South Africa uses Type M plugs (three large round pins) and Europlug (Type C), with a standard voltage of 230 V at 50 Hz.

Universal Adapters is recommended for your packing list to ensure you can charge your devices.

March in the regions we will travel is within South Africa’s summer rainy season, characterized by warm humid days and frequent afternoon thunderstorms – especially in the Drakensberg.
Expected temperatures – High / Low: 26–27 °C (78-80 °F) / 13–15 °C (mean ~ 55–59 °F)
Expected Rainfall: 80 mm (3.1 inches) over the month of of March.
Expected Humidity: 65–80%
Sunshine / Daylight: around 7–8 h of sun daily; daylight ~ 11–12 h

Dress and pack accordingly: layer clothing for mountain mornings and evenings; bring rain gear and waterproof footwear; sun protection is essential throughout, though UV risk decreases gradually from February to April.

Essentials include: quality hiking boots, waterproof jacket, layers (for changing mountain weather), sun protection (hat, sunscreen), daypack, reusable water bottle, and swimwear if kayaking. Please also see the Packing List. (Add link to packing list)

The Drakensberg escarpment ranges from roughly 1,500m (4,920ft) to above 3,000m (9,840ft) and some peaks. Expect cool mountain mornings and evenings, with warmer midday temperatures in spring and summer; weather can shift quickly.

Your safety is our top priority, and although South Africa has both safe and high-crime areas, we will be running the trip ONLY in areas that are safe for visitors.

South Africa has both safe and high-crime areas.

Sandton is a relatively secure, well-patrolled business and tourism hub.

Rural areas like the Drakensberg are generally safe. Use common-sense precautions: be aware of pick-pocketing in crowded areas, avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight, and follow your guide’s safety instructions.

Most of the accommodation establishments will offer Wi-Fi in general areas, but don’t expect reliable connections. Usually there is no connectivity in your room. If you would like, you can buy a local SIM card (e.g., Vodacom or MTN) and get a data package valid for 7-14 days.

Johannesburg/Sandton: High-speed internet and mobile data are widely available (4G/5G).
Drakensberg area: Mobile signal can be weak, intermittent or non-existent, especially in remote valleys. Don’t expect connections during hikes or kayaking.

All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included daily unless otherwise stated.

Packed lunches are provided for active days (e.g., hikes or kayaking). For packed lunches you can expect a sandwich, 1 fresh fruit, a snack / energy bar and a juice.

A traditional potjie-kos cooking competition is included – A traditional South African potjie kos meal, cooked in a cast-iron pot, generally consists of meat, vegetables, and spices, layered and slow-cooked without stirring. The dish is characterized by its layered approach, where ingredients are added in stages, allowing flavors to meld together as it simmers over an open fire or on a stove.

We will cater for meal needs to the best of our ability, however it might be heavily dependent on availability of ingredients in rural areas. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive options are available with advance notice.

Basic snacks will be provided during the day in the form of fruit and general snacks with water.

For hiking:
Comfortable hiking boots with good grip (some rock scrambling), quick-dry socks, rain jacket, hat, and a small daypack.

For kayaking:
Water shoes or closed sandals, swimwear. 

For daily use:
A pair of trainers, sneakers or sandals.

The hike is moderate to strenuous, depending on pace and weather.
It’s around 14 km (round-trip), involves river crossings, some rock-hopping, and optional chain ladders to viewpoints.

A reasonable level of fitness, balance, and mobility is required. Guides will assist and adapt if needed. (Within reason and dependant on the rest of the groups experience)

Yes. Guests will meet local community members during the North Drakensberg Collaborative presentation, the archaeological site visit, and the cooking competition.

Be respectful and friendly: ask before taking photos, avoid flashy displays of wealth, and show genuine interest. Please do not give money to any locals.

Some basic Zulu greetings like “Sawubona” (hello) are always appreciated.

Your local guides will brief you on any specifics to be mindful of, should there be any.

Summer (Nov–Mar):
Highest flow – fed by seasonal rains. Tugela Falls is often in full cascade.

Autumn (Apr–May):
Reduced but still visible; misty falls may occur.
Note: Cloud cover can limit visibility of the falls from the gorge – clear mornings are best for viewing.

miniSASS is a citizen‑science tool developed in South Africa that lets participants assess river health by identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates in samples and scoring water quality. It’s designed to be accessible to non‑scientists, requiring no prior experience. The local team will walk you through the process before you do it.

The main roads between Johannesburg and the Drakensberg area are paved and accessible by standard vehicles.

Some access roads to lodges or activity points may be gravel and there will definitely be bumpy roads that are very rural that need expeditions vehicles.

A good level of fitness is required. Activities will be paced with regular breaks.
You should be able to hike for 2 hours intervals with a 10-15min rest period and paddle for 1 hour.
All activities are optional and you will be presented with an alternative activity where possible.

Hotels and lodges offer en-suite bathrooms with hot water and Western toilets.

During hikes/kayaking, facilities are limited and there will be no official facilities and you will ‘go’ in nature. Guides will advise on etiquette.

Campsites and picnic spots have basic toilets. Pack hand sanitizer.