The Drakensberg are the largest mountain range in South Africa. Translated, their name means "Dragon Mountains" and the Zulu name, uKhahlamba, means "Barrier of Spears". Stretching for over 600 miles and rising to a height of 3,482m at its highest point in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Drakensberg were declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Historically, they were home to the San and Koi people and there are plenty of examples of San Rock art to be found at various places throughout the mountain range with over 20,000 pieces of art being recorded at 500 different sites thought to date back as far as 2,400 years ago.
As one of the jewels in the crown of KwaZulu Natal tourism, the Drakensberg have plenty to offer the visitor. Remote mountain retreats like Cathedral Peak and Cleopatras Mountain Farm House are wonderful places to spend a few days experiencing what this area has to offer. Cleopatras Mountain Farm House is also renowned as offering superb gourmet dining.
As you would expect, a full range of mountain activities are available include walking, hiking, white water rafting, fly fishing and abseiling. It is also possible to take to the air in a helicopter to get a different perspective of the magnificent Drakensberg.
The mountain range is also rich in wildlife with birdlife including the endangered Cape Vulture. Herds of grazing animals and antelopes can also be found as well as chameleons, frogs and other reptiles. Areas such as Giants Castle and Mont-Aux-Sources are two of the most famous peaks in the Drakensberg mountains which are also riddled with waterfalls, streams, caves and the crisp South African mountain air.
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