Drakensberg Mountains

Drakensberg mountains - Amphitheatre The Drakensberg Mountains, or simply “the Berg” as South Africans fondly call them, form one of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. This rugged mountain escarpment in KwaZulu Natal offers world-class walking, striking views, and ancient Bushmen rock paintings.

So the Drakensberg hotels naturally focus on the glorious walking on offer.

But there are other delights. The Drakensberg offer some superb examples of ancient Bushmen rock art at Giants Castle and Kamberg nature reserves. Some hotels offer horse-riding excursions. En route you can visit some of the many arts and craft studios in the Natal Midlands area – see later. Plus there’s also weekly musical recitals by the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir – if you time your visit right.

Where to Stay in the Drakensberg

Many of the original Drakensberg hotels are very family-friendly with a range of activities on offer to suit adventurous families. These tend to be larger and more resort-like. But as they were the first hotels, they have THE prime locations with some of the Drakensberg’s finest walks beginning from these hotels.

However there are smaller Drakensberg hotels & lodges which are orientated more towards couples such as Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse.

Sani Pass Pass & Southern Drakensberg

In the Southern Drakensberg, adventurers can take a guided 4x4 trip up Sani Pass, crossing into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Enjoy a drink in Africa’s highest pub. Or stay one or two nights to watch the sun rise across this wild terrain, and enjoy some walking in this mountainous kingdom.

Note - You'll need to stay in the Southern Drakensberg for the preceding night, as it's way too far to drive from the central or northern Drakensberg hotels which feature here.

Natal Midlands

At the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains lies the Natal Midlands. This offers a gentler sort of beauty with rolling hills, tree-lined rivers, and the thriving Midlands Meander Routes filled with arts & craft studios and farm-to-table eateries.

From here you could visit some of the central Drakensberg sites for the day - to see the rock art at Giants Castle for example, enjoy the treetop canopy tour at Karkloof, or visit the moving Mandela Capture Site and museum with its mesmerising scupture.

Whether you’re a keen hiker, a history lover, or simply seeking fresh air and open space, the Drakensberg delivers in spades.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the best time to visit the Drakensberg?
The Drakensberg can be visited year-round. Summer (October–March) brings lush green landscapes and afternoon thunderstorms – but paths get over-grown. Whilst winter (May–August) offers crisp, clear hiking days and dramatic snow-dusted peaks.

Are the Drakensberg mountains family-friendly?
A resounding YES! Many of the Drakensberg mountain resorts are extremely family-friendly, offering guided walks, extensive outdoor play areas, horse riding, ziplining, and open space for kids to explore safely.

Do I need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the Drakensberg?
Not at all. The region offers everything from a gentle one hour walk to a babbling stream, to gentle half day walks to challenging summit trails. Many hotels can arrange guided hikes of different lengths.