Location:
Bushman’s Nek Wilderness Area, southern Drakensberg escarpment. It is located in South Africa close to the southern-most end of the Natal Drakensberg. Although effectively still on the escarpment, the high escarpment ends at Thaba Ngwangwe nearly 500 metres above the cave’s elevation. This cave offers a fine view over the southern reaches of the Natal Drakensberg. After Ngwangwane Pass, which is 2 km north of Goat’s Cave, the routes up Thomathu Pass and via Lammergeier Cave provide the easiest access into Lesotho from Natal. Hikers do not need passports to pass through the police border post at the entrance to the Bushman’s Nek Wilderness Area if they are not planning to make a formal entry into Lesotho.
GPS Coordinates: WGS 84
S29 49.837 E29 07.807 at 2616 metres (Landlubbers)
Description:
The cave can accommodate 10 people.
Comfort: 1/5
The floor of the cave is fairly level, but is often overgrown with weeds, including burs. It may also be a bit muddy in summer, otherwise it is very dusty because of its soft soil. Because it is frequented by livestock (including goats), it is also very smelly.
Water: 1/5
There is a reliable stream running past Lammergeier Cave which is several hundred metres from Goat’s Cave and about 250 metres in elevation below it. Hikers should collect water there if they are heading up towards Goat’s Cave via this route. Otherwise an easier alternative is to walk around Thomathu Peak and collect water from the stream behind it in Lesotho, a round trip of perhaps 1 km. However, this stream is used by livestock and may not be suitable during the summer season when animals abound in the area.
Pools: 0/5
There are no pools at all in the area.
Shelter: 4/5
Goat’s Cave is a fairly large overhang with very open sides. It does not provide any shelter from wind, but should keep you dry. The cave is probably best avoided during the windy season (September – October), when gale-force winds can tear through the area. Beware of theft by local Basotho herd boys.
Outlook: 5/5
The cave offers an inspiring view of the escarpment to the north, and the Underberg area to the east. This area is renown for its unusual rock formations and dolerite sills and dykes. The southern berg is often the first part of the Natal Drakensberg to receive snow, and the outlook from the cave after a snowfall is magnificent.
Overall Rating: 11/25
History:
Goat’s Cave is separated from Lesotho by a ridge, on which Tomathu Peak is the highest point. The Lesotho side of the ridge overlooks a gently-sloping valley whose highest point at its southern end is at about the same elevation as the cave, and the whole picturesque little valley is mostly covered in what can best be described as a well-manicured lawn, split in two by a small, meandering stream edged with tussocks of swamp grass. Goats, sheep, cattle, horses and donkeys can usually be found grazing here in the summer months. Another very large cave (Senotlolong Shelter) at the opposite end of the ridge to Goat’s Cave, and on the Lesotho side of the border, has been divided into several pens for livestock. Goat’s Cave gets its name from the fact that it is used by goats even to this day.