South Africa Hiking & Photography Workshop

18th - 23rd February 2025

Unplug, Explore, Create and Connect.

Join us for five days in South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains. This workshop blends hiking, camping, and photography, offering a chance to step outside your comfort zone, disconnect from daily life, and explore the land through your lens. Connect with like-minded adventurers, sharpen your photography skills, and find inspiration in the mountains’ breathtaking beauty.

Mnweni

Nestled between Cathedral Peak and the Royal Natal National Park in the northern Drakensberg of South Africa, the Mnweni region is a hidden gem for hikers and adventurers. This rugged and remote area is unique for its breathtaking landscapes, featuring towering spires like the Mnweni Needles, dramatic passes such as Rockeries and panoramic views of the escarpment. Officially, the area known as “Mnweni” is managed by the amaNgwane Tribal Authority and covers the region between Mount Amery and the Ntonjelana Ridge.

Hiking in Mnweni offers a rare chance to explore untouched wilderness, with its mix of verdant valleys, cascading rivers, and sheer cliffs creating a stunning yet challenging terrain. It’s unlikely we’ll encounter other hikers on the trip. Far from the more frequented trails of the Drakensberg, Mnweni provides an authentic and immersive outdoor experience, connecting travelers to the land’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.​

Difficulty

This 3 day circuit is considered a moderate to difficult hiking trail. You must be fit enough to carry your own backpack with tent, mattress and sleeping gear with up to 1100m of elevation, hiking for up to 5 hours per day.

Image Courtesy of Path Finders SA.

Itinerary

You’ll be picked up in Durban (just a 2-hour flight from Cape Town) and shuttled to the Mnweni Cultural Centre, nestled between Cathedral Peak and Royal Natal National Park. This tranquil community-run center offers a warm introduction to the area, featuring traditional rondavel beehive hut accommodations. The afternoon will focus on getting to know each other through a photography workshop. You'll explore the fundamentals of landscape photography, storytelling through imagery, pre-trip planning, and gear preparation for the days ahead.

Accommodation: Mnweni Cultural Centre

Image courtesy of Pathfinders SA

Day 0: Arrival and Orientation

  • After a morning shuttle to the trailhead, we begin our journey hiking 8 km with a manageable 500 m elevation gain to the base of the Rockeries Pass. This area is renowned for its raw, untouched beauty—deep river valleys, vibrant mountain flora, and a sense of seclusion not found in many places. The trail winds along grassy ridges and rocky outcroppings, offering glimpses of the Mnweni Needles, towering rock spires carved over millennia. The hike is likely to take 4 hours, leaving time to set up camp and immerse ourselves in the wilderness.

    8km, 500m elevation gain.

    Accommodation: Camping

  • A challenging day awaits as we ascend the Rockeries Pass—a 6 km trek with 1,100 m of elevation gain. The route climbs steeply, rewarding hikers with panoramic views of the Mnweni Needles and the escarpment above. As we reach higher altitudes, the landscape shifts to dramatic cliffs and sweeping vistas of the Drakensberg range. The day concludes with an unforgettable night in a mountain cave, perched above the clouds and offering unparalleled views of the horizon. This experience connects you deeply to the majesty of the land.

    6km, 1100m elevation gain. Challenging day.
    Accommodation: Camping in a cave!

Day 1 ~ 2: Rockeries Pass

Image Courtesy of Path Finders SA.

Day 3 ~ 4: Mnweni Pass to Rwanqa Pass

  • We begin our descent via the rugged Mnweni Pass, a route with a 1,200 m elevation loss over 10 km. The terrain is rocky and challenging on the knees, but the surrounding scenery makes it worthwhile. Towering peaks, cascading streams, and dramatic valleys accompany us as we reach the base of Rwanqa Pass. Here, we’ll camp amidst pristine wilderness, reflecting on the day’s journey and capturing the golden hues of sunset through your lens.

    10km, 1200m elevation loss.
    Accommodation: Wild Camping

  • A more relaxed day as we hike 9 km with little elevation change, returning to the shuttle pickup point. The landscape transitions back to rolling grasslands and familiar ridges, a gentle end to the wilderness immersion. The evening will be spent in comfort, enjoying a well-earned rest by the pool at our final accommodation, sharing stories and celebrating the completion of an incredible journey.

    Accommodation: Amphitheatre Backpackers

Image Courtesy of Path Finders SA.

Day 5: Rest, relax and editing masterclass

After a restful sleep, we’ll gather for a morning workshop on photo editing, storytelling, and finalizing your collection of images. This session will tie together the skills and inspiration from the trip. Around lunchtime, we bid farewell, leaving with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and a deeper connection to nature and creativity.

Optional extra night at Amphitheatre Backpackers available.

Meet your guides

  • Jade is an Australian Photographer based in Germany. She specialises in capturing a vibrant life outdoors; travelling the globe on adventures into the mountains and sea - telling stories along the way.

  • Michaela is a local certified Mountain Guide (CATHSETTA registered), running hiking trips in the Drakensberg region with her company Path Finders SA.

