The Drakensberg offers the most beautiful scenery imaginable, a challenge for adventure seekers, quiet for nature lovers, accommodation of a world-class standard, hikes for family and mountaineer and picture perfect views.
Information about the Maloti-Drakensberg
Starting at the Gorge car park in Royal Natal head roughly South up the hill. This is a steep hike of 558m elevation gain over 3.3km. The views at the top of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and the Sentinel are magnificent. Read More...
From Left to right: Eastern Buttress, Devil's Tooth, Inner Tower and the Escarpment. Read More...
The Sphinx is in the Monks Cowl region of the Drakensberg. Read More...
Found at the top of the escarpment in Cathedral Peak, the picture alongside says it all. Water however is only found just over 1km from the cave. Read More...
For professional guiding in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Mountain Range, which includes multi day hikes into the High Berg or just a over nighters for first time hikers, wanting to experience a hiking trip for the first time. Berg Adventure operates from the Midlands town of Estcourt, very central to the ... Read More...
Welcome to Wild Sky paragliding school and lodge. We are in Bulwer, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. We offer paragliding courses, paragliding tandem flights, and paragliding guiding. Bulwer is one of the best places to learn to paraglide! There are ten different paragliding sites in the area that f ... Read More...
This is one of the Berg's most popular day hikes – for good reason. It's not too taxing, and it takes you through a big forest with yellowwood trees, and there are moss-covered rocks and tree trunks everywhere. You only realise how high you've climbed once you emerge from the forest. From the lookout you can see Cathk ... Read More...
Mpongweni (Sipongweni) North Shelter is in the Cobham area. Mpongweni North Shelter is a must visit if you are interested in Bushman Paintings. It's a long uphill hike of about 6 hours to the site but well worth the visit. Probably best to overnight and make this a 2 day trip. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: Women ... Read More...
The long way to get to Bannerman Hut, 14km's, 609m uphill most of which is in the 1st half of the hike, its pretty flat thereafter. The views from Bannerman Hut and the relative luxury of the hut overnight will make the hike worth while. Read More...
A cosy haven situated in the Northern Kwazulu Natal region. A breath beneath the Drakensberg Mountains and in the slope of a hidden valley. Majestic in appearance and elegant down to every last detail. The rooms are inspired by luxurious living and superb comfort. Cathkin House offers an experience like no other, wi ... Read More...
A place to unwind...Umzimkulu River Lodge offers serviced, DB&B, B&B or self-catering accommodation on one of the most picturesque bends of the Umzimkulu River in Underberg. We are situated 2 hours from DBN and 6 hrs from JHB in the foothills of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. Perfectly pla ... Read More...
Located in Cathkin Park, Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, BBQ facilities and shared lounge. This resort features free WiFi and a bar. The restaurant serves South african cuisine. At the resort, rooms have a desk and a flat-screen TV. Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort provides certain rooms ... Read More...
Tlanyaku Pass is a steep pass located in the Cathedral Peak area. It is situated between Ndedema Dome and the Sphinx. Read More...
Mashai Pass is often used by hikers climbing the Rhino. Some sections are harshly eroded making it a tricky pass to do. It is the first gully North of Mlambonja Peak and has cairns marking the top. Read More...
Old maps may refer to this as "Bushman's River Pass", as it was known in the 19th century. The exact date of the name change to "Langalibalele Pass" is uncertain, but makes reference to the arrest of the amaHlubi Chief Langalibalele at the top of this pass in 1873. Seven people died during this capture, five from the E ... Read More...
Whyte's Cave is in the Garden Castle area, accessible from either Garden Castle or Bushman's Nek. The cave has a level floor and provides faily good protection from bad weather. Read More...
The Marutswa Forest Trails and Bird Boardwalk in Bulwer are among KwaZulu-Natal’s finest treasures. This is a richly populated birding spot in a historic indigenous forest where ancient trees soar overhead in a whispering canopy of subtly changing hues. Read More...
KwaDuma is the highest peak in the Eastern Cape province. Read More...
Spectacle Cave is in the Cobham area. This is a large cave with level areas for 6 people offers good protection from bad weather. Pholela and Gorge Cave are very close by. Read More...
Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo) is located in the Garden Castle area. Read More...
Xeni (Kwaliqenu) Cave is in the Cathedral Peak area above the Xeni river. The cave is huge with a flat floor and can easily sleep 12 people. The large overhang provides excellent protection from bad weather. Read More...
Ribbon Falls Cave is in the Cathedral Peak area. The floor is level and offers good protection from storms. Read More...
Trojan Wall is in the Injisuthi area. Read More...
Featuring mountain views, 124 The Fairways is a chalet with a garden, a terrace and shared lounge. Complimentary private parking is provided. Composed of 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, this chalet comes with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. There is a seating area and a kitchen complete with an oven, a microwave a ... Read More...
Giants cave is on your left going up Giants Castle Pass. Higher up to your right is Giants Cave 2. Read More...
