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
The hut accommodates up to 30 people and is situated just off the main route of the Giant's Cup Trail, slightly above the South African border post and overlooking the Bushman's River and views of the far southern drakensberg.Thaba Ngwangwe and Tomathu Peak can also be seen up on the escarpment on either side of Ngwang ... Read More...
Most mountaineers describe Ship's Prow Pass as the most difficult non-rock pass in the Berg - it is the highest in the Berg after all. The view from the top is legendary. Going up the North Fork is not not advised due to falling rock, rather go up the South Fork. Read More...
Barker's Chalet is a huge overhang overlooking a wonderful wooded gorge within which runs a stream that becomes perfect for swimming during summer. Because it is so close to Cathedral Peak Hotel, the traffic through the area is high and you will get little privacy during the day. Read More...
Located in Ethels Drive, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge offers panoramic views over the Northern Drakensberg. The quirky hostel has a rock pool, hot tub and a restaurant. Free WiFi is available. The individually decorated rooms at Amphitheatre Backpackers are fitted with a fan, tea-and-coffee making facilities, linen a ... Read More...
In the foothills of the southern Drakensberg nestles Castleburn a home to eland, reedbuck and 100 species of bird, who flock to the re-established wetlands. Spacious, thatched, architect-designed cottages, built of hand-hewn local stone, cluster around Lake Madingofani. Its shimmering surface reflects the rocky summits ... Read More...
Smaller the Marble Baths Cave but does offer even more protection from the wind and rain. The cave top is very low in the sleeping area. Its an easy day hike to the cave and well worth staying a night over in the cave. Read More...
Meander Hut overlooks meander stream and is set on the edge of the hill. A really stunning view over the valley looking back towards Highmoor. Meader Hut has been rebuilt. The second image in the gallery shows what the hut once looked like. The hut has been repaired to its former glory. It is a wonderful place to sle ... Read More...
Cyprus cave was formed when the underlying soil was washed away by the stream that flows over the top into a pool in front of the cave. The cave is named after the cyprus grass which grows in the area. Read More...
Set in picturesque Bonjaneni, this 4-star hotel complex offers contemporary accommodation with stunning views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Luxury amenities include an outdoor pool and an equestrian centre. Each guest unit at Alpine Heath Resort features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a seating area with a s ... Read More...
The steep ascent through The Crack Pass is aided by a chain ladder. It is potentially dangerous. Read More...
This 5-day hike features some of the most dramatic scenery in the whole of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The route passes through the Amphitheatre, Mbundini, Mnweni, The Rockeries, The Saddle and The Cathedral range. The first day’s hike takes hikers up the chain-ladder to the top of the Amphitheatre. From here, th ... Read More...
Nutcracker cave is in the Cobham area, its 7km from the camp. The cave has a sloping floor and offers good shelter from storms. In summer it is quite damp in the cave. Lakes cave is a further 2 km up and is the best alternative for an overnight camp if in this area of Cobham. Read More...
Rat Hole Cave is in the Mnweni area, just above Madonna Pass. The cave is a narrow tunnel about 7m deep and can sleep up to 4 people. This cave is not for you if you have claustrophobia. Read More...
A strenuous 9.5km hike from Buskman's Nek Camp. A Map and knowledge of the area is necessary as no path exists in parts. The total elevation gain is 645 meters, no part of the hike is downhill. The cave could fit 50 people but 12 is the maximum allowed by Ezemvelo. A stream is below the cave all year and the sunrise i ... Read More...
The longest of all the hikes from Highmoor Camp rewarded with great views along the way. Mount Lebanon Peak can be viewed from the Highmoor Campsite. The peak is 2 153 m high. In the gallery you will see how the small Kamloops Dam had overflowed from a short downpour a little earlier, always keep an eye on the weather ... Read More...