  • 5 nights accommodation

    • 2 nights in cabin / hostel

    • 3 nights wild camping

  • All wild camping and hiking gear:

    • Large hiking rucksacks, tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on days we are hiking

  • Shuttle pickup in Durban and transfer to meeting point

  • Shuttle from end of hike to accommodation

  • Photography tuition

    • Storytelling, landscape, portraiture, shooting on analog

    • Hands-on photography assistance throughout the trip

    • Post processing (digital and film)

What is included?

  • Flights and transport to and from Durban (easy 2hr flight from Cape Town).

  • Travel insurance (mandatory to participate!)

  • If applicable, entry visa’s

  • Photography equipment

  • Additional hiking gear (see packing list!)

  • Lunch, snacks, drinks and extra meals not stated in package

What is not included?

Details

Dates

February 18th - 23rd 2025

Trip Cost

€1600

Start point

Durban, South Africa

Group size

8 participants + 2 hosts

A 25% deposit is required at time of successful application to secure your spot. Deposits are non refundable. See further information on booking T&Cs in the FAQ.

  • Jade & Mathilde beautifully balanced the act of confidently guiding us with their professional knowledge whilst creating a warm, relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. Throughout the 5 days and 4 nights, we created many wonderful memories that I’ll cherish forever! Although we started as strangers, by the end I can say that I’ve found lifelong friends and supporters of my ambitions. This trip was a life-changing experience for me as it reawakened my creative heart and passion for photography!

    Briony, 2024 Dolomites Workshop

  • After the most lovely 5 days in the Dolomites, I wrote in my journal, “nothing could’ve prepared me for how transformative and beautiful this experience was going to be.” Jade and Mathilde cultivated such a wonderful, creative, and dynamic space for like-minded individuals to connect.

    Cara, 2024 Dolomites Workshop

  • You created a beautiful, wholesome environment that encouraged learning and growth (and bravery!). [] This trip was truly a highlight of my year. You both helped me fall in love with the process again and for that, I am eternally grateful.

    Liz, 2024 Dolomites Workshop

FAQs

If you have any specific questions not answered here, feel free to contact me at hello@jadestephens.photography.

  • Yes! This is open to all skill levels of photography. From those new to the creative skill, maybe just acquired a new camera, or those who are more familiar and have been photographing for years. We’re here to experience nature with like-minded individuals.

  • The hiking is listed as moderate to difficult. I would describe day two as a strenuous hike. You will be walking with a heavy backpack with a tent, mattress, sleeping bag and food for several hours uphill, up to 110m elevation in one day. Think 5+ hours on foot. If you are not comfortable with doing this, I strongly urge you to consider your capabilities before signing up. While we want you to discover capabilities you didn’t realise you had, we also need to ensure your own physical safety and that of the group.

  • Durban is accessible via direct flight from Cape Town, South Africa. There are frequent flights between the two cities and are quite affordable.

  • The best camera is always the one that you have with you and are comfortable with. As we will be hiking long distance, I recommend taking a minimal kit (maybe a body and 1 lense) to keep weight low. You could also just bring a point and shoot.

    If you’re into it and are a strong hiker, you could bring multiple lenses. But I do not recommend bringing multiple cameras or a huge kit for a multi day trek like this.

  • Mnweni
    Mnweni is a non-profit community tourism and cultural project. Accommodation is in 5 rondavels with 4 beds each. A Rondavel is a traditional, single-celled, round or oval hut with a conical thatched roof. Solar-powered lighting, linen and hot showers are provided. The communal kitchen and large dining area are equipped with gas stoves, fridge, freezer, cutlery and crockery.

    Camping
    You will be provided a tent, mattress, sleeping bag and additional camping gear for the 3 nights of wild camping. This will be carried in your backpack (also supplied).

    Backpackers
    Amiptheatre Backpackers is a casual hostel offering 8 and 6 bed mixed dorms. Amenities include a restaurant, a bar and communal kitchens. There's also a hot tub and an outdoor pool, plus an Internet cafe and a BBQ area.

  • We highly recommend continuing your South Africa or Drakensberg trip before or after the tour. Myself and Michaela are more than happy to provide you further information, get in touch!

  • The Drakensberg weather in February can be expected to be warm and with a high likelihood of a storm or shower. You will most likely get rained on at some point on the hike! Make sure to bring good wet weather gear (rainjacket, rain paints) and gear to stay warm.

  • Applications are open through the linked Google Form. You will need to fill out some details about yourself and answer some questions about yourself and your fitness in relation to hiking. This helps us to build a working group dynamic and make sure that participants meet fitness requirements for a smooth, fun and safe trip.

    If your application is selected, i’ll reach out via email for a short call with myself and Michaela for an informal meet so we can get to know you.

    Once your application is successful, you will be required to make the 25% deposit to secure your spot.

  • Full Terms and Conditions for participating in a workshop can be found here: https://www.jadestephens.photography/terms-and-conditions

  • We strongly recommend you get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel your spot and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus 200 Euro Service Fee. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:

    Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus 200 Euro service fee.
    60 days or more: 50% refund of the full amount
    30 days or more: 25% refund of the full amount
    Less than 30 days: no refund of the full amount

    Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.


    Minimum Spots Required
    Once we book 4 spots on the trip, your booking will be officially confirmed and the following policies above will apply. If we happen to not fill required spots, the trip will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.