Drakensberg accommodation, activities and adventures to experience
Maloti Drakensberg Park
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site
What is uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
You might have heard about the Drakensberg in South Africa, seen some captivating photos and heard some fascinating stories, especially hiking ones. You’ve decided it looks worth exploring. Then you do some research and find it is a large mountain range with a multitude of places to explore and adventurous activities to do. Where to go? What to do? Where to stay?
Although I am not an expert on the Drakensberg, we have visited and explored the Drakensberg and some of the surrounding areas and have stayed in a variety of accommodations. my personal visitors guide to the Drakensberg will give you some insight of what to do and where to go and might simplify your choice.
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Maloti Mountains or the Drakensberg is located in South Africa and Lesotho. Just less than 250 000 hectares is in South Africa recognized as uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. A bit more than 6 000 hectares is in Lesotho and is known as Sehlabathebe National Park.
The meaning of uKhahlamba
uKhahlamba is an isiZulu or Xhosa word meaning “barrier of spears.”
The Drakensberg means “dragon mountains” in Afrikaans and is called Maloti in Sesotho.
Facts about the Drakensberg
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg straddles KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and Lesotho, its neighbour. It also borders the Free State in South Africa.
The length of the Maloti Drakensberg is approximately 1 200 kilometres. Its highest elevation is 3 475 metres.
uKhahlamba Drakensberg rises from a broad foundation of sedimentary rock into basaltic buttresses and is capped with basalt.
Its biological diversity, ancient rock paintings and natural beauty is worth seeing, protecting and preserving.
The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, previously known as Natal Parks Board, controls approximately 90% of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. When entering the park, it is necessary to buy a permit. Hikers and climbers are required to fill in the Mountain Rescue Register accurately in case of injury or needing to be rescued.
Drakensberg Hikes has some useful information.
Where is the Drakensberg?
How to get to the Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is further divided into the Southern Drakensberg, Central Drakensberg and Northern Drakensberg. Because the area is so vast, it is difficult to choose a specific area to explore. Each area is unique and has its own attractions.
The closest city to the Drakensberg is Pietermaritzburg. The next closest city is Durban.
The N3 national highway runs between Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Mooi River, Estcourt, Harrismith and further north west, Johannesburg.
Hot tips:
Durban to Southern Drakensberg - approximately 220 - 240 kilometres depending on your route and will take at least 3 hours.
Durban to Central Drakensberg - approximately 230 kilometres depending on where you want to go and will take in the region of 3 hours.
Durban to Northern Drakensberg - approximately 280 kilometres will take just over 3 and a quarter hours.
Johannesburg to Southern Drakensberg - approximately 550 – 600 kilometres and will take about 7 hours.
Johannesburg to Central Drakensberg will take between 4 and 5 hours and is 400 to 500 kilometres away.
Johannesburg to Northern Drakensberg will take about 4 hours and is approximately 340 kilometres away.
These are fairly direct routes but can take longer.
The Southern and Central Drakensberg is accessed by going towards the west at either Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Mooi River or Estcourt. If you turn off at Harrismith and travel towards the south, you will be closest to the Northern Drakensberg.
Regional or provincial roads will lead you to smaller towns and then off the beaten track tar or gravel roads like twisted prongs of a fork will lead you to various parts of the Drakensberg.
Accommodation where we’ve stayed or visited in the Drakensberg:
We have stayed in numerous places, from hotels to self-catering lodges and camping or caravanning giving a broad spectrum of accommodation in the Drakensberg. We have also stayed at the foothills of the mountains as well as at a distance where we could see the mountains.
Each place is unique, some with jaw dropping vistas of or towards the mountain. When you look at them from a distance you often see their full beauty and magnificence. Granted, when you climb them, you see the finer detail or the huge scale of them.
Please note this is not a review of the places we’ve stayed but just some options to choose from. There are many other accommodating places.
Cathedral Peak Hotel and Conference Centre
This hotel is steeped in family history when its doors first opened in 1939 and is set in a tranquil valley in the northern parts of the Central Drakensberg. My first visit to the Drakensberg was to this hotel in 1978. Much of it has changed, but the view towards Cathedral Ridge has remained the same.
This quirky getaway has only two self-catering off the grid log cabins on the property. Although you cannot see the Drakensberg mountain from the cottages it has magnificent views over some trout dams and a ridge which borders KwaZulu Natal and the Free State. There are many walks which will take you to viewpoints where you can see the Northern Drakensberg. Some of the walks take you to well-preserved rock paintings done by San people.
Situated in a peaceful setting, this retreat is on a high ridge overlooking an enormous part of the Northern Drakensberg. Its secluded setting offers a relaxed sanctuary but if you feel energetic, there are a few walks to negotiate.