Three Pools Cave is in the Monks Cowl area. This is a large cave and provides good shelter from the elements. The views overlooking the Valley make the hike up to the cave worth while. Read More...
An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 377m. The cave is huge and offers excellent protection from bad weather. The last section on the way to the cave is up some wooden steps.There is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably. The video by Patrik Kjellgren @patttrici shows how bi ... Read More...
The Maliba Circular Route is a 13km hike (8miles), starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, following the Upper Route to Black Pool, then climbing steadily up to 2626m above sea level. Thereafter you come down the fairly steep valley to the ventilation shaft, and then circle back to the lodge through gate #8 and the river po ... Read More...
An extreme 6 to 7 hrs hike - 10km. A long arduous hike requiring a high level of fitness. Starts from Cathedral Peak Hotel, up the path to the Cathedral Ridge. Rock scrambling is often necessary due to rock slides on the gully below the peak. Read More...
Painter's Cave is in the Bushman's Nek area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: In the contact period and especially after the arrival of the Europeans, Bushman groups changed from being hunter-gatherers to being raiders and traders for the sake of their survival. Bushman raiders kept the horses for themselves as hors ... Read More...
Caracal Cave easily accommodates 8 people and is approximately 5.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is a relatively easy hike to the Cave and a bit of a climb back to the parking area. This is a comfortable cave, although quite dusty. Water supply is seasonal, although has been seen in winter months wh ... Read More...
Sherman's Cave can sleep to and is only 3.6km from Cathedral Peak Hotel, the hike to the cave is all uphill with a total elevation gain of 429m. Read More...
A relatively easy day hike for the family (probably 8 and above). A steep hill on the way to the hut but almost all downhill after. The views from the hut looking back towards Highmoor and into the valley below are worthwhile. Meader Hut has been rebuilt. The second image in the gallery shows what the hut once ... Read More...
Mount Amery is in the AmaZizi Traditional Authority Area which includes the the Busingatha, Okhombe and Obanjaneni wards. Read More...
Two routes are possible, one via Lammergeier Cave or via Thamathu Cave. The route via Thamathu cave is recommended as a path can be followed the whole way. The hike via Lammergeier cave has no path for about half the hike and unless you know the area well and have a good map this route should not be attempted. Read More...
Thaba Phutsoa is in Lesotho. Read More...
Langalibalele Cave is in Garden Castle near the base of Langaibalele Peak. No camping is permitted due to the cave having Bushman Paintings. The exact location has not been shown. Read More...
Sigubudu / Ungiyeza is in the Royal Natal area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: This painting includes several animals, such as eland, mountain rhebuck and even part of a cobra (beneath the running eland). Bushmen legends relate that snakes were linked with rain-making rituals. Soft or female rain was interpreted a ... Read More...
A great day hike that's easy and suitable for younger children. As you walk along the Bushman's Nek River and deeper into the valley you will get a great feeling of being outdoors. Some of the gallery pictures show the area when it had snowed. The snow was 3 foot deep near Halfway/Slab cave and no path could be found, ... Read More...
Surrounded by mountains and nature, Bushmans Nek is located 37 km away from Underberg. The resort features a restaurant, spa and a rock swimming pool. A variety of outdoor activities are offered. The classically decorated rooms at the hotel are equipped with TV and tea-and-coffee making facilities and the spacious apar ... Read More...
Situated within 25 km of Howick, 10 Woodridge Forest offers accommodation in Balgowan. This country house is conveniently set along one the Midlands Meander routes. Each of the 2 luxurious self-catering apartments features views of the rolling hills and a modern open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining area. These TV-free ... Read More...
All Out Adventures, situated in the unspoilt KZN Northern Drakensberg just off the R74, mid way between Joburg and Durban, offers 7 awesome activities at one spectacular venue. Highlights include SA's fastest Cable Tour, Adventure Quad Trails, 50kms of marked mountain bike trails, and a hair raising 17 meter free fall ... Read More...
Mnweni Inner Pinacle is in the Mnweni area.The inner pinnacle is on the right. Read More...
Offering magnificent views of the Drakensberg mountain range, Little Switzerland Resort is located a 30-minute drive from Bergville. The resort offers rooms and self-catering chalets. The accommodation will provide you with a seating area, heating, satellite TV and tea-and-coffee making facilities. The chalets also off ... Read More...
Castle Buttress is located within the Cathedral Peak area. Organ Pipes Pass is the closest pass. Read More...
For the avid birder, a visit to the Drakensberg promises tiny gems such as the brilliant-green flash of a malachite sunbird; the chatty cacophony of a flock of masked weavers; to a breathtaking glimpse of the rare black eagle, martial eagle, lammergeyer (bearded vulture) or lanner falcon revelling in its natural habita ... Read More...
Mike's Pass is a demanding gravel 4X4 pass high in the mountains near Bergville. Read More...
From the Mnweni Cultural Centre this is a long hike of 14.5km and elevation gain of 546m. The views from near the cave of Fangs and Mbundini pass are stunning. Read More...