Walking in the Drakensberg. Jeff Williams
the wound and wipe away excess venom
Remove tight clothing, jewellery and shoes
Immobilise the affected limb
Be prepared to give CPR if any sign of difficulty in breathing
If the snake has successfully projected venom into the eyes, rinse the eyes out with, ideally, running water. Alternatives are milk, beer, other cold drinks or urine.
Things you should NOT do
Do not cut, squeeze or suck the bite
Do not give an electric shock to the bite – there is no evidence of efficacy
Do not give alcohol
Do not administer antivenom – indeed don’t carry any!
Download onto your cellphone the free app ‘Snakebite First Aid’, devised by the African Snakebite Institute. Then read it.
Dehydration
Even at some of the modest temperatures experienced in the Berg, slogging up hills with a rucksack induces considerable water loss. Most people don’t replenish this sufficiently and feel at least uncomfortable and, at worst, increasingly tired and weak before they realise their plight. Carrying enough water for your needs is tough because of the weight penalty but is absolutely essential. At least two litres a day is a minimum for all but the shortest outings.
Altitude problems
Although the altitudes are never extreme many people will find the going tougher if they are unaccustomed to walking above, say, 2000m. In particular, driving up the Sani Pass to then climb Hodgson’s Peaks will be sufficient to give most people a sharp reminder that they will need to reduce their normal speed of march. Dehydration is more of an issue too if you’re working harder.
Immunisation
Well before departure consult your family doctor, from whom current national advice will be available. It should go without saying that unprotected sex might have extremely serious consequences.
Health insurance
This is absolutely mandatory when you go anywhere outside your own country, unless you have unlimited capital and are unconcerned about parting with a large amount of it. It is worthwhile reading the small print most assiduously. Pay particular attention to anything related to restrictions on the terrain that is covered by the policy and anything involving mountain rescue.
Health care in South Africa
Standards of health care in South Africa can be as high as anywhere in the world and this applies particularly in the larger cities. In very rural communities the facilities and specialist expertise available are less predictable. Generally, the concept of transfering problem cases to a larger and better-equipped unit is well accepted, but distances are long and some minor roads are poorly surfaced, rendering transfer times longer than anticipated if air transport is unavailable.
Safety
Mountain rescue
Entry permits for the Maloti-Drakensberg Park are mandatory. This includes a component to cover you in the event of rescue being required.
Optimum group size
Most authorities recommend three or four as the minimum number, especially for travel up on the escarpment: at least one to stay with a casualty, at least one to run for help if necessary. For the purposes of walks in this book the same number applies, but in practice, up to and including the Contour Path, many pairs of walkers are encountered. In good weather most people find that acceptable. The difficult question is whether one should walk alone? There is no simple answer to this as there are so many variable factors involved, but if a lone walk is your preference and decision, it is absolutely essential that route and estimated return time are recorded at a place where it will checked later.
It is interesting to note that, although it is a bounden duty for all walkers to act responsibly and reduce to a minimum the chance of needing to call out a rescue party, the Drakensberg Park authorities continue to stress that you, the walker, have a ‘Right to Risk’. Many will find this a refreshing attitude.
Security
Sadly, at the time of writing South Africa carries a reputation for increasing lawlessness. Car-jacking is relatively common and mugging, as in the UK, frequently reported in urban areas. However, most tourists never experience any security problems and preventative measures are broadly similar to those that many take in their own country.
Within the Drakensberg Park it is highly unusual for significant incidents to occur which involve tourists. Lone walkers are not uncommon and pairs more common than any other group in our experience. There are prominent warnings about avoiding contact wherever possible with Basutho traders and smugglers (often of marijuana, locally called ‘dagga’) who may also do some stock rustling on the side. If you encounter them on the path move aside. It is reasonable to acknowledge their presence with a polite wave or a ‘hello’ but don’t engage with them and never take photographs or ask to see what’s in their sacks. It is sensible to ask for local advice about this aspect of safety wherever you are.
THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY
Do not leave very valuable or important items in an unattended car even if they are well concealed. Never leave passport, credit cards or money.
If you have the misfortune to have a puncture try keep an eye on your luggage. Offers of assistance are common and usually friendly and supportive but a gratuity is welcomed so have some coins at hand.
It is generally agreed that it is inadvisable to travel by road in the countryside, even on major roads, at night.
In hotels use the room safe if there is one or hotel security if there is not. Don’t leave precious items in plain view. It may offer temptation to low-paid people and is unfair on them if you mislay an item and presume it stolen.
In the street don’t flash wads of banknotes, expensive jewellery or electronics that might attract would-be-muggers.
Completing the mountain register is vital
Useful telephone numbers
Consider putting key telephone numbers (see Appendix C) in the contact list of your mobile telephone (cellphone). Add the number of your accommodation as well and, possibly, your insurer’s number and airline office contact. Always make clear which number is the Emergency Contact number for your next of kin.
Communications
Apart from hotels, generally in South Africa the mobile phone (cellphone) is king and has quite good coverage, although in the mountains this is much less predictable.
Some KZNW camps have a good signal but once out in the Berg the most reliable reception areas are on ridges or summits. In respect of safety you should assume lack of signal. For visitors from abroad, to reduce costs consider taking an old phone with you and purchasing both SIM and airtime on arrival.
In case of serious issues arising on your walk, ensure you have the numbers of your accommodation, the police and the KZN Wildlife emergency service (ask at the local office) nestling in your contact list.
Wifi availability is poor away from hotels and some cafés. In my experience only a few B&Bs and KZN Wildlife lodges offer internet connectivity. Visitors usually have to rely on 3G for Internet access.
Maps
For walking maps of the Drakensberg there is a series at 1:50,000 scale published by KZN Wildlife and last revised in 2003. In this book they are referred to as KZNW maps. The geographical areas covered by the six available maps are as follows (with some overlap):
Hiking Map 1 – Royal Natal National Park
Hiking Map