Giant's Castle Game Reserve
Guide to accommodation descriptions
Location of Giant's Castle in KwaZulu-Natal
Mountain Destinations
Giant's Castle Game Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Game Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Berg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Superb rock art is high among its special attractions.
Giant’s Castle was declared a game reserve in 1903 to protect the dwindling herds of eland that seasonally migrated between the higher slopes of the Berg and the sweeter grasses of the thornveld plains below. Eland are regularly spotted here today as they roam the mountain flanks along with blesbuck, oribi, reedbuck, duiker and large troops of baboons.
Giant’s Castle Reserve offers wonderful range of hikes for the fit and not so fit.
There is an easy walking trail on the banks of the river nearby, with facilities to accommodate wheelchairs and blind people.
Visit the Lammergeyer Hide where these rare and magnificent birds of prey can be seen riding the thermals, as well as Jackal Buzzards, Cape Vultures, Black Eagles and Lanner Falcons. Bookings for this popular hide are essential. The nearby Crane Foundation will be of interest to bird lovers.
Accommodation
Giant's Castle Game Reserve in the central region of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park takes its name from the silhouette of the peaks and escarpment that resemble the profile of a sleeping giant.
Wild flowers of the Drakensberg is the design theme of Giant's Castle Camp and Rock Lodge and original botanical paintings feature in all the chalets and lodge buildings.
Chalets 2-bed
- en-suite facilities, a lounge/dining area and fully appointed kitchens.
- Satellite TV.
Chalets 3-bed
- 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge/dining area and a fully equipped kitchen.
- Satellite TV.
Chalets 6-bed
- 3 bedrooms, one bathroom(separate toilet), a lounge/dining area and a fully appointed kitchen.
- Satellite TV.
Facilities
- Rock Lodge
- mini conference and wellness centre
- offers a variety of activities and tours
- wedding venue
- Izimbali restaurant and bar
- Vulture hide allows unique birding in winter inclusively from May to September
- Main Caves Museum gives an insight into the past life of the San People
- a half hour walk from the camp.
- Shop that sells a wide range of curios and supplies
- Facilities for people with disabilities: A 2 bed chalet.
Extra Information
- Special Precautions
- The weather is subject to change at short notice
- Hikers must be well equipped as it can get extremely cold.
- Hikers must also fill in their details in the Mountain Rescue Register
- The nearest town which has a full range of services is Estcourt which is 65 kms away.
- Pets are not permitted into the reserve
Gate Times
| Gate Times | Summer (Oct-Mar) |
Winter (Apr-Sep ) |
| Gates Open | 05:00 | 06:00 |
| Gates Close | 19:00 | 18:00 |
Office Hours
The office is open from 08h00 to 18h00 from Monday to Saturday and from 08h00 to 16h00 on Sunday
Check in / out
Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00
