ACCOMMODATION SOUTH AFRICA DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
The Drakensberg mountains are the highest in Southern Africa, rising up at Thabana Ntlenyana to 3482 m in height. In Zulu, they are referred to as uKhahlamba ("barrier of spears"), and in Sesotho as Maluti (also spelled Maloti ). Due to their Geological formation they are exceptionally distinctive, and almost unique amongst mountain ranges the world over. Only the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia resemble the Drakensberg strongly.
The Drankensberg Mountains are located in the eastern part of South Africa, running for some 1000 km generally southwest to northeast, with a northwesterly bend forming the northeastern border of Lesotho with South Africa. The Drakensberge are drained on the west by the Orange and Vaal rivers and on the east and south by a number of smaller rivers, the Tugela being the largest. The Drakensberg range separates the KwaZulu-Natal Province from the Free State Province, looming over the nearby coast of Natal.
The highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana at 3482 m. Other notable peaks include Mafadi at 3450 m, Makoaneng at 3416 m, Njesuthi at 3408 m, Champagne Castle at 3377 m, Giant's Castle at 3315 m, and Ben Macdhui at 3001 m. All of these are in the area bordering on Lesotho. North of Lesotho the range gradually becomes lower and less rugged until entering Mpumalanga where the quartzite mountains of the Transvaal Drakensberg are more broken. The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is technically within the Northern reaches of the Drakensberg, though its geology appears exceptionally different due to the lack of a Basalt cap which the High Drakensberg has.
Geologically, the Drakensberg is a remnant of the original African plateau. The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt up to 1500 m thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles. The sandstone layer was deposited as the remnants of a gigantic lake that occupied much of what is now Southern Africa. Subsequently, water and wind erosion (principally from the east, facing the Indian Ocean) has cut into the enormous plateau, producing an extraordinary and almost unique landcape. The Drakensberg is one of only two mountain ranges (along with the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia) to have been formed in this geological way, which accounts for its extraordinarily distinctive formations and colours. The landscape is dominated by extremely steep cliffs, some of them amongst the most impressive cliff faces on earth, incised buttresses and soaring ramparts.
Caves are frequent in the more easily eroded sandstone, and many have rock paintings by the Bushmen. The Drakensberg has, collectively, at least 40 000 works of bushman art and as such is the largest collection of such work in the world.
Snow falls regularly in the winter, while rains and mists can occur year-round. In Summer the valleys of the mountains often see temperatures in the mid to high 30 degrees celsius, whilst in winters temperatures on top of the mountains may plunge to below -20 Celsius. Snow is known even in Summer, and Cathedral Peak Hotel, one of the most popular resorts in the Drakensberg, has known a white Christmas.
In the southern Drakensberg there is a ski resort called Tiffindell which is open from late May to Early September. Tiffindell may receive as much as 2.5 metres of snow during good skiing years.
Many of the Drakensberg peaks offer challenging mountaineering. While the major summits have all been conquered, a number of minor pinnacles have yet to be ascended. Hiking is also a popular activity. Navigation on long hikes is often aided by GPS receivers and current maps distributed by KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) Wildlife uses the Cape datum as the geodesic reference. GPS users should be careful to use the correct datum as WGS 84 is not always the default.
Tourism in the Drakensberg is developing, with a variety of hotels and resorts appearing on the slopes. Most of the higher South African parts of the range have been designated as game reserves or wilderness areas. The uKhahlamba or Drakensberg National Park, located in KwaZulu-Natal, near the border with Lesotho, was listed by UNESCO in 2000 as a World Heritage site. The park is also in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (under the Ramsar Convention).
The most well known national park in the Drakensberg is the Royal Natal National Park where the Amphitheatre can be seen. It contains the source of the Tugela River and includes the 947 m high Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall on earth. But it is the Central Drakensberg that offers tourists the best access to bushman rock art Kamberg and the largest range of hiking trails.
South Africa | South African Accomodation | South Africa Tourism | South African Destinations | South African Travel | South African Holiday | South African Travel Information | South African Hotels
South Africa | South African Accomodation | South Africa Tourism | South African Destinations | South African Travel | South African Holiday | South African Travel Information | South African Hotels
DRAKENSBERG ACCOMMODATION
_______________________
ACCOMMODATION IN THE NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Find Comfortable, Affordable, Rustic Accommodation in the Northern Drakenberg. Experience a mountain atmosphere with breathtaking views of the Drakensberg.
_______________________________
ACCOMMODATION IN THE CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
Find the perfect Guesthouse or B&B Accommodation in the Central Drakenberg. Watch the sun rise and set over Giants Castle in the Drakensberg .
_______________________________
ACCOMMODATION IN THE SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Find Comfortable three star, fully equipped, serviced cottages & Log chalet. Selfcatering accommodation or B&B in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains. Enjoy an idyllic and relaxing getaway in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
______________________________
_______________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
MAIN MENU:
_____________
PROVINCES:
______________
_______________
BEST EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH AFRICA:
______________
Namaqualand
_______________
LINKS:
_____________
____________________
LINK PARTNERS:
_______________
Best prices on accommodation in South Africa
choose from over 5600 establishments
BOOK FLIGHTS
AND CARS:
_______________
