Discover the Drakensberg

If you’re looking to escape the ordinary on your next local holiday, embark on the ultimate South African journey through the Drakensberg region of the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Unique and varied with a surprise around every corner, ‘The Berg’, as the locals lovingly call it, has long lured in adventure-seekers from near and far. Best described as the place where the Alps-meets-Africa, it is filled to the brim with towering mountains and meandering roadways winding through quaint isiZulu villages, hidden hotels and eclectic padstals.

Up for a hike? The Drakensberg offers endless opportunities to lace up your Salomans and stretch out your legs after a long drive. Take your pick from easy ‘slackpacking’ trails such as Sugarloaf or the Injisuthi Battle Cave Walk, or overnight camping routes Icidi Gorge and The Bell Traverse. Whichever route you choose to conquer, the endless views will make the feat well worth it.

At the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains you’ll find the rolling KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the Royal Natal National Park, an addictively chilled-out kind of place where you can walk, hike, climb, ride horses, trout fish and watch wildlife to your heart’s content. And when you’re ready to hang up the car keys for a chance in pace, you’ll find no shortage of cosy towns like Underberg, the gateway to the Southern Drakensberg. Known for its dairy and cattle farming, the surroundings offer a bounty of green expanse to explore at your own leisure.

Activities & Local Attractions

Royal Natal National Park

The Royal Natal National Park forms part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, and it’s one of the best places to go hiking in the Drakensberg region. There are dozens of trails, and trout fishing is also superb at the Mahai and Thukela dams. It’s a stellar location for birding, and horse riding is also popular if you’d like to saddle up.

The main features of the park are the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rocky wall standing 1,200 metres high, the Mont-Aux-Sources peak, (the source for the Orange and Tugela rivers), and of course, Tugela Falls, the world's second-highest waterfall, measuring in at 948 metres.

Sani Pass

Off-roaders, assemble! The legendary Sani Pass into Lesotho is the highest pass in the country and rewards those who take on the winding dirt road with panoramic views over the landscape.

This famous mountain pass is situated along the road between the town of Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal and Mokhotlong in Lesotho. At 2,876 metres above sea level, make sure you bring your 4x4 with proper ground clearance. At the summit, stop for a well-deserved cold one at the Sani Mountain Lodge, home to the highest pub in Africa.

Drakensberg rock art

Welcome to one of the largest outdoor art galleries. The Drakensberg region boasts more than 35,000 individual recorded images at more than 600. With so many to see, it’s best to start your South African journey at the educational centres at Kamberg and Didima, which offer in-depth guided tours.

The Didima Rock Art Centre is located on the R600, roughly 20 minutes’ drive from the Cathedral Peak Hotel, while the Kamberg Rock Art Centre can be found within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, with guided walks taking place daily at 08:30am, 11am or 1:30pm.

Drakensberg Brewery

This thriving independent brewery has long been a pitstop for travellers making their way through the Drakensberg region. Stop in for beer tastings any day of the week, with the Amphitheatre Red Ale, Cathederal Peak Pilsner and Champagne Castle Blonde Ale being some of the fond favourites on tap.

Located in a hangar on an airfield near the small town of Ardmore along the R600, the Drakensberg Brewery is the perfect spot to gather for a post-Drakensberg activity refresher. The restaurant next door offers hearty meals to line the belly while the Drakensberg Memory Chocolates is ideal for those looking for something a little sweeter than a local brew…

The Draken's Burger Diner

The Draken’s Burger Diner sits right at the entrance of Little Switzerland Resort, located along the Oliviershoek Pass (R74). If you love your meat, these flame-grilled burgers alone will complete your journey through the Drakensberg and will quickly persuade you to travel more frequently along this scenic route instead of the usual N3.

While waiting for your meal, you can also fill up the tank at the petrol station nearby and top up on padkos at the quick shop located here, too.

Cathedral Peak Wine Estate

If you thought that South African vineyards could only be found within the Western Cape, think again. Quietly nestled within the Winterton area of the Central Drakensberg, this is just the place to wind down and top up your glass with some local Pinotage (only if you’re not the designated driver, of course).

The top treats on the menu at Cathederal Wine Estate include the Drakensberg smoked trout salad, homemade Bobotie and a variety of cheese and fruit platters.

Where to stay

Little Switzerland Resort

This charming resort offers a little taste of Europe right here in South Africa, with quaint Alpine chalets and hotel rooms with breath-taking views of the region. There’s a fantastic bar on-site, and a light and airy dining area. There are also plenty of activities to try during your stay, like fishing, horse riding and easy hiking trails leading just off the property. What more could you want?

LEARN MORE >