Amazing Drakensberg Mountains: Complete Guide

The Drakensberg Mountain Range, which is located in South Africa and Lesotho and rises to a height of 3,482 meters, is the tallest mountain range in southern Africa. The Great Escarpment, which borders Southern Africa’s Central Plateau, is divided in two by the Drakensberg.

The name of the range translates to Dragon’s Mountains in Afrikaans and Barrier Of Spears in Zulu because of its remarkable structure and peculiar formation.

We’ve tried to pen down everything you must know before planning a trip to Drakensberg Mountains. The article also includes some of its well-known hikes and mountains.

1. Drakensberg Mountains

Drakensberg mountains are a wonderfully gorgeous place, the highest mountain range in South Africa. It makes sense that J.R.R. Tolkien would have gotten the idea from this terrain for the region of Middle Earth known as the Misty Mountains.

There are a few notable peaks in the Drakensberg that people like to climb and take pictures of.

These consist of Mont-Aux-Sources, Cathedral Peak, and Giant’s Castle, the epitome of scenic beauty.

Drakensberg region also has a variety of steep slopes, breathtaking waterfalls, attractive rock pools, refreshing mountain streams, and enigmatic caverns in addition to these.

Visitors to South Africa and locals alike will find KwaZulu-Natal to be a truly remarkable place, thanks to the area’s clean mountain air and bright sunshine.

A great variety of protected endemic species of plants and animals may be found in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, along with 35 000 pieces of San rock art.

South Africa has several mountains, but the 200 km long uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment in KwaZulu-Natal is by far the most magnificent.

The Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area, which spans the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa, is supported by the Berg, as the locals prefer to refer to it, which has peaks higher than 3000 meters.

In the Drakensberg mountains, many ancient sand rock art has been discovered. Parks and game reserves are numerous.

Ukhahlamba Park in the Drakensberg range was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Although South Africa has many mountains, The uKhahlamba (Zulu for “barrier of spears“) is an evolving dreamland of river valleys, mountain streams, craggy cliffs, hiking trails, and breathtaking landscapes that draws thousands of tourists every year, mostly from December to February when it gets hotter.

Given its astounding natural beauty, it is not astonishing that the mountainous area is bursting to the seams with thrilling adventure opportunities and luxurious lodging.

A winter wonderland is created on specified slopes when the mountains are covered in snow!

2. Drakensberg Mountain Range

The Natal Midlands, which offer breathtaking beauty, undulating meadows, and an enticingly leisurely pace, are located at the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains.

The region, which is between Pietermaritzburg, Estcourt, and Greytown, has a rich history that ranges from the Zulu kingdom to the British colonial occupation in the 1850s.

The Drakensberg consists of one of the most scenic national parks, the Royal Natal National Park; it offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, including horseback riding, rock climbing on chain ladders, and fly fishing, in addition to hiking the well-marked mountain paths.

Watch out for the Lammergeyer vultures riding the thermals or the black eagles swooping above you!

The massive and well-known Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rock wall measuring 5 kilometers in length and 500 meters in height, serves as the center of attention for the reserve.

In a place of breathtaking natural beauty, the Tugela River runs over this sheer curved wall in a quite dramatic display.

The Sani Pass is a tiny dirt road that ascends into the mountains and crosses into the neighboring southern Lesotho border, which is located in the southernmost part of the “Berg.” It used to be a difficult mule path that led from Basutoland’s Eastern Highlands into KwaZulu-Natal, but today you may travel along it with an expert mountain guide and continue a historical tradition.

Resting in the shade of these mountains provides a chance to relax and get some air.

Along with hiking—there are countless walks across the Drakensberg Alti Montane Grasslands that vary in difficulty and physical requirements—there are also horse paths, canopy tours, white water rafting, abseiling, local arts and crafts, and the option to simply “take it easy” for those who only want to relax.

3. Royal Natal National Park

The KwaZulu-Natal nature reserve in South Africa’s Royal Natal National Park is known for its breathtaking beauty and amazing mountain ranges that explore its interior.

In a perfect location within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, this top KwaZulu-Natal nature reserve in Southern Africa provides gorgeously picturesque landscapes, tall mountains, and waterfalls.

Visitors can use the extensive guidebook that is available to them to explore the several trail routes on foot and horseback. Walkers and hikers can take advantage of hour-long short trips as well as longer outings that last a half or a full day. The two-day Mont-aux-Sources walk is strenuous.

The internationally renowned Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rock wall 5km (3 miles) long and 500 meters (546 yards) high, is the major attraction of this KwaZulu-Natal wildlife reserve in Southern Africa.

Mont-aux-Sources Peak in the Drakensberg mountains rises above the rocky outcrop where the Orange River begins its amazing trip across South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean.

When it flows eastward toward the Indian Ocean, the Thukela (River creates one of the highest waterfalls in the world as it rushes over the Amphitheatre’s cliff face.

Visitors can ride far and deep on horses into the highlands for breathtaking views and encounters with local species while they enjoy their stay at luxury lodges on lower slopes.

In this South African national park, multi-day hike tours in the Drakensberg Mountains are another popular activity for serious hikers.

4. Physical Geography of Drakensberg Mountains

4.1 Topography

Lesotho Drakensberg and the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho border with the Drakensberg Mountain Range, which lies in the eastern portion of the Great Escarpment.

It stretches to the North from the Eastern Province, snaking its way into Mokopane and the Limpopo Province, which is recognized as the Strypoort Mountains.

The Northern, Central, and Southern Regions serve a broad definition for the Drakensberg mountains. Throughout the range, some numerous deep valleys and peaks offer breathtaking mountain vistas.

