Location:
Vergelegen Wilderness Area, lower southern Drakensberg. The cave is a useful stop-over when climbing or descending Nhlangeni Pass, but it is reached over quite difficult riverine terrain. It lies above a tributary of the Nhlangeni River, so a small group may find Bridge Cave – which is situated further up the main river – more suitable, although Small Cave does not have much more space to offer either.
GPS Coordinates: WGS 84
S29 30.471 E29 19.796 at 2207 metres (Landlubbers)
Description:
Small Cave is a shallow, south-facing overhang which does not offer much protection from the elements.
Comfort: 3/5
The limited sleeping area is comfortably level for 3 or 4 people, but if more are to be squeezed in, they will have to make use of the sloping section.
Water: 4/5
The tributary passes about 50 metres from the cave but is reached over scrubby, sloping ground.
Pools: 2/5
There are no significant pools in the immediate vicinity of the cave.
Shelter: 2/5
The cave is quite exposed and does not offer much protection from wind and rain.
Outlook: 3/5
Looking upstream one can see a section of the escarpment protruding above the valley.
Overall Rating: 14/25
History:
Small Cave is apparently named after its discoverer, Bill Small, rather than its size.