Drakensberg, South Africa: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Drakensberg, 'dragon mountain' in Afrikaans, is the largest mountain range in South Africa and forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the kingdom of Lesotho. On the South African side, the escarpment rises abruptly from green fields to basalt cliffs exceeding 3,000 metres. The Zulu name for the range is uKhahlamba, the barrier of spears. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, about 240,000 hectares, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for its landscape and rock art.

In the caves and rock shelters of the range there are thousands of paintings left by the San people, hunter-gatherers who lived in the region for millennia. Depictions of elands, hunters and ritual scenes are considered one of the largest collections of rock art in sub-Saharan Africa, and some can be seen with guides in Kamberg, at Didima and on the Royal Natal trails.

For visitors the range is divided into three parts. In the north, Royal Natal National Park contains the Amphitheatre, a roughly 5 km-wide cliff face from which Tugela Falls plunges. In the centre, near Winterton, are the Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle summits. In the south, Underberg is the base for the Sani Pass, the dirt road that climbs the escarpment to the Lesotho border.

It is a nature and hiking destination, with trails from one hour to several days, trout rivers, horseback riding and accommodation in chalets and farms. The most popular outings are guided, and long hikes require registration in the park’s mountain book.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Winterton, Bergville, Underberg.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Drakensberg is

Limites: South African Municipal Demarcation Board / OCHA ROSEA / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Drakensberg

✈ Aeroporto Internacional King Shaka (DUR), in La Mercy · 230 km to Winterton

✈ Aeroporto Internacional O. R. Tambo (JNB), in Joanesburgo · 350 km to Winterton

Check before booking. International flights arrive in Johannesburg (JNB), and there are domestic flights to Durban (DUR). Winterton is about 230 km from Durban airport and about 350 km from Johannesburg via the N3. There is no scheduled flight to the range.

Suggested arrival point: Winterton

KwaZulu-Natal · Drakensberg Suggested arrival point

Winterton

Winterton is an agricultural village on the banks of the Tugela River, the gateway to the central Drakensberg. Roads from there lead to the Champagne Valley at the foot of Champagne Castle and the Monk's Cowl area, and to Cathedral Peak, where the Didima camp hosts a San rock art centre. About 25 km to the north lies Spioenkop hill, the scene of a battle in the Anglo-Boer War in 1900.

KwaZulu-Natal · Drakensberg

Bergville

Bergville é uma pequena cidade agrícola às margens do rio Tugela, a porta de entrada do Drakensberg norte. A cerca de 45 km fica o Parque Nacional Royal Natal, com o Anfiteatro, um paredão de cerca de 5 km de largura, e a cachoeira Tugela, que despenca dele em várias quedas. Do outro lado da escarpa, no Estado Livre, a trilha do Sentinel sobe às escadas de corrente até o alto do Anfiteatro.

KwaZulu-Natal · Drakensberg

Underberg

Underberg é uma vila de fazendas no sul do Drakensberg, ao lado da vizinha Himeville, e a base para o Sani Pass, a estrada de terra que sobe a escarpa até a fronteira do Lesoto, a cerca de 2.876 metros. A região tem rios de truta, cavalgadas e trilhas, e a cerca de uma hora ao norte fica Kamberg, com o centro de arte rupestre e o abrigo de Game Pass, uma das pinturas dos san mais conhecidas do país.

The local experience

Things to do in Drakensberg

Winterton · KwaZulu-Natal · Natural area

Cathedral Peak e Didima

Central Drakensberg area with the Cathedral peak, about 3,000 metres, valley trails and the San rock art centre at the Didima camp.

Bergville · KwaZulu-Natal · National park

Royal Natal e o Anfiteatro

Parque do Drakensberg norte com o Anfiteatro, um paredão de cerca de 5 km de largura, e a cachoeira Tugela, que cai cerca de 948 metros em várias quedas.

Underberg · KwaZulu-Natal · Scenic road

Sani Pass

Estrada de terra em zigue-zague que sobe a escarpa do Drakensberg até a fronteira do Lesoto, a cerca de 2.876 metros, só para veículos 4x4.

Underberg · KwaZulu-Natal · Arte rupestre

Kamberg e o abrigo de Game Pass

Centro de arte rupestre e reserva no Drakensberg sul, de onde sai a caminhada guiada ao abrigo de Game Pass, com pinturas dos san de elandes e figuras humanas.

See 3 more places in Drakensberg

Winterton · KwaZulu-Natal · Natural area

Monk's Cowl e vale de Champagne

Valley at the foot of Champagne Castle, one of the highest peaks of the range, with trails to waterfalls and natural pools from the Monk's Cowl camp.

Bergville · KwaZulu-Natal · Trail

Trilha do Sentinel e escadas de corrente

Trilha de dia inteiro que sai do estacionamento do Sentinel, a cerca de 2.500 metros, e sobe por escadas de corrente até o alto do Anfiteatro e da cachoeira Tugela.

Winterton · KwaZulu-Natal · Historic site

Campo de batalha de Spioenkop

Hill where, in 1900, a decisive battle of the Anglo-Boer War took place, with memorials, graves and views over the Drakensberg.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Autumn, from March to May, and spring, from September to November, usually have stable weather for hiking. Winter is dry and sunny, with cold nights and snow on the upper escarpment, which can close the Sani Pass. Summer is green and hot, with strong afternoon storms: hike in the morning.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days cover one of the regions, with two full-day hikes. With five days you can combine the centre or north with the Sani Pass in the south, about a 3-hour drive. Those wanting to do multi-day crossings of the range need a week.

Which city to stay in

In the central region, Winterton and the Champagne Valley concentrate hotels, chalets and the park camps at Cathedral Peak and Monk's Cowl. In the north, Bergville and the Thendele chalets inside Royal Natal are close to the Amphitheatre. In the south, Underberg and Himeville have guesthouses and farms near the Sani Pass.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Drakensberg

What to see in the Drakensberg?

The Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls in Royal Natal; the Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle summits; San rock paintings; and the Sani Pass.

Is the Drakensberg a World Heritage Site?

Yes. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for its landscape and the San rock art.

When to go to the Drakensberg?

Autumn and spring usually have stable hiking weather. In summer there are afternoon storms, and in winter it can snow on the peaks.

How many days to stay in the Drakensberg?

Three days for one region; five to combine the centre or north with the Sani Pass.

Do you need a car in the Drakensberg?

Yes. The regions are far apart and there is no public transport. For the Sani Pass only a 4x4 vehicle or a guided tour is possible. Drive on the left.

Drakensberg

A region to enjoyat your own pace.