Peak High Mountaineering
Drakensberg guided expeditions (ADVENTURE / MOUNTAINEERING), South Africa
About This Retreat
Guided multi-day hiking, trekking and mountaineering programs, from 3-day Cleft Peak circuits to the 5-day, ~90 km Mini Traverse and strenuous Mafadi summit expeditions, tailored to skill level (Peak High; Cleft Peak).
Programs and Upcoming Dates
Scheduled and bespoke private departures across the year; current 2026 pages live.
Program details are published by the retreat and summarized here. Confirm dates and pricing directly with the retreat before booking.
Verification and Safety
Founded by Gavin Raubenheimer with 32 years' African climbing experience and South Africa's top guiding qualifications; every trek led by a certified professional mountain guide; small private groups.
What Guests Are Saying
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What travellers say on Google
These are reviews published on Google, not on Retreat Ledger. We show them because a listing with no first-hand accounts yet still deserves some evidence, but they are not moderated by us and they never affect the Retreat Ledger Score. Google returns at most five, chosen by them, so treat this as a sample rather than the full picture.
Five-Star Review for Gavin and Peak High I recently completed the Peak High Beginner Mountaineering Course with Gavin and it exceeded every expectation. From the start Gavin’s teaching style made complex concepts and equipment use easy to understand, and his sense of humor kept the atmosphere relaxed and fun. As someone brand-new to climbing, I always felt completely safe in his hands. The weather on our planned Sentinel Peak climb was wild—gusts strong enough to damage my trailer—but Gavin handled the situation with calm professionalism. He even helped me secure the trailer lid so I could get on the road safely, which went far beyond what I expected from a guide. Gavin’s assistant, Sarah, was equally impressive: patient, efficient, and welcoming. Together they made the entire course feel natural and enjoyable. Although we had to postpone the actual Sentinel summit, Gavin has already arranged a new date, which speaks volumes about his dedication. Witsieshoek, our base, was also fantastic—great food and comfortable facilities added to the experience. This course has opened my eyes to the world of climbing, and I’m excited to join Gavin for more advanced adventures. Highly recommended for anyone curious about mountaineering or looking for a safe, inspiring introduction to the mountains.
Read on GoogleMy wife, Suzette, and I had a most wonderful trip with Gavin / Peak High in two different parts of the Drakensberg: the northern region around Sentinel Peak / Mont-Aux-Sources; and a day trip into Lesotho to hike the highest peak in Southern Africa: Thabana Ntlenyana. Gavin is a very accomplished and expert guide and managed our trip very professionally. My shortcomings / rustiness with rock climbing after so many years prevented me from accomplishing one of my goals, but nevertheless Gavin’s patience and encouragement was very commendable in the circumstances. You can add a ‘born raconteur’ to his many skills ! Thoroughly recommended 👍🏻 and looking forward to our next adventure with him 😬 🏔️
Read on GoogleI very much enjoyed a two day‘s hike in the Northern Drakensberg region. Right from the onset everything was very well organised - I even got good advice from Gavin how to organise logistics around arrival from Pretoria - and then I went into the mountains with a very experienced and very friendly guide. It is a wonderful landscape and I had an unforgettable camping on top of the mountain. It was a wonderful weekend and I can only recommend Peak High Mountaineering!
Read on GoogleMy recent hiking trip with Peak High Mountaineering was nothing short of extraordinary. Deon, my guide, was a wealth of knowledge, deeply rooted in the landscape and South African culture, having lived in the region his entire life. His attentiveness, particularly when it came to my food allergies, was greatly appreciated, and his swift assistance with a faulty tent during a rainstorm ensured that nothing was compromised. As a solo traveler, I felt completely safe and well cared for under his guidance. The weather was spectacular, and the views were beyond breathtaking, making this trek one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve had. It stands out as one of my favorite hikes in Africa—possibly my top choice overall. I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone seeking a truly memorable adventure. If you are interested in hiking the Drakensberg mountains, I would recommend contacting Gavin (owner) at Peak High Mountaineering. You won’t be disappointed!
Read on GoogleGavin is one of the most legendary mountaineers of South Africa and is certainly one of the go-to guys for training and guiding. Gavin knows the Drakensberg mountains better than any other person in the world (quite literally) and I would chose him over any other guide in the country to keep me safe in the Drakensberg mountains! I have attended the MDT training course with Gavin and have grown up hearing stories about him. Gavin can also be super chilled out and up for friendly banter in the mountains ;)
Read on Google
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