The Cavern is a Site of Conservation Significance, an honour given to only those few sites in South Africa that qualify by virtue of outstanding natural features. The Cavern Nature Trail has been constructed to present most of these to visitors. It begins near the 70s block and follows well-used paths that link points of […]
Colleen Hamer, teacher and painting enthusiast, will be running the courses. Art is her passion. The venue for this painting holiday is superb, The Cavern’s relaxed, friendly hospitality and superb cuisine is legendary and our studio is spacious, convenient with windows on three sides. You may sketch and paint out-of-doors in safe surrounds or can
For the past couple of months the big pines above Charlesworth Dam have concealed a mystery creature. The evidence has been a series of wails, screeches and other spooky noises. Suggestions have ranged from mating bushpigs to Tokoloshes. Because of the steepness of the slope investigation is not easy, but a large bird has appeared
This is the closest cousin of the Olive Thrush, so familiar in The Cavern garden. Normally the Karoo Thrush is found in the Karoo and on the Highveld, and is common in Jo’burg gardens. Imagine our surprise when one was seen pulling worms out of the lawn near the bowling green.
Secretary birds are often associated with big game reserves, but they are actually very widespread. Almost any open country will do, the Drakensberg included. A typical territory size is about ten square kilometres. The Cavern has a resident pair, often to be seen striding purposefully on the hillside leading to Camel’s Hump. They are looking
The ground hornbill is the largest of all African hornbills. It is a huge black bird with a bright red face; in flight large white wing panels are obvious. As the name suggests, it spends most of its time graciously strolling around. Unlike other hornbills it is entirely carnivorous, eating large insects and other invertebrates,
GRADE: S TIME: ½ hour, return or round trip DISTANCE: 1.5 km TERRAIN: Undulating well-marked path. Top Gate is the starting point. Take the path right, leading past the football field. Keep left, going uphill, where the path forks at the Gate. The Wattle Dam will be on the left in front of you &
GRADE: S TIME: 1 hour, return or round trip DISTANCE: 1.5 km TERRAIN: Undulating well-marked path. Starting point is above the Spa – The Putterills weir path. Follow the path on an easy gradient through the Fern Forest, crossing the stream several times. You will pass May’s Falls and cross the river once more. The
GRADE: S TIME: 1 hour, return or round trip DISTANCE: 1.5 km TERRAIN: Undulating well-marked path. Top Gate is the starting point. Take the path left, through the Pine Trees and the old jeep track towards Cowslip Falls Dam. Walk along the dam wall then left for a short distance and then immediately right. The
GRADE: S TIME: 1 hour, return or round trip DISTANCE: 1 km TERRAIN: Undulating well-marked path. The starting point is the car park behind the 70s block. There is an information board here with details of the trail, and many more information boards at points of particular interest along the way. Walk up the mowed
