Tag Archives: Drakensburg

Cathedral Peak Camping (Didima)

My usual place of camping in the #Drakensberg was fully booked so my wife wanted a site with plug points and she found Cathedral Peak Didima Campsite. What inspired this post was a lack of images of the site even on Google searches or Twitter. I have since added photos to the Google Maps link and GooglePlus link in turn. Let’s talk about the campsite.

At Didima they have Chalets which are the ones you will find mostly in searches but they do have a #Campsite as well. The Campsite is called Cathedral Peak Community Campsite. The best images and information I could find before making a decision was on the Rhino Club Blog http://rhinoclub.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/didima-campsites-in-cathedral-peaks-nature-reserve/

Where on earth is this place

Didima Campsite is in Giants Castle Game Reserve, Drakensberg. At the time of writing this post the route R74 was under construction, so it is highly recommended NOT to use it but stay on the N3 highway until you off-ramp straight to #Winterton. UPDATE: 8 DECEMBER 2015 THE R74 WAS OPEN WITH A NEW SURFACE

Didima Map

What the Campsite Offers

  • The Cathedral Peak Community Campsite offers 30 camping and caravan sites with electricity that can accommodate a maximum of 6 people.
  • Campers are to pay the fees at the reception.
  • The communal ablution facilities have toilets, hot showers, baths and a communal kitchen.
  • Braai stands are available; with firewood and charcoal for sale at the Curio Shop

WeszMadz Says:

  • One lady was cleaning both ablution blocks. She was so slow she would not clean the second one until we reported to management and action was taken. Lesson – inform management of any issues. They come around at least twice a day
  • On the side we stayed they were at least 7 street lights out. When we reported at main reception the answer was basically there is nothing we can do about it. Lesson – bring own external lighting just in-case
  • Two security guards are on duty at night which is great. One visited me when I was alone by the fire at midnight just to see if all was okay
  • The camp is setup alongside a river. Divine sounds when you sleeping
  • The lawn needs proper maintenance and some parts totally don’t have lawn.
  • All sites have electricity but your traditional plug won’t fit. You will need to rent one from reception. But if you have the Caravan hookup then you are sorted. caravan—->>
  • The hot water is not always hot but I think that’s an issue of gas.
  • The entrance and exit gates get closed at night
  • You can still enjoy a game of pool or eat at the restaurant by the main camp
  • The hiking and views are the best I have seen so far of the Drakensberg
  • The Campsite has washing and drying machines. R10 to wash, R10 to dry. Bring R5 coins..

 

 

Images of the Campsite

 

Where Two Rivers Meet

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW7j7hNpPCw]

Giant’s Castle is a mountain peak in the southern African Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal. Giants Castle offers visitors to the regions hiking opportunities with panoramic views. The Nature Reserve offers secluded accommodation, bushman rock art with easy access for everyone and about the best base to start a Drakensberg hiking experience. The area is one of many of South Africa‘s adventure areas, and plays host to the Giants Challenge MTB marathon in April each year.

Lying at the southern end of the central Drakensberg Giant’s Castle, which gets its name from the outline of the peaks and escarpment that combine to resemble the profile of a sleeping giant, is essentially a grassy plateau that nestles among the deep valleys of this part of the Drakensberg. (Source Wikipedia)