|
Search
this site
View
Map of South Africa
Copyright © All
World Vacation Station
|
 |
UKAHLAMBA
DRAKENSBERG
(WORLD HERITAGE SITE) - KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
|
|
 Five
of the best things to do in South Africa’s Drakensberg
This
beautiful area of KwaZulu-Natal lies inland from the Indian Ocean coast,
with spectacular crags of sandstone and basalt, amidst beautiful grasslands
and has now been dubbed the Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park. The scenery
is quite simply stunning with excellent accommodation options and plenty
to do... read more
The
Mighty Drakensberg Mountains
Booking.com
Drakensberg
Travel Guide
The impressive bulk of the mountains
the Zulus called Ukahlamba - the barrier of spears - and the Voortrekkers
called the Drakensberg - the dragon mountain - is an impressive rampart
of sandstone and basalt that separates the well watered Indian Ocean coast
from the dryer, harsher interior. Most of the escarpment falls under the
Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park. This beautiful montane grassland is
bright green in summer after the rains and fades to a delicate blonde,
often with snowy highlights, in winter.
It's a great hiking destination
with a range of trails from walks of an hour or two to long epics such
as the Drakensberg Traverse, which takes about three to four weeks. Fabulous
rock art tells the story of the San, or Bushmen, who lived here till bigger,
stronger, more aggressive peoples pushed them aside. With over 2,500 flowering
plants, many of which are endemic, and game such as baboons, eland and
other antelope you'll never lack for something to look at. The birding
is great, too, with the rare Lammergeier, or bearded vulture, being one
of the real mega-ticks of the area.
The mountain slopes offer
great paragliding - particularly at Bulwer and Oliviershoek - and adventurous
ice climbers tackle the frozen waterfalls in winter. Four by four enthusiasts
and keen mountain bikers enjoy the challenge of Sani Pass and others, while
those who prefer a less technological form of travel can enjoy pony trekking
in the hills. Dams and streams are stocked with trout and some, such as
the Sterkfontein Dam, harbour the even more challenging indigenous yellow
fish.
Golf courses, spas, and a
range of cute coffee shops, funky craft shops, art studios, breweries,
cheese factories and other rural delights complete the list of attractions.
There is truly, something for everyone.
The uKhahlamba – Drakensberg
Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses,
incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high
altitude grasslands, the pristine steep-sided river valleys and rocky gorges
also contribute to the beauty of the site. The site's diversity of habitats
protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially
birds and plants. This spectacular natural site also contains many caves
and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings
in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of
4,000 years. The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and diversity
of subject and in their depiction of animals and human beings. They represent
the spiritual life of the San people who no longer live in this region.
Justification for Inscription
* Criterion (i): The rock
art of the Drakensberg is the largest and most concentrated group of rock
paintings in Africa south of the Sahara and is outstanding both in quality
and diversity of subject.
* Criterion (iii): The San
people lived in the mountainous Drakensberg area for more than four millennia,
leaving behind them a corpus of outstanding rock art which throws much
light on their way of life and their beliefs.
Source: UNESCO
Top
|
CENTRAL
DRAKENSBERG / BATTLEFIELDS ACCOMMODATION
|
|
FEATURED
BED & BREAKFASTS/GUEST HOUSES/LODGES IN CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
|
|
 |
Ardmore
Guest Farm, Guest House, Farm Lodge, Dinner, B&B, Winterton, CENTRAL
DRAKENSBERG
We provide personal, farm-style
accommodation on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis. Ardmore Guest farm
is situated in the enchanting Champagne valley of the central Drakensberg,
just below the majestic Champagne Castle (2nd highest peak in South Africa
at 3377m) and Cathkin Peak Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Ardmore – the perfect lodging when you travel South Africa. |
 |
Winterton
Country Lodge @Rose Cottage B & B, Winterton, CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
A perfect stop over or hide
away from everydays chaos! Romantic and quaint! Abundant birdlife with
peace and tranquility! Indulge yourself in our lovely garden, cool
down in the inviting splash pool or try some flyfishing in the dam. Enjoy
a sundowner in the lapa, overlooking the majestic drakensberg. Treat yourself
with a homestyle cooked dinner at candle light. A hearty farm breakfast
will be served in the charming dining room or in the lapa. Arts & crafts,
golfing, hiking, horseriding, game reserve, quad biking, river rafting,
well known Drakensberg boys choir School and much much more, close by! |
 |
Spion
Kop Lodge, Self-Catering/B&B, Winterton, Battlefields,
CENTRAL
DRAKENSBERG
Tranquil and relaxing with
a choice of activities, has been transformed into a beautiful 4 Star Lodge,
offering an Out of Africa Experience, with warm hospitality, 8 well-appointed,
double-ensuite bedrooms, plus two self-contained cottages, is set in tranquil,
park like grounds. Housing a library, cosy pub, conference centre,
swimming pool and dining room with breathtaking views, fine cuisine.
This owner-managed destination, situated on a 703 hectare ecco farm, offers
Battlefield Tours, Birding, Boat cruises, Game Viewing, Drakensberg Mountain
Hikes and Horse-riding amongst the animals. Relive the past that
changed the future! |
More
Drakensberg accommodation
FEATURED
SELF-CATERING IN CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
|
|
|
Spion
Kop Lodge, Self-Catering/B&B, Winterton, Battlefields, CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
SPION KOP LODGE : (KwaZulu
Natal) tranquil and relaxing with a choice of activities, has been transformed
into a beautiful 4 Star Lodge, offering an Out of Africa Experience, with
warm hospitality, 8 well-appointed, double-ensuite bedrooms, plus two self-contained
cottages, is set in tranquil, park like grounds. Swimming pool and
dining room with breathtaking views, fine cuisine. This owner-managed
destination, situated on a 703 hectare ecco farm, offers Battlefield Tours,
Birding, Boat cruises, Game Viewing, Drakensberg Mountain Hikes and Horse-riding
amongst the animals. Relive the past that changed the future! |
More
Drakensberg accommodation
FEATURED
DRAKENSBERG PARK (WORLD HERITAGE SITE) AND SURROUNDS
|
|
 |
Cathedral
Peak Hotel, DRAKENSBERG PARK
Cathedral Peak Hotel is
famous for warm hospitality, luxurious accommodation and excellent cuisine.
This award winning resort has achieved the perfect balance between being
a family resort and a premier conference venue. Accommodation, ranging
from Deluxe Suites to Family Interleading Duluxe Suites, is available.
A wide range of sporting facilities offered at the Hotel includes daily
guided walks, guided horse and pony rides, tennis, squash,swimming, bowls,
volleyball, table tennis, badminton, floodlit mini-adventure golf &
trout fishing. The hotel’s immaculate 9-hole golf course has been termed
“the thinking golfer’s course” and has alternate tees for a challenging
18-hole game. |
More
Drakensberg accommodation
Top
|
