Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg mountains is an awe-inspiring mountain escarpment in KwaZulu Natal. It offers superb mountain walking, ancient Bushmen rock paintings and charming craft studios.

Overview

The Drakensberg mountains, or ‘The berg’, as South Africans call it, is a spectacular region to visit in KwaZulu Natal. It offers superb mountain walking, ancient Bushmen rock paintings and charming craft studios. It was South Africa’s second World Heritage Site.

The main pleasure of the Drakensberg mountains is the glorious walking on offer, but there are other delights. The Drakensberg offer some superb examples of ancient Bushmen rock paintings at Giants Castle and Kamberg nature reserves. You can visit many arts and craft studios in the Central Drakensberg, such as the famous Ardmore studios. There are also weekly musical recitals by the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir – if you time your visit right!

In the Southern Drakensberg, you can take the guided 4×4 ascent to the top of Sani Pass to Africa’s highest pub in the rugged Kingdom of Lesotho. (Note that you will need to stay in the Southern Drakensberg for the preceding night).

At the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains lies the Natal Midlands. This offers a gentler sort of beauty with rolling hills and picturesque river valleys as well as the well-known Midlands Meander arts and craft route. From here you could visit some of the central Drakensberg sites for the day such as Giants Castle, enjoy the treetop canopy tour at Karkloof or visit the very moving Mandela capture site and museum.

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Features

Why you may love it

The Drakensberg mountains are perfect for families & keen walkers alike.
Stunning mountain hiking with daily guided walks from many mountain resort hotels.
Walks to superb Bushmen rock art sites at Giants Castle & Kamberg.
Didima Rock Art Centre near Cathedral Peak Hotel.
Ardmore Pottery Studio.
Treetop canopy tours.

Explore the Drakensberg Mountains map

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Drakensberg Walking Tour

The Drakensberg walking tour encompasses some of the best walking in KwaZulu Natal. Our tour offers a diversity of walks – from forest walks, to dramatic river gorges and mountain hikes.

WHEN Jan - Dec

DURATION 5 Nights

FROM $ 1,346

South Africa on Foot

This South Africa on Foot walking tour encompasses some of the best walking areas in South Africa, namely Cape Town, Hermanus, the Garden Route and ending with the magnificent Drakensberg...

WHEN Sept - Apr

DURATION 14 Nights

FROM $ 4,612

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RATING Luxury

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Spectacular

"The Drakensberg mountains were spectacular. We most enjoyed Victoria Falls that literally took your breath away. The river boat cruises at Livingstone were well worth it. Also getting so close to the animals at Umlani in the Timbavati, even the lions and leopards." Mr Martin Butler, UK

Experiences in Drakensberg Mountains

Walking in the Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountains offer superb mountain scenery, lush green in summer with spectacular waterfalls, woodland and crystal clear streams. There’s a full range of walking trails from easy...

Midlands Meander & Mandela's Capture Site

The Midlands Meander is an informal route through picturesque scenery. Pick up the Midlands Meander map which shows various art galleries and unusual craft studios selling beautifully hand-crafted...

Drakensberg Canopy Tour

The Drakensberg Canopy Tour takes place in the high montane forest of the central Drakensberg close to the Drakensberg Sun Hotel and the Monks Cowl Nature Reserve. Experience the natural beauty of...

Viewing San (Bushmen) Rock Art

As well as walking, the other main attraction of both the Drakensberg and the Cederberg Mountains is the extensive collection of San rock art still to be viewed in some of the mountain caves....

Sani Pass 4x4 Trip

If you have time, we recommend the Sani Pass 4x4 trip up into the Kingdom of Lesotho. But not if you are afraid of heights or of a nervous disposition! Sadly this excursion will be disappearing...

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Did you know

NameDragon Mountain in English
Size200km long, with the tallest peak at 3,500m

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