Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg Mountains are the highest mountain range in South Africa. Famous for the rock formation known as the ‘Amphitheatre’ this is a great walking and exploring area of stunning natural beauty.
When to Go
Best Time to Go
Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) are the most popular times to visit the Drakensberg as the weather is relatively stable and it isn’t too hot for walking.
Perfect for hiking and walking
Ancient San Bushmen rock art and cave paintings
Made a World Heritage site in 2000
Well-known for the Drakensberg boys choir
Dramatic Peaks & Epic Trails
The Dutch Voortrekkers named them ‘the Dragon Mountains’ due to their resemblance to a dragon’s back, whereas the Zulus named them uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’. The mountains stretch 1000 kilometres, but the best-known area is in KwaZulu-Natal and borders Lesotho. The uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park is here and was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000. It is home to 48 species of mammal and over 200 species of bird, including the bald vulture and bearded ibis.
Activities
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa, and an area of natural beauty known for its rock formations and eclectic mix of outdoor activities.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
Explore the History & Culture
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The Drakensberg is the perfect venue for keen walkers and hikers, as there are countless trails to choose from. Rock climbing is also popular, as is horse riding, mountain biking and fishing.
Those requiring a little more culture can explore the nearby battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars, visit the famous Drakensberg Boys Choir, or admire some of the numerous paintings made on rock faces and in caves by the San Bushmen hundreds of years ago.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
Good to Know
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Top months to visit?
The summer months can be unreliable with many dramatic thunderstorms, whereas the winter months are very cold and there can be snow.
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