Leopard Cave

Location:

Cathedral Peak Wilderness Area

Leopard Cave can be reached from the Cathedral Peak office via Solar Cliffs, or via Mike's Pass and Phillip's Folly.  In fact, the nicest weekend route is the circular one which takes in both Solar Cliffs and Mike's Pass.  The route up from Solar Cliffs passes through an exceptionally fine patch of indigenous forest, which includes a large pool and waterfall.  In summer there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, but both the Ndedema River and Mhlwazini River come down in flood regularly and very great care and discretion should be used when trying to cross these rivers under these conditions, especially with children.  Several hikers have lost their lives while trying to cross these flooded rivers.  The best time to visit is between March and May, when the rivers are usually lower and the water may be warm enough to be enjoyable!

Leopard Cave, Poachers Cave, Gravel Cave and Schoongezicht Cave lie on a major dagga smuggling route which originates on the escarpment above the Tlanyaku and Organ Pipes passes and follows the Ndedema valley to the settlement below.  The smugglers show no consideration for the environment, making fires, leaving litter along their entire route and taking short cuts which have produced many new major paths which will be the ruin of the gorge.  Please do not behave like these criminals by making use of their paths - stick to the original, carefully contoured paths no matter how tempting it is to take their shortcuts!

Co-ordinates (WGS84 / dd mm.mmm):

at metres

Description:

Accommodation: 12

This fine cave is officially closed! The main reason for this is to protect the Bushman rock art adjacent to it.  However, the increase in dagga trafficking and theft in the Ndedema Valley is a good reason to avoid it.

Leopard Cave is a fairly deep, low overhang.  Only the front section is high enough to be able to stand upright, so care must be taken not to scratch one's back or bump one's head when moving around the cave, especially when carrying backpacks in and out.  The very back section of the cave imparts a feeling of homely security and comfort even in the worst of weather.  The main cave can easily accommodate 12 hikers, especially in winter when the terrace near the front of the cave is not too damp from drips.  There is another small overhang just round the corner from the main cave suitable for one or two insomniacs or snorers - whichever is in the minority!

The sandstone cliff into which Leopard Cave has been carved continues around on the escarpment side of the cave, and has provided an easel for Bushman artists.  The cave is named after the painting of a leopard chasing a very athletic-looking Bushman.  From the humour captured in this painting, one assumes that the lucky Bushman lived to not only see another day but also to laugh about and paint the event!  Unfortunately the paintings have faded rapidly over the last 20 years and unless the light is just right it can take some patient searching to find this particular painting.  There are no leopards in the area anymore to worry about, but beware of the night adders which seem to like the indigenous forest below the cave.  The whole Ndedema Gorge area is rich in rock art, and for those interested in this art form, a visit to nearby Eland Cave is an absolute must.  Nearby Poachers Cave also has some interesting paintings.

Beware of theft!

Bookings:

+27 (036) 4881880

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