expert guiding
 - 3 nights comfortable farmstay accommodation
 - Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner each day

Excludes:
 - Transportation to rock art sites.

We pride ourselves on providing a flexible service and can tailor group tours to your specific requirements.

TOUR
DATES

We are able to operate rock art tours all year around. Our next scheduled tours can be found on our Calendar of Trails and Events.  If these dates don't suit your plans, then by all means contact us and we will try to accommodate your requirements.

PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT
Rock art is fragile and is protected by law. In order to protect this heritage for future generations, please act responsibly and observe the following guidelines:

• Certain sites can only be viewed in small groups at a time - please take direction from your guides
• Please stay with the group
• Remove your backpack before entering a shelter to avoid your backpack brushing against paintings
• Please do not remove any archaeological artefacts from the sites & surrounds of sites
• Move carefully so as not to generate dust
•  Do not touch or wet paintings - be aware of coughing and sneezing on paintings
• Some of the rock surfaces and descents are slippery - please be careful
• You may take as many photographs as you like - use natural light for best results.
• Help conserve our landscape - take nothing with, leave nothing behind
• We arrange loo stops, if necessary, for those in need. Please make use of the landscape responsibly