Drakensberg reflections

Meadow flowers

Helichrysums in bloom

Pink watsonias in Drakensberg

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Women’s Drakensberg Wildflower Trails

A women’s walking retreat with wine, nature & mountain comfort.

South Africa

8 Days from

$3990 USD

Trip Code: WTDK

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single supplement

$460 USD

Duration

8 Days

Activities

Day Walking
Women's Adventure

Accommodation

7 nights lodges in Drakensburg

Meals

5 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

4 / 10

Introductory to Moderate

Trip highlights

Explore the wildflower rich grasslands and valleys of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Drakensberg Mountains
Stay in elegant lodges, where comfort, cuisine, and mountain views are all part of the experience
Enjoy gentle, guided walks through rewilded landscapes, forested ridgelines, and flower studded meadows
Sample local wine and seasonal produce, with relaxed meals shared in beautiful locations
Share a nature based retreat with like-minded women, designed for those who enjoy fine food, fresh air and flowers

Overview

Celebrate South Africa’s wildflower season on a women’s walking tour that embraces natural beauty, good company, and the comfort of beautifully located lodges. Timed to coincide with the Drakensberg’s floral bloom, this relaxed walk travels through rewilded grasslands, forested ridgelines and the soaring peaks of the World Heritage listed Drakensberg Mountains. An expert walking guide brings the trail to life and help you spot orchids, arum lilies, crocosmia, and colourful alpine blooms. This tour stays in handpicked lodges chosen for their beauty, charm and atmosphere and with options for creative downtime or spa treatments (not included).

This trip is graded introductory to moderate, with daily walks ranging approximately 5 to 15km (3 to 9 miles) on established but sometimes rocky or uneven trails. As we return to comfortable lodge accommodation each night, you’ll only carry a light daypack. The lodge based format also gives our guide the flexibility to adapt each day’s walk to the group’s energy levels and the weather, drawing from a wide range of nearby trails. There’s also the option to skip a day’s walk and simply enjoy some quiet time relaxing at the lodge.

Itinerary

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Leave the city behind for the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where rolling hills give way to vines and valley views. Our first stop is a local gem, a scenic wine estate nestled in the heart of the Midlands, known for its small batch, 100% estate grown wines. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxed tasting in the elegant cellar and lunch. A short vineyard stroll completes the experience before we continue inland toward the Drakensberg foothills. We arrive at our mountain retreat in the tranquil Kamberg Valley. Surrounded by open grasslands and forested ridges, this stylish lodge offers inviting spaces to unwind. Overnight: Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg

Meals: L,D

Wake to birdsong and enjoy a wholesome breakfast before our first guided walk through the rewilded grasslands that surround the lodge. These landscapes are alive with seasonal wildflowers with your guide sharing stories of the region’s unique ecology, and ongoing conservation work. Lunch is taken back at the lodge with a free afternoon to relax, take a dip in the pool, or curl up with a book and the mountain view. Overnight: Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg

Meals: B,L,D

Morning relaxation, or optional walk before we bud farewell to our peaceful lodge and begin the journey north. Today’s drive is a scenic one, winding past farmlands and up into the dramatic folds of the Drakensberg Mountains. Crossing the Oliviershoek Pass, the soft hills of the Midlands give way to steeper basalt cliffs and alpine ridgelines. Our lodge base for the next 3 nights is tucked into a forested valley beneath the Amphitheatre escarpment and offers sweeping views across the northern Drakensberg. After lunch on the terrace, we’ll head out on an introductory nature walk on the look out for wildflowers including watsonias, red hot pokers, pelargoniums, wild gladiolus, and orchids. Overnight: The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa

Meals: B,L,D

From our lodge, we step straight into the floral richness of the Northern Drakensberg, a World Heritage listed region where dramatic escarpments cradle wildflower filled valleys. Todays walk will be a full day, heading higher up the mountain for sweeping views. We may might spot berg lilies, everlastings, violets and orchids among the grasses. Birdlife is abundant too, with prinia, sunbirds and vultures. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the wild air. There is free time back at the lodge with optional treatments at the onsite spa. Overnight: The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa

Meals: B,L,D

A range of walking and wellness options designed to suit your pace and energy are on offer today. If you're keen to head deeper into the mountains, join a scenic walk to a nearby waterfall, following a trail that winds through shady tree fern forests and mossy rock outcrops. Prefer to slow down? Stay at the lodge and enjoy the views, take a swim or spa, or stretch with some yoga. Overnight: The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa

Meals: B,L,D

Our destination is Clarens, a beloved small town nestled between the Rooiberge and Maluti Mountains in South Africa’s Eastern Free State. Often called the “Jewel of the Free State,” Clarens blends striking natural scenery with a creative, village charm. It’s a haven for artists and makers, with more than 20 galleries and a trove of boutiques, bookstores and craft shops set against sandstone cliffs and wide open skies. Here we are based in Clarens town with easy access to enjoy the shops, cafes and art galleries. Overnight: The Protea Hotel by Marriott, Clarens

Meals: B,L

We begin the day with a morning walk through the grasslands of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, just a short drive from Clarens. These sweeping montane meadows are home to alpine wildflowers, including bellflowers, and bright yellow starworts. Spend the rest of the day exploring Clarens, perhaps following the Art Route, browse shops and markets, or sitting in a sun dappled cafe. Overnight: The Protea Hotel by Marriott, Clarens

Meals: B

After a final relaxed breakfast in Clarens, we begin our drive back to Durban with time to reflect on the landscapes and beauty of the past week. The trip concludes on arrival in Durban mid afternoon, for evening onward travel or an overnight stay in Durban. If you would like assistance booking flights, or accommodation in Durban, we will be happy to help. Drive: 5 hours

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What's included?

Included

Expert local guide Shaen Adey
7 nights boutique lodges in Drakensburg
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
Vineyard tour, tasting and lunch at Highgate Wine Estate
National park and conservation fees
Private transport throughout

Not included

Flights
Travel Insurance
Visas
Single supplement - when staying in your own room
Pre &/or post tour night in Durban, - we can assist in booking this for you
Spa treatments
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
Items of a personal nature
Tips

About your guide

Shaen Adey is a qualified mountain guide and Level 3 Wilderness First Aider with over 30 years of experience leading walks and nature-based journeys in South Africa and abroad. Raised near the Drakensberg, where her grandfather authored Wild Flowers of the Drakensberg. Based in Cape Town, she has guided extensively across Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and further afield in destinations such as Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro, the Atlas Mountains, Japan and New Zealand. Her calm, encouraging style helps guests of all backgrounds feel safe, supported and at ease in nature. A trained photographer and lifelong creative, Shaen has a storyteller’s eye and a deep respect for the natural world.