Drakensberg summer storms mostly arrive in the afternoon. Walk in the morning and you can usually have the mountain and the thunder both.
What the afternoons do
Our rainy season runs from November to March. It is what brings the Tugela Falls to life. After a good shower of rain on the mountain top, you can often see the falls from the cottage windows.
Summer afternoons here can build into thunderstorms over the escarpment, and the weather can change quickly. Not every day ends in a storm, and some arrive earlier than you would like, so treat the pattern as a guide and keep an eye on the sky.
Choosing a walk for the time you have
The rule is simple. The longer or higher the walk, the earlier you leave. Aim to be off the high ground by midday. All of these are on our hiking trails page, apart from the Gorge.
- A short morning: Krantz (2.5 km), Eland (3 km) or Cascades (3 km).
- The best view, mornings only: the Summit hike (3.5 km) takes you to the highest point on the hill. The 360-degree view is the reason to go and the reason to be down before the cloud builds.
- A longer morning: Leopards (6 km) or Echo Valley (7 km). Echo Valley is a remote part of the farm, so do not walk it alone, and speak to reception before you go.
- First thing: Otter and Zig Zag (12 km), which goes down to the Tugela River and back uphill.
- The big day out: the Gorge trail in Royal Natal (15 km), 16 km from us. Leave as early as you can. Sign the mountain register at the visitor centre before you set out and again when you get back.
Let reception know before you set off on one of the longer walks.
When to turn back
Watch for tall cloud that keeps growing, and for the sky turning dark. Storms can build quickly up here.
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Do not push on to finish the loop. Take the quickest way down and back to shelter.
If a storm catches you out
Nowhere outside is truly safe in a thunderstorm. A solid building or a hard-topped car is what you want, so keep moving towards one if you can. On the way:
- Get down off hilltops, ridges and rocky outcrops.
- Stay away from lone trees, wire fences, dams and rivers.
- Do not lie flat on the ground, and do not shelter under a cliff, a rock overhang or an open-sided shelter.
- If you are in a group, spread out so one strike cannot hit everyone.
- Do not cross a stream that is running high after rain. Turn back, or wait for it to drop.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading out again.
Pack a rain jacket and a warm layer even if the morning is hot. Berg weather can go from hot to cold in a day.
The same goes for the river and the dams.
Then enjoy the show
Once you are back, the storm stops being a problem and becomes the afternoon's entertainment. Watch it roll in over the escarpment from under cover.
When it has properly passed, the rock pool catches the last of the evening light. After dark, light a fire at the stone circle and listen for the jackals.
Not sure which walk suits the day? Ask at reception when you arrive. Guided hikes need arranging before you come, so let us know early if you would like one.
