PROPERTIES — MPUMALANGA
Gibraltar Kloof
"If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain."
Venue Information
Venue Overview | Gibraltar is a kloof system in the so-called Transvaal Drakensberg, with gorges, kloofs, waterfalls and clear rock pools. The area is incredibly pristine and beautiful with weathered and lichened rock and indigenous vegetation. Walks lead up to dramatic views from the escarpment. There are kloofing and gorge walks. Swimming in the many natural pools is a big attraction. Probably the best swimming experience is in Pool-With-A-View at the very top edge of the highest waterfall. Camping is superb. |
Permit / Permission info | No permission or permits required. |
Approx travel time from Jhb | Approx. 4 - 5 hours. |
Parking info | There are two parking areas. The normal area is at a shop and the owner will watch your car for a negotiable fee. You then have to walk across the wide river, or if it is too full, use the cable-ways. If you are prepared to cross the river by 4×4 you can drive another 4 kilometres and park at a village. Parking and guarding fees negotiable. Porters are available |
Walk-in | Time from the shop to the village is about 2 hours, from the village to the camp about 3 hours up the outside of the kloof and about 10 hours up the kloof itself. |
Accommodation | Camping under shade on good surfaces. |
Availability of drinking water | Water is available in the kloof |
Climbing route guide | Access details are available from the MCSA Land & Access Convenor. Climbing route guide can be sources from old journals. For hiking guides it is best to take someone along who has been there before. |
Climbing info | Climbing is strictly trad with some long, generally easy routes. There are some shorter harder routes possible near the camp. This area is best appreciated on foot as a hiking paradise. |
Child-friendly | Yes. |
Swimming | Yes. |
Camp fires | Yes |
Other attractions | Abundant small wild-life, i.e. birds, monkeys, baboons, dassies, small buck, snakes, lizards etc. Natural vegetation and beautifully eroded and weathered rock. There are swimming pools everywhere. |
| Dangers | None; Weather in high summer can be very hot, and winter is a bit cold for comfortable swimming. |
Contact details | Contact MCSA Jhb for more information. |
Disclaimer
Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and other related activities are inherently dangerous and can lead to or cause serious injury, material loss and even death. The Mountain Club of South Africa advises that you only participate in these activities if you are competent to do so, or are under the guidance of an experienced person, and you are using the correct equipment. Any activity in which you participate, is done entirely at your own risk. The Mountain Club of South Africa accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any accident, injury, death or material loss arising from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not.