The Drakensberg

Famous for the unmatched natural beauty, extensive cave art, diverse flora and fauna, the Drakensberg mountains are one of the top attractions in South Africa. Located along the western boundary of Kwaza-Natal province, the Drakensberg mountains is called Ukhahlamba in local Zulu language.

The Drakensberg mountain range is the remnant of the African plateau and considered to be unique for its formation. This mountain range of basalt and sandstone is like barrier between the wet coastal areas and the dry land in the interior. Most of the areas fall into the territory of Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park which is a world heritage site itself.

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, summer in the Drakensberg spans from October to March but rain and mist is common all through the year. The region receives snowfall in winter. However, snow is even seen in summer.

The Drakensberg is the home to the largest collection of rock art in Africa, made thousands of years ago by the inhabitants of this region. The rock paintings were done in the caves which are present in the eroded sandstone parts of the mountains. The outstanding quality of artwork on diverse subjects was done by the Bushmen or the San people who once lived in the Drakensberg centuries ago. The rock paintings and art inside the caves tells the story of their spiritual and day to day lives. The indigenous people of the region are said to have been wiped out when stronger and aggressive groups invaded the place. Within the territory of Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park, there are around 600 sites with more than 3500 rock paintings.

The mountainous region of Drakensberg is a favorite for the adventurous tourists as the region is ideal for hiking, trekking, paragliding and bird watching. While there are trails where hiking can be done for hour or two, there are presence of long ways like Drakensberg Traverse that might take many days for hiking.

The adventurous tourists can feel the adrenaline rush in the mountain biking around the Sani Pass or they can participate in paragliding. The slopes of the the mountains, specially at Oliviershoek and Bulwer are suitable for paragliding and the ice climbers get frozen waterfalls in winter. You can also try pony trekking in the mountainous region.

Being home to more than 2000 plants and varieties of birds and animals, the Drakensberg is a ideal destination to spend some time in lap of nature and do bird watching. Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park and Royal Natal National Park are the two major national parks at The Drakensberg.

Both the parks are shelter to innumerable endemic plants and threatened species of birds and animals.

Tourism has developed in the Drakensberg with number of resorts, world class hotels, golf courses, spas, craft shops, restaurants, breweries sprang up in the region over the years. In another word, there is something for everyone in the Drakensberg.

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