Drakensberg (uKhahlamba)★★★
The Drakensberg Mountains (Afrikaans: Drakensberg = "Dragon Mountains," Zulu: uKhahlamba = "Barrier of Spears") are South Africa's mightiest mountain range and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 — both for their natural beauty and for the over 35,000 San rock paintings, which are among the oldest artworks of humanity.
The Three Zones
- Northern Drakensberg: The Royal Natal National Park with the Amphitheatre — a 5 km wide, 500 m high rock wall, one of the most spectacular natural formations on earth. Here, the Tugela Falls plunge 948 m — the second-highest waterfall in the world after Angel Falls in Venezuela.
- Central Drakensberg: Giant's Castle Game Reserve with excellent San rock paintings and the Lammergeier Hide — a hide from which you can observe the extremely rare bearded vulture.
- Southern Drakensberg: Sani Pass — the legendary pass road (4x4 only!) to Lesotho. At the top: the Sani Mountain Lodge, the highest pub in Africa (2,874 m). A beer with a view over the cliff — priceless.
Hiking
| Hike | Duration | Difficulty | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tugela Falls (Royal Natal) | 6–8h (return) | Medium | To the base of the second-highest waterfall in the world |
| Amphitheatre Chain Ladder | 8–10h | Hard | Up chain ladders to the plateau. Breathtaking! |
| Cathedral Peak | 8–10h | Hard | One of the most beautiful peaks (3,004 m) |
| Kamberg Rock Art Trail | 2–3h | Easy | Game Pass Shelter with famous San paintings |
| Giants Cup Trail | 5 days | Medium | 60 km multi-day hike, hut trekking |
💡 Tipp
The Drakensberg Mountains are cold and clear in winter (May–August) — perfect for hiking. In summer (November–February), there are heavy afternoon thunderstorms, but it is greener and warmer. Best compromise time: March/April.
