Location:
Garden Castle Wilderness Area, lower southern Drakensberg. This cave is conveniently located near the bottom of Mashai Pass. It is within relatively easy walking distance from the Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spar Resort and lies on the route to Rhino Peak (which can be seen from the cave). Consequently, the cave receives visitors almost daily and besides being a very public spot it is also vulnerable to littering by thoughtless day-trippers.
GPS Coordinates: WGS 84
S29 43.739 E29 10.606 at 2143 metres (Landlubbers)
Description:
Pillar Cave is a deep, high overhang. Its floor is relatively flat, but in summer this can become very muddy, especially when trodden by many day-trippers. It is a very dusty cave during the windy season.
Comfort: 2/5
The sleeping areas are fairly level and smooth, but can become very muddy. Don’t expect any privacy though!
Water: 3/5
In summer there are several drips and rivulets in the immediate vicinity of the cave, but in winter you may have to walk the 100 metres or so down to the Mlambonja River below the cave to fetch water.
Pools: 3/5
There are several pools in the Mlambonja River below the cave, but finding a private spot may require walking further a field.
Shelter: 2/5
Pillar Cave may be quite windy, but otherwise provides good shelter for its occupants except for numerous drips in summer.
Outlook: 4/5
Pillar Cave provides spectacular views of Rhino Peak and Mashai Pass.
Overall Rating: 14/25
History:
Pillar Cave is named after its one very obvious feature: the rock pillar which stretches from floor to ceiling at the front of the cave.