Mnweni 3 Day New Year’s Hike (31 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027)

Number of Hikers already booked for this Hike

0/12

Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Country
South Africa
Bronze Pricing

R5,800 per person*

Silver Pricing

R6,950 per person*

Gold Pricing

R7,850 per person*

*Please note that these base hike prices are subject to change; and private hike prices will differ from our scheduled hike prices. 

Your quote for this hike may differ, depending on equipment you may need to hire from us, or additional services you request.

Mnweni 3 day hike
We walk up Rockeries pass on our 3 day Mnweni hike with Drakensberghiker.

The Mnweni 3 day hike in the Drakensberg takes place in one of my favorite parts of the Drakensberg…what better place to celebrate the New Year!

My porters also live here and love showing their home to visitors. We stay at the Mnweni cultural center before the hike and having a nice braai.

Day 1 starts with a drive up a dirt road where we leave our cars at my head porters home. You will be impressed with the views from his home. From here we head out into the mountains to do one of the best hikes in South Africa!

On the way we cross a crystal clear mountain stream. Maybe a quick little dip.

Then up the valley for some lunch among the Protea trees. From here it is an uphill saunter following the stream to arrive at our campsite for the night.

My porters call this place ‘the station’. When the Basotho’s come down into South Africa loaded with dagga they swop their loads onto other donkeys. All around us are huge mountains up to 1000m above us. Just incredible.  You can read some of my reviews here.

While enjoying dinner we can look up Rockeries pass where we will be walking the next day.

We started day 2 at 2200m and after 4km we arrive on top of Rockeries pass at 2950m.

Rockeries pass is one of the easier passes in the Drakensberg but we still take up to 4 hrs to get to the top. Once up there you will see the effort is certainly worth it. We are actually in Lesotho up there but don’t worry, no need for a passport.

By now everyone is starving so time for lunch. Another 40 minutes and we can also visit a huge Cape vulture colony.

Also quite amazing is we can look all the way down and see our campsite.

After all this fun we head back down Rockeries pass in time for afternoon tea at our campsite. Luckily there is a lovely stream nearby so good for a swim. Then another dinner while looking up at where we just were during the day. Helps with the feeling of accomplishment.

Mnweni Circuit Hike
You cannot help but be happy when you are hiking at Mnweni with Drakensberghiker.

Day 3 is waking up with the sun and having breakfast. Then a 3 hr walk back down the valley to our cars waiting at Sdudla’s home. This Mnweni 3 day hike is not only great for stunning mountain scenery but also plenty of bird life and of course my Zulu porters culture. We can see their homes and if you are lucky they will sing a few tunes.

Easy to Intermediate Drakensberg Hike

Mnweni 3 Day Hike Difficulty:  Intermediate.

Drakensberg Hiking Package Options

We have differentiated between options for porters for your hike using ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Bronze’ as the options to choose from, so remember to select the correct option on your enquiry or hike form when you contact us.

We understand that the Gold, Silver and Bronze packages might seem a bit confusing, so we have done some calculations to assist you with which one will be most suitable for you, and to ensure that you have the most enjoyable hike possible!

It is a good idea as part of your hike preparation to do some extra walking anyway, so while doing a walk of approximately 5km, including some uphill and downhill parts, carry a pack with the pack weight listed in the description of the package you are interested in. If you are quite comfortable with that weight, then that is the right option for you.

If you find yourself battling, and don’t have time to do some more preparation, then consider moving to a different package.

All three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent.

GOLD

Fully Portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry only a day-pack containing your own with drinks, snacks and jacket for each day.

Includes 3 meals a day!

You will not be carrying a standard hiking backpack at all, instead we will supply you with a 35l drybag into which you will put all your personal gear for our porters to carry.

The day pack you will carry weighs approximately 4kg.

Sleeping bags, tents, etc are carried our porters who also put your tent up!

Our amazing DrakensbergHiker Porters

SILVER

Partially Portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry a backpack with your clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash kit, and water bottle.

Includes 3 meals a day!

The pack weight you will carry on the Silver Package is approximately 14kg.

Tents etc are carried and put up by our porters.

Magnificent Cathedral Peak

BRONZE

Non-portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry your own backpack with all your personal gear, including your tent, and your share of the food.

Includes 3 meals a day!

The pack weight you will carry on the Bronze Package is approximately 22kg.

You will put up your own tent and take it down again each day.

Easter cave 4 day hike

Drakensberg Hiking Package Options

We have differentiated between options for porters for your hike using ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Bronze’ as the options to choose from, so remember to select the correct option on your enquiry or hike form when you contact us.

We understand that the Gold, Silver and Bronze packages might seem a bit confusing, so we have done some calculations to assist you with which one will be most suitable for you, and to ensure that you have the most enjoyable hike possible!

It is a good idea as part of your hike preparation to do some extra walking anyway, so while doing a walk of approximately 5km, including some uphill and downhill parts, carry a pack with the pack weight listed in the description of the package you are interested in. If you are quite comfortable with that weight, then that is the right option for you.

If you find yourself battling, and don’t have time to do some more preparation, then consider moving to a different package.

All three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent.

GOLD

Fully Portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry only a day-pack containing your own with drinks, snacks and jacket for each day.

Includes 3 meals a day!

You will not be carrying a standard hiking backpack at all, instead we will supply you with a 35l drybag into which you will put all your personal gear for our porters to carry.

The day pack you will carry weighs approximately 4kg.

Sleeping bags, tents, etc are carried our porters who also put your tent up!

Our amazing DrakensbergHiker Porters

SILVER

Partially Portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry a backpack with your clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash kit, and water bottle.

Includes 3 meals a day!

The pack weight you will carry on the Silver Package is approximately 14kg.

Tents etc are carried and put up by our porters.

Magnificent Cathedral Peak

BRONZE

Non-portered Drakensberg Hike

 

You carry your own backpack with all your personal gear, including your tent, and your share of the food.

Includes 3 meals a day!

The pack weight you will carry on the Bronze Package is approximately 22kg.

You will put up your own tent and take it down again each day.

Easter cave 4 day hike

DrakensbergHiker Souvenir Packages

For all people joining one of our Drakensberg Hikes, you will also have the option to select the size/s of the T-Shirts and Fleeces in your chosen bundle … in addition to the memories that will keep you going for years to come 🙂

All these items are available on our shop, but it is so much easier to get them when you do your hike, and benefit from the discounted pricing and not having to wait for us to ship it to you later!

‘Basecamp’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R900):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.

‘Ascent’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R1550):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.
  • Thin DrakensbergHiker fleece top.

‘Summit’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R2050):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.
  • Thick DrakensbergHiker fleece top.

DrakensbergHiker Souvenir Packages

On all our hike inquiry forms you can select the Souvenir Bundle of your choice, you will also have the option to select the size/s of the T-Shirts and Fleeces in your chosen bundle … in addition to the memories that will keep you going for years to come 🙂

All these items are available on our shop, but it is so much easier to get them when you do your hike, and benefit from the discounted pricing and not having to wait for us to ship it to you later!!

‘Basecamp’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R900):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.

‘Ascent’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R1550):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.
  • Thin DrakensbergHiker fleece top.

‘Summit’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R2050):

  • Stunning double wall stainless steel DrakensbergHiker 400ml Mug.
  • DrakensbergHiker T-Shirt in orange or black.
  • DrakensbergHiker Beenie or Sun Hat.
  • Thick DrakensbergHiker fleece top.

Please use the form below to contact us about joining this hike: