The Drakensberg-KwaZulu Natal
The magnificent range of mountains forming a natural boarder between the KwaZulu-Natal Province and the Free State Province, were given their European name, Drakensberge (Dragon’s mountain ) by the Voortrekkers or early pioneers who crossed them with their ox wagons to reach the coastal regions of Natal. What an incredible accomplishment this was you will see when driving through them, keeping in mind that the Drakensberg are the highest mountains in Southern Africa. The Zulu people call this range uKhahlamba which means barrier of spears.
The earliest inhabitants of the Drakensberg that we know of are the San people or bushmen, leaving evidence of their life in the hundreds of paintings found on the rocks in caves and under shelters, which can be viewed by visitors and which are up to 2400 years old. They are one of the reasons that the Drakensberg got the status of a world heritage site.
The Drakensberg offer hiking trails to the visitors that wish to enjoy a leisurely walk through nature as well as the facilities for the adventurers that wish to go rock climbing at Cathkin Peak or rafting to name but two of the options.
Sites definitely worth visiting to enjoy the great flora and fauna as well as the sight are the Tugela Falls which is the second highest waterfall in the world with its 948 m at Mount-aux-Source, the Ndedema-gorge with the Sebayeni Cave and its rock paintings, Cathedral Peak and Giants Castle. The tourist routes are recognised by the brown signs with the bearded vulture on them.
