Location:
Highmoor Wilderness Area, lower central Drakensberg. The cave can be reached via a relatively easy walk from the Highmoor office. Careful map reading may be required to reach it in mist, however. The Fulton’s Rock art site is within easy walking distance of the cave, but a circular return route to the Highmoor office via this site and the trout dams can provide some more serious exercise for backpackers looking to extend themselves. A visit to nearby Aasvoëlkrans Cave is also very worthwhile.
GPS Coordinates: WGS84
S29 17.326 E29 35.981 at 1856 metres (Landlubbers)
Description:
Caracal Cave is a very large sandstone overhang, although only a relatively small, elevated part of the total floor area is suitable for sleeping accommodation.
Comfort: 5/5
The large sleeping area is almost perfectly level but a little dusty. It can accommodate the maximum allowable number of 12 hikers quite easily.
Water: 1/5
In summer a small stream tumbles over the far end of the cave, but catching any water from the waterfall is tricky. For most of the year there is a disappointing water supply which is reached by walking 100 metres or more down the valley in front of the cave. Finding suitable drinking water within reasonable distance of the cave during the height of the dry season may prove difficult if not impossible. This is therefore a summer-only cave.
Pools: 0/5
There are no pools anywhere near the cave.
Shelter: 5/5
The sandstone overhang which forms the cave is huge and provides perfect shelter from rain. The trees and bush in front of the cave provide some protection from the wind.
Outlook: 4/5
The cave is north-facing and offers a fine view of a section of the escarpment north of The Giant, including Monk’s Cowl and Cathkin Peak in the far distance.
Overall Rating: 15/25
History:
Caracal Cave is named after the caracal or African lynx, a medium-sized cat with a rusty-coloured coat and black-tufted ears. Its Afrikaans name is “rooikat” (red cat). It is somewhat similar to the American bobcat in size and mass, and has a similar temperament too. Although quite common in the Natal Drakensberg, they are rarely seen, being mostly nocturnal and very secretive. They are harmless to humans but their power and ferocity should not be challenged. They are known to catch birds in flight.