This beautiful area of KwaZulu Natal has been a favourite holiday destination for South Africans for years. International travellers have begun to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the landscape, the artistic legacy of the San, and all the Drakensberg has to offer by way of active or self-drive holidays.
The Drakensberg
The mountains themselves are quite astonishing, soaring to altitudes in excess of 3000 metres. Encountering the Drakensberg on their migration south seven centuries ago, the Zulu people called them ‘uKhahlamba’, which means ‘barrier of spears’. There are some spectacular features: the amphitheatre in the Royal Natal National Park, Giant’s Castle, Champagne Castle and Cathedral Peak are the best-known.
Soaring raptors, waterfalls, rivers and lakes which teem with fish, animals such as eland and otters, hiking trails, horse-riding, and a host of adventure sports from climbing to mountain-biking, make this an outstanding holiday destination.
In 2000, the whole region, renamed the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition both of its outstanding environmental importance and beauty, and its cultural legacy in the form of 35,000 San rock art images, which embellish more than 500 caves.
The central and northern Drakensberg is the area with the best-known escarpments and peaks, which constitute the classic Drakensberg scenery. In this area, you will also find many important San masterpieces.
The southern Drakensberg is prime fly-fishing country. Make for the villages of Underberg and Himeville, where lush farmland covers the lower mountain slopes.
Lesotho & Sani Pass
From Himeville, the legendary Sani Pass cuts through the mountain up into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. This pass, rising to 2873 metres, is the only road link between KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho and makes a thrilling full-day excursion.
Moving north, gently rolling farmland gives way to a more rugged landscape. The central and northern Drakensberg is the area with the best-known escarpments and peaks, which constitute the classic Drakensberg scenery. In this area, you will also find many important San masterpieces.
Cathedral Peak Hotel
Cathedral Peak Hotel is an established resort hotel beautifully set in a quiet valley among the rugged peaks of the Central Drakensberg.Since it first opened in 1939, the owner’s family has provided warm hospitality and exceptional service, and the hotel has won numerous awards, including the 2006 ‘Best Leisure Hotel’ award. With its exceptional mountain scenery, abundant birdlif...
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a mecca for food lovers in the Drakensberg.It's an intimate, luxury gourmet retreat beside a dam in the beautiful Kamberg Valley, just two hours from Durban in the Highmoor section of Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve. Richard and Mouse Poynton, the owners of this welcoming lodge, are renowned chefs. The menu changes every evening, and according to season and ...
Fordoun Spa Hotel
Fordoun Spa Hotel is a boutique hotel and world-class spa located at Nottingham Road in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands Meander. The hotel's spa offers an extensive choice of treatments, but the unique aspect of a stay here is the well-known ethnobotanist and spiritual guide or sangoma, Dr Elliot Ndlovu, who offers consultations using traditional African herbs and plants, as well as a...
Hartford House
Hartford House is one of South Africa’s most beautiful houses.It was home to the family of the last prime minister of Natal and is situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of Summerhill, the country’s leading racehorse stud farm, and just two hours’ drive from Durban, in the foothills of the Drakensberg. There are 14 spacious, luxurious suites, furnished in a skilful blend o...
Karkloof Spa
Located just outside Pietermaritzberg and about 2 hours from Durban, Karkloof Spa is a luxuriously spacious boutique lodge, with 16 individually decorated villas, making it Africa’s largest destination spa.Its 3500 hectares of beautiful terrain are abundant with wildlife. Days are filled with early morning game drives, followed by a light breakfast and indulgent spa treatments. The spa&rsquo...
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Set in the heart of a 1000 hectare estate in the beautiful Northern Drakensberg region of South Africa, Montusi Mountain Lodge is a place to relax, escape the hustle and bustle of city life and interact with nature, as the natural wild environment surrounds you in all directions.The Carte family, who have been running Montusi since 2000, are passionate about conservation, making efforts to plant i...
KwaZulu Natal - Self Drive
Itinerary Highlights
- Discover the immense Drakensburg
- search for big five in Hluhluwe
- Visit historic battlefields
- relax in luxury at Oysterbox hotel
South Africa road trip around KwaZulu Natal
Itinerary Highlights
- Mountain hikes in the Drakensberg
- Learn about the battlefields
- Boat Safaris and game drives in Mkuze
- Relaxation in Durban
Qambathi Mountain Lodge
This boutique lodge is situated in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains with five meticulously designed, well thoughtout rooms which have underfloor heating and separate bath and showers. The main building is a converted Natal farmhouse with traditional corrugated iron roof, stone walling, Oregon pine floors and low wooden ceilings. Each has a patio area and plunge pool. This is an excellent base fo...
KwaZulu Natal Meander - Culture, Wildlife & Beach - Self Drive
Itinerary Highlights
- Hike and explore the magical Drakensburg
- Delve in the history of the Battlefields
- Cruise on the Pongola River
- Search for big game in Hluhluwe Game Reserve
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