To Visit: Historical & Cultural Attractions, Cannibal Cavern, Northern Drakensberg
Transport: Own Vehicle
Events: Mountain Climbing
Airport: Pietermaritzburg Airport
Description:
The The 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site in KwaZulu Natal is known as the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa or uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears).
Also known by the Zulu people who 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 Southern Drakensberg is via Sani Pass, which at the top, boasts the highest pub on Africa, 3 000 metres above sea level while the other accsess road is off the national N2 road between Durban and Johannesgurg.
The area has a natural beauty with a wealth of biological diversity, this 243 000 hectare mountainous region has been preserved and venerated 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 uKhahlamba-Drakensberg park received international recognition and was declared KwaZulu-Natal's second World Heritage Site.
The drakensberg itself offers visitors to choose to try sheer rock or ice- climbing - or they may prefer the adrenaline rush provided by abseiling, white water rafting or taking a helicopter ride to view the Drakenberg mountains from above.
However for more gentler adventure or leisurely walking the many hiking routes on both lower and upper slopes of the Drakensberg, you can watch out for the 290 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, or the rare varieties of plantlife found in the park.The Drakensberg ... the soul of the Zulu Kingdom.
The KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg area can be divided into Bergville and the Northern Drakensberg; Winterton and the Central Drakensberg; Himeville, Underberg and the Southern Drakensberg and East Griqualand and Umzimkhulu.
Historical & Cultural Attractions
Bergville is a area full of history and culture.
At Bergville there is the blockhouse as build by British forces at the onset of the Anglo-Boer War and has become Monument and Museum.
British soldiers graves killed in the battles of Spioenkop and Bastion Hill at the nearby Rangeworthy Military Cemetery is now in private hands and only accessable by appointment.
Cannibal Cavern, Northern Drakensberg is the place where Shaka's impis raged through Natal in the 1820s and were forced to flee and took refuge in overhangs in the little Berg. Here they had to resort to cannibalism to survive.
Mgoduyanuka A settlement built by the Zizi people who lived there until the 1820s. History indicates that this place was occupied for several decades and there is evidence of four phases of construction. Declared a national monument in September 1995.The settlement is located on the Farm Zuur Lager 1040, at the base of Mgodanyuka Hill overlooking the Thukela river.
Retief's Pass, Drakensberg The voortrekkers party of Piet Retief's braved the Drakensberg during 1837 in their quest for freedom and a land (Natal) of their own. The original trail carved by their ox wagons is known as Retief's pass.The pass was declared a national monument in February 1977.
From Bergville take the R74 and proceed up the Oliviershoek Pass for 42 km follow signs - Retief Klip. Follow the dirt road for 1 km.
Upper Thukela Blockhouse Built by the British during the Anglo-Boer war, this unique structure is now a Moth Shellhole. It is situated in the courthouse grounds and is a national monument.