This resort in the Southern Drakensberg is a short distance away from the towns Himeville and Underberg at the base of the Sani Pass which takes you to Lesotho. A high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2 876 metres above the sea level, it is the only road over the Drakensberg mountains.
Situated in the Cathkin Valley of the Central Drakensberg of South Africa, this family run hotel provides a spectacular view of the mountains. Also steeped in history, it opened its doors in 1933.
The hotel boasts a fantastic view of the Northern Drakensberg with various options of acccommodation.
This resort has a front row seat of the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg and has camping or caravanning facilities as well as chalets.
Mahai Campisite – Royal Natal National Park
Situated in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg Mahai is a campsite for caravans and tents in the Royal Natal National Park. Chalets are available at Thendele Camp about 6 kilometres further.
Injisuthi is in the foothills of the Central Drakensberg with chalets, a cabin, rustic safari tent and a campsite.
What is the weather like in the Drakensberg
The Drakensberg can experience sweltering temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in summer but equally drop drastically to below 0 degrees Celsius in winter. The weather can change unexpectedly and therefore if visiting, be prepared for heat or cold.
The Drakensberg experiences summer rainfall, from October to March. Afternoon thunderstorms, sleet and hail are often experienced.
In the summer months of November till February it is preferable to begin your hike before 6 a.m because of high temperatures and sometimes high humidity. September to April can experience several days of rain and mist which blankets the summits and apart from being unpleasant, it is not advisable to hike.
During September and October, which is spring, it can be quite wet.
Although the winter months of May till September August can bring cold fronts accompanied with blizzards that can last up to 3 days, heavy snowfalls or rain with sub-zero temperatures, there are often periods suitable for walking.
What we’ve done in or near the Drakensberg
Adventurous activities and things to do or experience
Hiking: Many people only come to the Drakensberg for their hikes. You will not be disappointed by the trails meandering through the mountains. They range from gentle half day strolls to lengthy multiple day trips with various degrees of difficulty involving challenging climbs and sometimes even chain ladders. If you are a technical mountaineer with relevant experience and equipment, you won’t be disappointed.
Helicopter flights: Mountains are not always meant to be climbed. I might not have conquered the highest peak by undertaking a long arduous hike, but I’ve soared in a helicopter to the heights of the Great Escarpment. Trust me, that is a far easier way to see some of those magnificent views.
Drive an off-road 4x4 pass: If neither of the above appeal to you, you can embark on another adventure and conquer South Africa’s infamous Sani Pass. Between South Africa and its small landlocked neighbour, Lesotho, the Sani Pass is a scenic mountain pass. The pass lies between the town of Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Mokhotlong, Lesotho,
Enjoy a safe Zipline Eco-Adventure: Zipline through the canopies of an indigenous forest in the Central Drakensberg, just below the towering Cathkin Peak.
See magnificent birds of prey up close. Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre provides a spectacular show by large birds rehabilitated from injury in the Champagne Valley. After an informative talk, watch their avian acrobatics, as they swoop and soar through the skies.
Himeville Fort and Museum. A historical fort and museum built in 1899 that exhibits from the Anglo Boer War and the two World Wars. The displays also show the life of early settlers, fossils, Stone Age artefacts, a display about the Bushmen and African beadwork.
Enjoy teas, lunches and pizzas at various establishments. Some places worth exploring: The Olde Duck Coffee Shop for tea and scones; lunch or tea at Valley Bakery; pizza at Tower of Pizza.
Visit two Voortrekker monuments: Venture away from the Drakensberg to see the Kaalvoet Vrou monument as well as Retief’s Klip (Retief’s Stone).
Relax: If all this sounds too exhausting, there’s always the option of relaxing while gazing at the fabulous view of the Drakensberg mountains, no matter which area you are in.
Needless to say, these are just a few of the numerous adventurous activities to do. There are many more to experience in the Drakensberg.
There is no doubt that a visit to the Drakensberg is a humbling experience. Whether you are searching for the peace and tranquillity of nature or an adrenalin filled adventure, you’ll find it in or around uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park .
Click on image to pin for later
Read more about our Drakensberg adventures here.
How to choose an ultimate Drakensberg retreat
Self-drive off-road 4x4 thrills on the Sani Pass
How to soar in a helicopter and explore the Drakensberg
Heritage sites of the Voortrekkers – hidden and forgotten
Parking off to escape at Hlalanathi Drakensberg Resort
Escape to the foothills of the Maloti Drakensberg Park at Mahai
Alternatively click on the summary of blogs below.
About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Where to go? What to do? Where to stay? My personal experience and guide to the Drakensberg will give you some insight.