Spare Rib Cave is on your left 1.6km from Bannerman Hut going up Bannerman Pass (thus about half way up the pass). To get to the cave some care should be taken near the entrance as its on rock and it not level. The views from the cave are beautiful. In summer the cave is wet and a better alternative is to stay in Bann ... Read More...
Bath Plug Cave is located in the Cobham area. It's a large cave with bushman paintings, thus no camping is allowed. The cave is 4km from the Cobham Reserve. The cave name comes from the large hole in the cave through which the water disappears into. The images in Bath Plug Cave are very eroded as a result of natural ... Read More...
Madonna and her Worshippers is in the Mnweni area. Read More...
Ntabahlope is in the Giants Castle region of the Drakensberg. Read More...
Ben Macdhui (also spelled Ben Macdui) is a 3,001-metre mountain in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was named after Ben Macdhui in Scotland. It is the highest peak entirely within the Eastern Cape; KwaDuma is higher, but it lies on the border with Lesotho Read More...
Enjoy a peaceful, scenic & memorable getaway to Underberg. Mount Grace is situated in the Underberg area which is known for it's activities and adventures and is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, fly fishing fanatics, mountain bikers, paddlers, bird watchers and adventure seekers alike. There are so many interes ... Read More...
Cathedral Peak is located within the Cathedral Peak area and is near Bell Cave. Read More...
Formerly a Fire Lookout the hut is located in the Cathedral Peak Reserve. The hut is very exposed to the elements. The view from the hut is from Cathkin Peak in the south to the Amphitheatre in the north, with Cathedral Peak range jutting out in the middle. Read More...
Luxury 4 Star Accommodation on a beautiful golf course. Above the magnificent stone Clubhouse at Gowrie Farm Golf Lodge are five luxury en-suite bedrooms with stunning views over Clubhouse Lake and the golf course. These rooms are bed and breakfast accommodation with easy access to several delightful restaurants withi ... Read More...
The Tsekesteke Pass follows a beautiful trail along the Tsekesteke river and the gully alongside the Pyramid and the Column. This pass is moderately difficult. Read More...
Located above the chain ladders in Royal Natal Reserve. Read More...
11.5 km (4 hours) via Pinnacle Rock and an elevation gain of 432m The hike is good for bird watching and game viewing. It follows the Emerald Stream, past indigenous forest to a spectacular waterfall with pools suitable for swimming on the way back form the cave. The cave is a real cave with great views into the vall ... Read More...
About 4 km north of Cayley Lodge above the Ama Swazi settlement is an extensive rock ledge where 2 small streams enter the valley below. On the South side of this ledge is a small overhand with some reasonably well-preserved paintings comprising of a few Eland some other antelope, human figures and a very faint rianthr ... Read More...
Champagne Castle Peak on the left followed by the Dragon's back on its right hand side. Read More...
20 Mount Champagne, a property with a tennis court, barbecue facilities and a garden, is situated in Bergview, 600 m from Drakensberg Boys' Choir School, 1.9 km from Dingaan's Cave, as well as 2 km from Bottlebrush Place. This holiday home also has a restaurant. The holiday home features a kitchen with a dining area an ... Read More...
12.5 kms (5 hours) via Pholela Hut and an elevation gain of 530m. The hike via Pholela Cave follows day 1 of the giants cup trail in reverse for the first 7.25km's and then you turn left (continue straight) and follow Gxalingenwa River up the valley. The cave is a real cave with great views into the valley. It' ... Read More...
Easter Cave is between Ntonjelana Pass and Easter Pass (Christmas Pass). About 200m up and North after climbing to the top of Easter Pass. Read More...
Lakes cave is 12km from the Cobham Reserve. The cave is spacious but can only sleep 8 max (2 would need to sleep on the top ledge). A river is below the cave and the views are excellent. Sunrise from above the cave is amazing with view of both the small and big berg on a clear day. If raining and windy the bottom sec ... Read More...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
KwaDuma is the highest peak in the Eastern Cape province. Read More...