4.2 Geology

The Drakensberg Mountains have been shaped into what they are today over millions of years by the effects of nature. The Drakensberg escarpment was actually created by extensive erosion, unlike many other mountains, which are the consequence of tectonic plate movements along the surface of the Earth.

On the continental shelf that encircles the subcontinent, sediments scraped from the steep central plateau have accumulated.

Over millennia, wind and water eroded the original African Plateau resulting in the intriguing Drakensberg landforms. The continental crust bulged in Southern Africa, creating The Great Escarpment.

Sandstone makes up the lower portions of the mountain range; it was left behind by a large lake that formerly covered southern Africa. The range has a substantial-top of basalt. This causes the Drakensberg’s unique sheer cliffs and pinnacles.

This fascinating geological process has produced the main mountain range, which is the Drakensberg Mountains.

4.3 Climate

The Drakensberg Mountain Range’s altitude, elevation, and surrounding terrain produce pleasant summer weather.

However, it can get ridiculously hot and frequently exceeds 86 F (30 C) in the southern foothills of the mountains.

December through February is considered the hot season and is not very popular among experienced hikers. The Drakensberg region is situated in the area of South Africa that receives summer rains.

Throughout these warm months, thunderstorms and downpours are commonplace and might linger for several days or perhaps a whole week.

Other frequent meteorological events that occur with storms include sleet and hail.

Typically, a morning accumulation of fluffy clouds at a high altitude precedes thunderstorms. By lunchtime, this will intensify into a storm.

From June through August, the Drakensberg experiences winter, marked by dry conditions and agreeably mild days. Temperatures during the day typically get over 68°F (20°C). But the temperatures at night can plunge considerably below 32 F (0 C), especially at higher altitudes.

In the winter, snow frequently covers the Drakensberg Mountains’ highest peaks and points. If the circumstances are ideal, it might even last into the summer. Sometimes during the winter, three-day-long blizzards create extremely hazardous hiking conditions.

The best seasons for weather are spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) when there is little rain and reasonable temperatures.

Generally speaking, these seasons are considered to be the greatest times for hiking the jagged peaks of the giant’s castle, which looks like a “sleeping giant.”

5. Drakensberg Mountain Regions in Southern Africa

5.1 The Northern Drakensberg Mountains

Because it contains the highest peaks of the mountains, the Northern Drakensberg region is one of the most well-liked tourist sites within the range.

The area is home to the Golden Gate National Park and the Royal Natal National Park, which are both included in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site.

Thousands of Bushmen rock drawings can be seen in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains. The rock art here depicts a wide range of themes and provides insight into life among the San people.

5.2 The Central Drakensberg Mountains

The Central Drakensberg region makes up a sizable component of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg. This area has a number of high peaks, including Giant’s Castle, Cathkin Peak, and Champagne Valley, all located above 3,000 meters in elevation.

One of the most well-known locations in the Drakensberg Range is Cathedral Peak, which is a fantastic place for trekking and viewing rock art. Mooi river flows through this region. Some of the mountain range’s most breathtaking beauty may be seen in the Central Drakensberg.

5.3 The Southern Drakensberg Mountains

The mountain range from Bushman’s Nek to Kamberg is known as the Southern Drakensberg. This area has a number of towns, including Underberg, Bulwer, and Himeville.

The exciting Sani Pass, which twists its way up an elevation of 1,332 vertical meters to reach its top at 2,876 meters above sea level, is the region’s most noteworthy attraction. The sole route connecting the Lesotho border and KwaZulu-Natal is the beautiful pass.

6. Major Drakensberg Peaks and Mountains

6.1 Cathedral Peak

Within the Drakensburg range, Cathedral Peak is one of the free-standing peaks of the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa, with a height of 3,004 meters. Locals refer to it as Mponjwana, which translates as “Little Horn,” among other names. Within Cathedral Ridge, which forms a right angle with the mountain range, is Cathedral Peak.

In 1917, D.W. Bassett-Smith and R.G. Kingdon made the first ascent of the mountain.

6.2 Champagne Castle

With a height of 3,377 meters, Champagne Castle is the second-highest mountain in South Africa. In addition to Cathkin Peak, Monk’s Cowl, Sterkhorn, and Dragon’s Back, it has several other significant peaks. Mountain reedbuck cod is found here.

According to legend, Champagne peak received its name when two mountaineers wanted to open a bottle of champagne to toast their ascent of Cathkin Peak. However, their tour guide accidentally spilled the bottle upon a rock, giving Champagne Castle its name.

6.3 Mafadi

Mafadi, a peak that rises 3,450 meters above sea level, is found on the boundary between South Africa and Lesotho in the Drakensberg range. It is the country of South Africa’s highest point.

The mountain’s name is in question because some believe that its original Sesotho name, Ntheledi, which means “makes me slip,” is more appropriate and pertinent because it pertains to a nearby stream. Mafadi, however, means “Mother of Fadi.”

6.4 Giants Castle

A peak named Giants Castle is one of the higher peaks, which rises 3,315 meters above sea level. It is a well-liked hiking location with stunning vistas. The summit is located in the southernmost part of the Central Drakensberg mountains, in the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve.

6.5 Thabana Ntlenyana

The Drakensberg Mountains’ highest mountain rage is Thabana Ntlenya, which in Sesotho means “pretty tiny mountain” and rises 3,482 meters above sea level. This summit may be found in the Maloti Mountains, a component of the Drakensberg mountains South Africa and located in the highlands of Lesotho.

You may sometimes explore the numerous caverns spotted among the Drakensberg’s valleys and sandstone cliffs.

These mountains provide a wide range of exhilarating adventure sports set against a stunning mountain backdrop. There is something for everyone, whether you want to relax and take in the environment, go hiking and rock climbing, or both!

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Steffy Michael