The tour to Battle Cave is a guided hike at the Injisuthi Camp of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Central Drakenberg, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Drakensberg Walking Excursions is qualified to guide you to this site. This cave is one of the few rock art sites in the Drakensberg that is open to the public.
Injisuthi Camp is particularly special as it is situated deep in the Drakensberg. It is also a remote area. You can’t even pick up a cell phone signal here!
Battle Cave, with its wide sandstone overhang, is one of southern Africa’s best-preserved San rock art sites. The distance to the cave is 5.7 km from Injisuthi Camp. The shelter is fenced and is not accessible without a guide. The guide provides an interpretation of the famous rock art of this area.
The most well-known “fresco” shows two opposing groups. Firstly, women are trying to restrain their menfolk from entering the fray, arrows flying in all directions. Secondly, wounded and dying warriors. This exquisite painting shows a warrior in full stride, with his bow and arrow poised and a full quiver of arrows. This image is far more detailed and delicate than others in the panel, so one wonders if it might represent a spiritual presence. There is also an image of a San warrior removing an arrow from his arm.
There are several intricately drawn other panels. Perhaps the most important of these is a painting of what appears to be Shamans transforming into Therianthropes.
There are a range of other images and panels of humans and various animals.
The earliest systematic recording of Battle Cave was carried out by archaeologist Aron Mazel in 1980. He counted more than 1,200 images in the shelter. Before Mazel’s formal survey, the cave had been referenced in earlier studies. Notably, Alex Willcox included images and analysis of the battle scene in his 1956 publication, The Rock Art of South Africa. Willcox’s work marked one of the earliest efforts to interpret the dynamic compositions found at Battle Cave and to speculate on their possible meanings.
Injisuthi is renowned for its spectacular hikes. One of the most popular is “Marble Baths”. “Mafadi”, the highest peak in South Africa, is also found in this conservancy. The height of this peak is 3,450 metres.
