Location:
Vergelegen Wilderness Area, lower southern Drakensberg. The cave can be reached from the Vergelegen office via a long walk which ends in a steep climb up a spur before levelling off over some difficult grassy terrain. Kaula (pronounced ka-oo-la) Cave is relatively easy to find from below, but difficult from above, especially in mist. Due to its remoteness it is not a particularly useful cave for longer hikes, although it can be included in a 3-day loop which also takes in Bird’s Nest Cave. The route to or from Bird’s Nest Cave requires careful navigation in places where the path has completely disappeared.
GPS Coordinates: WGS 84
S29 32.823 E29 20.632 at 2214 metres (Landlubbers)
Description:
This is a comfortable cable, with a nice deep section with a high roof and a shallower, upper area with a lower roof.
Comfort: 4/5
The sleeping areas are fairly level, though a little dusty. Unfortunately, the cave is frequented by a baboon troop who could do with a lot of house training. The cave can therefore be unpleasantly smelly! Burs can add to any discomfort.
Water: 4/5
A small waterfall tumbles over the lip of the cave and should provide adequate drinking water for most of the year, although it may stop running during a very dry winter. If you don’t want to clamber down to the pond below the waterfall, you can “fish” for water from the front of the cave by hanging a billy on the end of a trekking pole.
Pools: 0/5
There are no nice pools in the vicinity of the cave – not even little plunge pools to wash off the day’s sweat in! One can take a shower under the waterfall if you are daring enough though.
Shelter: 4/5
The deeper part of the cave provides good shelter, although the upper, narrow part may expose its occupants to driving rain.
Outlook: 2/5
There is not much of a view from the immediate vicinity of the cave, but if one ventures a little way out it is possible to see parts of the escarpment.
Overall Rating: 14/25
History:
Unknown