Witsieshoek Lodge to Gudu Falls

Gudu Falls walk follows the path which travels parallel to the Metsi Matsho Trail, ie. on the south side of the fence.

Follow this path as it winds its way along the top of the ridge, right past the Gudu stream catchment area until the Plowmanskop Ridge is reached, which is easily located and a positive way of not losing the route. This ridge has magnificent views of the Diamond, the Castle Rocks and the entire Royal Natal Park area. At this point, turn right (southeast) and follow the sketchy path which winds its way across the grassy slopes, down a gentle slope towards the end of Plowmanskop. Nearing the end of this gentle slope, it eases to the right and down into the valley to the Falls lip.

This small valley has beautiful swimming pools, within 20 metres of the actual falls, with a lovely lunch area and one tends to relax too much, at this very picturesque spot.

The return trip can be via the “Crack” route and hence back up to the original path at the upper ridge. From the Gudu Falls lip, climb out and locate the path going in a westerly direction (towards the Main Berg) and follow this path to almost the top of the Crack, at which point, one leaves the crack path to climb up to the ridge (in a north/west direction) and hence, home.If this walk/climb is intended for a day’s outing, then climbing down the Crack is a further alternate route home as the path at the base of the crack leads up the Mahai Valley and on up to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge. This crack is a freak of nature, easily negotiated, with the help of a small chain ladder near the base. It really is an experience worth the effort.

The Qwa Qwa region around Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge is primarily inhabited by members of the Batlokoa chiefdom.

The Batlokoa community comprises a range of different Sotho-Tswana peoples, its population ranging from Botswana to Lesotho to the Free State and Gauteng. The tribe has inhabited the areas around Witsiehoek since the mid 19th century. In 1874, a mission station of the Dutch Reformed Church was established in the area. However, the majority of the Batlokoa living in the Free State today are Catholic. While elements of traditional Batlokoa culture still survive today, such as traditional music and oral poetry, the community has adapted to a rapidly urbanising population and culture, centred on the ever-expanding capital of the Qwa Qwa region, Phuthadithjhaba (meaning meeting place of the people).

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge was originally built in the 1970s as a state enterprise, though former Batlokoa chief Wessels Mota built a stone hut for backpackers on the site in the 1950s. The lodge was gradually given over to the current King of the local Batlokoa community, Morena Mota (son of Wessels Mota), in the mid 90s. It was officially made a community asset by the state in 2000. Management challenges prompted the Traditional Council of the Batlokoa under their leader, Morena Mota, to enter into an agreement with Transfrontier Park Destinations (TFPD) in 2010 as management and marketing operators.