The Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg is located in South Africa and forming a border with Lesotho, this mountain destination provides the traveller with game viewing, bird watching and hiking activties.
Settlers gave this beautiful range of mountains its name because legend has it dragons were seen flying over its cloudy peaks.
The Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa stretch over a distance of approximately 1000km with a 200km section in the Drakensberg National Park that has gained status as a World Heritage Site. This is in recognition of the outstanding, wild natural beauty, landscapes and abundant wildlife in this mountain paradise.
The names of its passes and peaks will entice you with passes named “Organ Pipes” and peaks named “Devil’s Tooth”, “Sentinel”, “Inner Tower” and “3 Witches”, aptly named when one considers their treachery and the unpredictable weather conditions which can turn from balmy sunshine to freezing hail or snow in a matter of hours. Snow is not uncommon even in mid-summer. The well-known and much-photographed “Amphitheatre”, which is situated in the Royal Natal National Park boasts 1000m sheer basalt cliffs and includes the Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall on earth at 947m. The Central Drakensberg offers the best examples of Bushman rock paintings and has a vast number of hiking trails.
Village in the Drakensburg
There are plenty of outdoor activities with something for everyone in this part of the world. some of these activities include Horse riding, fly fishing, golf, quad biking, rock climbing, helicopter and micro light flights.
In addition, arts and crafts stalls, wrought iron crafts, candle making factories, glass making factories, farm stalls, carpet weaving stores all make shopping for something different a pleasure. Local South Africans view the Drakensberg as a refuge from the stress and pollution of city life and many of them come simply to choose a quiet secluded spot, a good book and plenty of time to unwind.
Another attraction is the world famous Drakensberg Boys Choir which is worth visiting since they present recitals during their school term. The Choir represents the different races and cultures in South Africa and its choral music is a showcase of that diversity, which ranges from conventional singing to a unique African repertoire.
Credit: Taken with permission from an article by Fleur Hupston (suite 101)