The Drakensberg Text Only

Zulu speaking people call these mountains Quathlamba - The Barrier of Spears. The soaring buttresses, remote valleys, deep gorges and the spectacular summer thunderstorms lead early settlers to call these ancient heights The Drakensberg - Dragon Mountains - for they believed that it was not impossible that dragons might live within their fastnesses.The great basalt escarpment of the Drakensberg rises to more than 3000 metres (10,000ft) encompassing the highest point in Southern Africa and forming the western border of Kwazulu-Natal with the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

For thousands of years the San (Bushmen) lived and hunted the great eland around the ridges and valleys of the Drakensberg. Forced firstly to starvation and secondly to cattle rustling by the influx of European and Zulu speaking people in the 19th century, they were finally pushed to extinction. Fortunately, these peaceful people who lived in complete harmony with their environment have left many wonderful examples of their artistry in the caves and overhangs of the mountains.

Today, the Drakensberg - or simply the "Drakensberg" is a world wide magnet for those who enjoy climbing, rambling, hiking , camping, bird watching or who simply appreciate awesome mountain scenery that changes hue with every passing hour.  There are climbs to test the resolve of any climber, easy walks through indigenous forests, a portion of the National hiking Way, countless clear, cool streams to quench your thirst with sweet Drakensberg water or bathe in, waterfalls and many pleasant dams stocked with trout. Needless to say, the Drakensberg Park is an absolute mecca for the fly fisherman. Each turn of the path reveals a new vista to absorb.

For those who simply want to enjoy the peace, tranquility and solitude, the brilliant starlit nights and the sound of the birds at dawn, the Drakensberg is a marvellous, regenerating retreat and of course, during the winter, the days are ended around a cosy log fire in a convivial pub. For those who wish for something different, there are mountain bike trails and horse riding - by far the best way to see the lower Drakensberg.

The climate in the Berg is perfect all year round - in winter the crisp mornings and sunny days and in summer the warm days, afternoon thunderstorms and balmy nights.

A prodigious choice of accommodation includes luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, farms, self catering resorts and campsites. Most of the accommodation is found on the periphery of the mountains but a few are discreetly situated within the mountains themselves. Much of the higher areas fall under the authority of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service (KwaZulu Wildlife) and are called collectively The Drakensberg Park.The Park is broadly divided into Southern (Bushman's Nek to Kamberg), Central (Giants Castle to Cathedral Peak) and Northern (Royal Natal National Park) areas.