Drakensberg, South Africa

When planning a trip to South Africa, one part of the country that should not be missed is the majestic Drakensberg mountain range, which stretches for 200 kilometres. A world heritage site, the greater proportion of this magnificent range falls in the province of Kwazulu-Natal, and is known to have the highest peaks in the country. The dramatic beauty of the Drakensberg is a well known tourist destination, with the northern and central regions being the most frequently visited.

On our last trip to the Drakensberg we decided to venture into the northern part of the region, specifically to the Royal Natal National Park. About a five hour drive from Johannesburg, the National Park has excellent walking and hiking trails in amazing surroundings. It also has accommodation facilities, including the Thendele Hutted Camp, which is where we stayed, in a small self-catering cottage. The views surrounding the camp are incredibly beautiful, as it is located at the base of the majestic Amphitheatre, a famous and distinctive feature of the mountain range that forms a soaring natural amphitheatre, five kilometres in length.

The Thendele camp is highly recommended. Specifically, we stayed in the upper camp, where the cottages are positioned in such a way that a sense of privacy is maintained. We were impressed with the friendly staff and our clean and comfortable one-bedroom cottage, including all amenities (and some which are useful, but not essential, such as satellite television and a jacuzzi bath). The highlight, however, was the porch or 'stoep' outside the cottage, where one can sit, relax and absorb the breathtaking views of the mountains. There are no restaurants in the Royal Natal National Park, however there are a few located close by, one of our favourites being the Tower of Pizza. The park does have two shops on site where one can buy basic food items and souvenirs. The nearest town to the camp is Bergville, about a half hour drive away. It should be noted that the gates to the Royal Natal National Park close at 7pm each night in the summer, therefore it is advisable to ensure you return to your cottage in time, otherwise you might be locked out!

One of the spectacular peaks that forms the Amphitheatre is known as Mont-Aux-Sources. It is also the source for three major rivers (to which its name refers), including being home to the world's second highest waterfall, the Tugela Falls. It is possible to reach the summit of Mont-Aux-Sources, however this involves climbing a daunting 100-rung chain ladder. There are an abundance of hikes and walks in the area, ranging in levels of difficulty and fitness. During our last visit we didn't attempt any of the strenuous hikes (or scary chain ladders), but rather those of the more moderate variety, including the Tugela Gorge walk.

The Tugela River runs below, and parallel, to the Tugela Gorge walk, which is surrounded by incredible scenery. Alternating between dry, savannah landscapes and cool, beautiful forests, there is an abundance of flora and fauna to be seen, including Protea bushes, South Africa's national flower. Towards the end of the hike, there are rockpools at the base of the steep, jutting rocky walls of the gorge. Eventually, by following the course of the river (and boulder hopping over the river at various sections), it is possible to reach the Tugela Falls. The hike is about 15 kilometers and takes approximately 5 hours in total. Remember to take a hat and water, as there is no natural water source to be found for about the first hour of the hike.

Other hikes and walks that we did include Devil's Hoek Valley and Fairy Glen. If you are interested in viewing San , or Bushmen, rock paintings, then a good route to take is Otto's Walk, which is an easy walk and takes approximately one hour. There is also a large amount of rock art to be viewed in the Central Drakensberg, however we didn't have time to venture into this area during our last visit. If one has the time, it is worth seeing, as it is sometimes viewed as being the most spectacular part of the mountain range. Such areas as Champagne Castle and Giant's Castle are very popular with tourists, and are host to an extensive selection of activities such as walking, hiking, fishing, rock climbing and horse riding.

South Africa is a vast country, with countless places to explore and appreciate, however the Drakensberg mountain range should definitely be one of the priorities when working out a travel itinerary. We tend to travel to South Africa at least once a year to visit family, some of whom live near the Drakensberg, so we are fortunate in having the chance to annually reacquaint ourselves with this beautiful part of the land.