Welcome to Our Mountains

The Drakensberg World Heritage Park comprises six KwaZulu Wildlife (formerly Natal Parks Board (NPB)) reserves and six State Forests administered by KwaZulu Wildlife. Together, they extend over almost 250,000ha along the great Drakensberg escarpment. The park contains the world's largest collection of rock art with more than 600 sites with 35,000 paintings.

The scenic splendour of this beautiful park repeatedly attracts large numbers of both local and international tourists. Within the borders of this magnificent mountain range are a number of Wilderness Areas in which no development of any kind is permitted and along the periphery are a number of small gateway towns with an ample selection of accommodation.

The Drakensberg Publicity Association has additional information relating to the many enjoyable activities available in the Drakensberg - also see the reading and publicity Association list.

Zulu speaking people call these mountains "uKhahlamba" - 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 thousands of wonderful examples of their artistry in the caves and overhangs of these mountains.

Today, the Drakensberg Park - or simply the "Drakensberg" is a world wide magnet for those who enjoy climbing, rambling, hiking , camping, bird watching or who simply appreciate peace to enjoy the 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 in which to quench your thirst with sweet Drakensberg water or bathe in, waterfalls and many pleasant dams well stocked with trout.   Needless to say, the Drakensberg Park is an absolute mecca for the fly fisherman.

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 foothills but a few are discreetly situated under the mountains themselves.

Most of the higher areas fall under the authority of 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, each of which have their own character.

Back . . .