Location:
Highmoor Wilderness Area, southern central Drakensberg. The cave is at the top end of a small gorge, an easy 5 km walk from the Highmoor office. Careful map reading is required to reach the cave, especially in mist.
Warning: This cave is unsuitable for young or poorly supervised children. The combination of gravel and high drop-offs in front of the cave requires considerable care.
GPS Coordinates: WGS 84
S29 17.808 E29 37.756 at 1870 metres (Russell Smith)
Description:
Aasvoëlkrans Cave is actually a double-storey cave, although only the lower level is normally used for overnight stays. The lower level has a gravel floor but there are several relatively flat areas suitable for bedding down on. Together, the 2 caves could accommodate well over 100 people, but the limit set by ecological impact studies is 12.
Comfort: 5/5
This is a comfortable cave, with the added advantage that the waterfall drowns out snoring!
Water: 5/5
There is an abundant supply of water all year round. It is accessed from the lower cave by a series of ledges, so care must be taken, especially with young children or at night.
Pools: 5/5
There are several pools above and below the waterfall at the cave. The largest pool is immediately below the cave. The more adventurous can go kloofing down the gorge.
Shelter: 5/5
Being at the top end of a narrow gorge, the cave is well sheltered from all but the strongest winds. The huge overhanging roof ensures that no rain can enter the cave.
Outlook: 3/5
The cave is east-facing. It offers a nice view of the gorge, but you will have to clamber out above the cave to see the grand view of the central Drakensberg escarpment.
Overall Rating: 23/25
History:
Aasvoëlkrans is Afrikaans for “vulture cliff”. The origin of the name is unknown – there are no vulture colonies in the immediate vicinity of the cave today.