The Drakensberg – South Africa"s Magnificent Drakensberg Mountains
It's odd that the southern end of Africa's Great Rift Valley, the 9,700 (6,000 mile) scar that is slowly tearing the continent in two - inch by inch, millennium by millennium - should actually be a mountain range. But the final thrust of the fault is South Africa's formidable Drakensberg, a 200 km (124-mile) arc of jagged mountain peaks that run roughly north-south through Kwazulu-Natal, forming the border with Lesotho.
Known to the Afrikaans as Drakensberg (Dragon's Mountain), the Zulu name is perhaps even more evocative - uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears).
Bushman Paintings
Much of the area has long been a vast National Park, covering 243,000 ha (938 square miles). In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only for its natural beauty, flora and fauna but for an estimated 40,000 San (Bushman) rock paintings at around 550 different sites. It is believed to be the largest collection of prehistoric art in sub-Saharan Africa. Dating is extremely difficult but some is thought to be extremely old; some is as late as the 19th century. You can do guided tours with specialist guides who will explain the symbolism behind the various characters. Be prepared for energetic scrambling. There is also an interpretive centre at Kamberg, near Giant's Castle in the central Drakensberg.
The Height of Beauty
With 299 species of bird, 48 species of mammal and a huge variety of plantlife, from yellowwood forest to rare montane grasslands, there is enough to keep any nature lover ecstatic.
For most, the Drakensberg are simply a place to commune with awe-inspiring beauty - to gaze at the sheer sandstone and basalt cliffs that soar thousands of feet to jagged razor peaks, crowned with fluffy cotton wool clouds and draped with cascading waterfalls. Mafedi Peak, 3,482 metres (11,424 ft) is the highest point in South Africa. The northern Tugela Falls have a drop of 947m (3,107ft), in five cascades, making them the second highest in the world (after the Angel Falls in Venezuela). The only reason they are not as well known is that they are also very skinny! The Sani Pass, the somewhat rugged route across to Lesotho in the south of the range, has the country's highest pub, at 2,874m (9,430 ft).
There are many superb walking routes, from gentle strolls through to serious hikes. Climbers test their mettle on the rock walls and ice-climb in winter when snow blankets the high ground. The rivers offer the opportunities for canoeing and white-knuckle whitewater rafting. There is riding and, inevitably, golf. Hotels range from simple b&b's to extremely comfortable with spas. Chintz and comfy chairs tend to feature heavily, along with log fires in winter.
Getting There
The one frustration is that there are no connecting roads along the mountain peaks so the whole regions ends up being divided into clearly defined districts. A main road, the N3, runs parallel to the range near its base, and a series of side roads lead to small towns including Himeville, Underberg, Balgowan, Nottingham Road, Rosetta, Mooi River, Estcourt, Winterton and Bergville. From these, mountain roads climb into different areas of the park. To reach the next, you either have to come back down or go on foot.
Known to the Afrikaans as Drakensberg (Dragon's Mountain), the Zulu name is perhaps even more evocative - uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears).
Bushman Paintings
Much of the area has long been a vast National Park, covering 243,000 ha (938 square miles). In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only for its natural beauty, flora and fauna but for an estimated 40,000 San (Bushman) rock paintings at around 550 different sites. It is believed to be the largest collection of prehistoric art in sub-Saharan Africa. Dating is extremely difficult but some is thought to be extremely old; some is as late as the 19th century. You can do guided tours with specialist guides who will explain the symbolism behind the various characters. Be prepared for energetic scrambling. There is also an interpretive centre at Kamberg, near Giant's Castle in the central Drakensberg.
The Height of Beauty
With 299 species of bird, 48 species of mammal and a huge variety of plantlife, from yellowwood forest to rare montane grasslands, there is enough to keep any nature lover ecstatic.
For most, the Drakensberg are simply a place to commune with awe-inspiring beauty - to gaze at the sheer sandstone and basalt cliffs that soar thousands of feet to jagged razor peaks, crowned with fluffy cotton wool clouds and draped with cascading waterfalls. Mafedi Peak, 3,482 metres (11,424 ft) is the highest point in South Africa. The northern Tugela Falls have a drop of 947m (3,107ft), in five cascades, making them the second highest in the world (after the Angel Falls in Venezuela). The only reason they are not as well known is that they are also very skinny! The Sani Pass, the somewhat rugged route across to Lesotho in the south of the range, has the country's highest pub, at 2,874m (9,430 ft).
There are many superb walking routes, from gentle strolls through to serious hikes. Climbers test their mettle on the rock walls and ice-climb in winter when snow blankets the high ground. The rivers offer the opportunities for canoeing and white-knuckle whitewater rafting. There is riding and, inevitably, golf. Hotels range from simple b&b's to extremely comfortable with spas. Chintz and comfy chairs tend to feature heavily, along with log fires in winter.
Getting There
The one frustration is that there are no connecting roads along the mountain peaks so the whole regions ends up being divided into clearly defined districts. A main road, the N3, runs parallel to the range near its base, and a series of side roads lead to small towns including Himeville, Underberg, Balgowan, Nottingham Road, Rosetta, Mooi River, Estcourt, Winterton and Bergville. From these, mountain roads climb into different areas of the park. To reach the next, you either have to come back down or go on foot.
Source...