The Drakensberg Mountains

About the Drakensberg Mountains

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Amphitheatre, Drakensberg MountainsThe Drakensberg mountains of South Africa or uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears) is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. The largest proportion of the Drakensberg area falls in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Zulu people named it 'Ukhahlamba' and the Dutch Voortrekkers 'The Dragon Mountain'. The Drakensberg Mountains, with their awe-inspiring basalt cliffs, snowcapped in winter, tower over riverine bush, lush yellowwood forests and cascading waterfalls, form a massive barrier separating KwaZulu-Natal from the Kingdom of Lesotho. The only road access to the Drakensberg is via Sani Pass, which at the top, boasts the highest pub on Africa, 3 000 metres above sea level.

Combining sheer natural beauty with a wealth of biological diversity, this 243 000 hectare mountainous region known the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park has been preserved and venerated for eons since the San people or bushmen roamed these slopes. Tens of thousands of paintings depicting their daily life can be found on the rock faces, and in December 2000, the park received international recognition and was declared KwaZulu-Natal's second World Heritage Site.


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1 Day Drakensberg Mountains and Sani Pass Guided Tour

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Sani Pass Arial View, Southern Drakensberg Mountains
Drive inland past Pietermaritzburg and the Howick Falls to the area of gently pastoral beauty called the Natal Midlands. We pass through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands where plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. Then further through Underberg, a picturesque little village situated in the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Now we set off to Sani Pass, named after the primitive people who lived in the area millennia ago, for a four-wheel drive with hair-raising bends and breathtaking views to the top of the mountain. Lunch is served at the top in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho some 3 000 m above sea level. We return early afternoon, change vehicles and set off to Durban.

The Drakensberg Sani Pass Day Tour. Click here to go to this tour map


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2 Day Drakensberg Mountains and Sani Pass Guided Tour

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TOUR NAME: Drakensberg Highlights (CODE:SCDB)

Sani Pass, Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg is the country's grandest mountain range and at its highest where it forms the border between KwaZuluNatal and Lesotho. The name literally means 'Dragon' and it is derived from the breathtaking high jagged basalt cliffs bearing a similarity to the back of a dragon. The Zulu people call it the 'Ukhahlamba', (Barrier of Spears). On our two day tour we explore this part of the mountain and drive up the Sani Pass, the highest and most challenging mountain pass in the country, with four wheel drive vehicles.

This tour is also available in a one day excursion starting at around 06:00 in the morning and returning at 20:00 in the evening.  The code for this tour is SCDA.


The Drakensberg Sani Pass 2 Day Tour. Click here to go to this tour map

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3 Day Central and Northern Drakensberg Mountains Guided Tour

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TOUR NAME: 3 Day Drakensberg Mountains Adventure Guided Tour (CODE: SCDD)

Tugela Water Falls, Drakensberg

This three day tour visits the central and northern sections of the mountains and also designed for the person who wants the opportunity to explore on foot. We visit a cave with some of the best preserved ancient rock art in the country. We take leisurely walks around the Sentinel area and enjoy breathtaking views into the Amphitheatre. For those very energetic souls, a stiff walk and 100 metre chain ladder leads to the top of the mountain where you can watch the kilometre long Tugela Falls plummeting over basalt cliffs. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is a World Heritage Site. A brief visit to the Weenen Game Reserve caters for the wildlife enthusiasts.

The Northern Drakensberg 3 Day Tour. Click here to go to this tour map

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