Into The Berg specialises in small group multi-day hikes (max 6 guests) in the remote Drakensberg wilderness. Hikers can join the scheduled monthly hikes, or alternatively book their own private group at a date and route best suited to them. With over 35 years experience exploring the slopes of this world heritage site, the team at Into the Berg has a passion for sharing the vast, isolated landscapes with those who have an appreciation for the pristine outdoors, giving insight into the history, flora and fauna of the area, and laying out the highest quality meals, provisions and coffee.
The essence of our hikes is best described in 4 words
CONNECTION, CHALLENGE, REWARD & RESPECT
CONNECTION
When last did you sit alone for half an hour and take in an uninterrupted sunrise or sunset?
Long before forest bathing, earthing/grounding, and ice baths were part of our vocab, hikers could testify to the invigorating connection experienced through days spent moving in the wilderness. All of these, now proven, modern practices are naturally woven into a Drakensberg multi-day hike, together with the magnificent beauty, the freshest air, and sipping living water straight from the stream.
Disconnect from the routine, pace, and demands of modern humanity and connect with the rhythm of a timeless wilderness region. All guests are encouraged to use phones for photos only, and to remove themselves from the online world.
Connect with people through sharing, enduring, and appreciating new experiences together. It is a privilege for us to mix with hikers from a broad range of countries and cultures in a small group setting.
CHALLENGE
What is a worthy adventure without some form of hardship or effort? Gear and gadgets play an important part, but a hike is primarily a physical and mental challenge to cover wilderness terrain, being exposed to the elements, and surviving in a remote environment far from the comforts of a modern home.
Call us old school, but we insist that a wholly rewarding hike involves a backpack. We do not provide porters, and each guest is required to carry their belongings (we do however carry and provide the tents, cooking gear and meals).
You can choose from a range of entry level to advanced hikes, and for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, we reserve the right to only allow those with the relevant experience or basic fitness levels to participate. That being said, we are not fast-packers who take off at the crack of dawn and pitch tents in the dark. All of our routes involve, on average, between 5-6 hours of hiking per day, providing plenty of time to connect at each lunch spot and wilderness campsite.
REWARD
Challenges should always go hand in hand with reward. Apart from the sense of accomplishment, the spectacular views, and the mental and physical benefits, we do our best to make our guests as comfortable as possible, and to provide them with the best culinary experience. Through a combination of home prepared foods and trusted health/wellness brands, we provide a specifically purposed nutritional solution for hikers, that not only provides the necessary fuel, but tastes superior, and does justice to the clean, natural environment that it is consumed in… and then fresh aeropress coffee
RESPECT
We have the honour of being custodians of a magnificent world heritage site, and take seriously the role we play in respecting every aspect of our journey.
Respect the environment – We adhere to a strict Leave No Trace policy, including not using soaps of any kind near the pristine water sources, or making fires of any sort.
Respect the group – We’re a team and it’s not a race, so we go at the pace of the slowest member. We also insist on clean language, no music and no audible phones, videos etc.
Respect the conditions – Safety is our first priority and prevailing weather conditions and terrain need to be respected. We don’t take any unnecessary risks (outside of standard mountain walking), and the guides decision is always final
Our team
Meet Into The Berg's team of experienced adventurers
Head Guide
Media manager
Assistant