Please note

The information below is limited. For all details please contact the MCSA Johannesburg Section.

The MCSA as a land owner seeks to preserve the land in its natural state, therefore none of our properties have clearly indicated paths, nor are there any facilities on our properties.

Brief summary of venue

A beautiful steep and narrow kloof famous for its many crack climbs. Most of the 140 or so routes in Mhlabatini are multi-pitch natural lines. While grades vary from 5 to 27 there’s a large selection of higher-grade climbs – making it a favourite for climbers wanting to push grades.

The kloof is ideal for hiking as well as kloofing.

This area is part of the Magaliesberg Protected Environment (MPE) and the Magaliesberg Biosphere.

Permit & permission information

MCSA-owned property.  Non MCSA members must obtain a permit from the MCSA Johannesburg Section. All visitors must carry a copy of the permit.

No permits are issued to non-members for the first full weekend of a month, as we reserve that weekend for MCSA members and their guests only. Please see the FAQ: Permit Rules.

MCSA members do not need permits. One member one guest rule applies. Members must carry their membership cards with them.

Access to this property is across other land owners property. Access agreements with these land owners was established by the MCSA. The access rules in these agreements must be adhered to.

The access agreements with these land owners are sensitive and dependent on your adherence to their rules. The rules are available on request from the MCSA Johannesburg Section and will be provided with your access permit.

A breach of these rules (etiquette, gate times, etc.) could result in the MCSA permanently losing this convenient access route to its properties. The MCSA will also not hesitate to take action against offending members or permit holders.

Join the club here.

Parking Fees

Parking fee is R60 per car, payable in cash, and you must sign the register.

Approximate travelling time from Pretoria

Travelling takes about 1 hour 15 mins.

Accommodation & facilities

Camping, with no facilities, is available at the lower campsite near the river, or  at the top end of the climbing area on the true right side among the boulders at the lip of the kloof or higher up in the side gullies. There’s no water available at either campsites, so you need to get water from the kloof. No camping in the kloof please.

Water is always available as the stream flows strongly throughout the year, but can disappear in Winter in the upper regions.

Please note field toilet manners apply, see the FAQ: What are ‘Field toilet manners?’.

Climbing information

Mhlabatini has about 140 trad climbs on excellent steep rock. While there are easier climbs in the upper quarter (including plenty of 15s), the large number of climbs from grade 19 up make the kloof more suited to experienced climbers climbing higher grades. There are no access or descent gullies in the climbing area apart from the top and bottom ends of the kloof. No bolting is permitted. Please take note of eagle activity at the crags on the website home page.

Child friendly

No, unless older as the walk in is tricky – technical kloof being steep and slippery in places. Adult supervision is required.

Swimming

Yes, there are pools to swim in both at the bottom and top of the kloof (below Mhlabatini Chimney). Swimming in bottom pool where water is extracted, is forbidden.

Camp fires

Strictly not allowed, as it is part of the Biosphere.

Other attractions

Mhlabatini offers kloofing in the Magaliesberg; a solid mix of swimming, scrambling, rock jumping and lots of fun. A word of caution to those attempting to go kloofing, everybody in the party should be physically fit, and know how to swim and abseil.

Dangers

Safety has not been an issue. Some burglaries from cars at stages, so be alert.

A word of caution to those attempting to go kloofing, everybody in the party should be physically fit, and know how to swim and abseil. Bring ample plastic bags to keep your stuff dry and beware of hypothermia.

Contacts

MCSA Johannesburg Section

Email: admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za

Contact Tel: 061 461 8259

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 15:00 – 18:00; closed on weekends & public holidays.

Disclaimer

Mountaineering (climbing and hiking) is de facto an activity which carries certain inherent risks. Neither the MCSA, nor any of its members or representatives accept responsibility for any deaths, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person or for any theft, loss or damage to any property that result from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not. Full indemnity is available here.