The Litsumi Cave Trail

The Litsumi Cave Trail in the Tsehlanyane National Park is an 8.4 km return trip (5.25miles), climbing from 1930m to 2520m above sea level. This is a hike leaving from the park entrance. There is parking next to the rangers’ offices at the gate. It is good practice to advise the rangers you will be hiking in the area.

As you leave the parking area the path skirts the picnic site, open, and close the gate to the paddock where Basuto ponies are left overnight. Proceed straight up the hill and you will reach a wide clear path following the western side of the valley. This is the main path to Bokong, which is about 23km away. This trail is clearly marked with distance markers.

At the 3000m marker you need to turn east [left], cross the river and follow a faint path for about 1.2km along the southern side of the valley running east. This path winds up for the first 600m then it crosses a stream and climbs up a rocky patch, after which it virtually disappears through the grass. Aim at the rock waterfall. Cross above the falls and work your way up the streambed for 60m and the cave will be on your immediate right, behind fairly dense vegetation. Be aware; the Litsumi Cave is often occupied by porcupines; enter at your own risk.

This cave does have cultural value to the local community who in the past had been used it as a base for their hunting activities for centuries.