In search of the Giant Cup

Our first action item leads us deep into the Drakensberg mountains where we escape civilization from December 21st to 25th and stroll around deserted paths, basically following the Giant Cup Trail. Forming a wall of inaccessibility, the border to Lesotho as a monumental ridge with constantly over 3000 m of elevation becomes our best friend. The trail takes us from Sani Lodge over Garden Castle to Bushman's Nek. We die in 35+ °C with stiff air but the second day brings misty in-cloud-walking with cooling moisture. Warm and cosy days follow, with regular thunderstorms in the afternoon where we catch up with another couple – the only other hikers on the whole track. The trail is well cared of and each stage awaits us with lovely, clean shelter huts, mostly equipped with simple, stacked beds and lousy mattresses. We battle snakes, lizards, scorpions, elands, baboons, lammergeier, barn owls, sunbirds and even fancily striped mice. Nobody stands our Knoblauchfahne.Read more