|
Drakensberg Hotels
Drakensberg and Surrounding Area:
|
 |
|
The Alpine Health Resort - five stars
The Alpine Health Resort is located in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains, only a three hours drive from Johannesburg and from Durban.
|
 |
|
Cathedral Peak Hotel - three stars
The Cathedral Peak Hotel, nestled in the valley where the San (Bushmen) people once hunted, is one of the most popular Hotels in the Natal Drakensberg.
|
 |
|
Champagne Sports Resort - four stars
Situated in the majestic Central Drakensberg KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, boasting the most spectacular view of Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak, one can find the Champagne Sports Resort.
|
 |
|
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse - five stars
The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is located in a magnificent setting with splendid views of the mountains and running with crystal clear streams and waterfalls in the Drakensberg Mountain, KwaZulu Natal.
|
 |
|
Drakensberg Sun Hotel - four stars
The Drakensberg Sun is a timeshare resort featuring 78 rooms. It is situated high in the magnificent landscape of the Cathkin Peak area of the Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
|
 |
|
Hartford House - five stars
The Hartford House which is located in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is renowned for its fourteen incomparably-styled luxury suites with underfloor heating, heated towel rails and generous bathrooms.
|
 |
|
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa - three stars
Named after the "Cannibal Cavern", The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa is situated on 3000 hectares of private mountain reserve adjacent to the Ampitheatre Royal Natal National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
|
Dundee
|
 |
|
Isandlwana Lodge - four stars
The unique Isandlwana Lodge is carved into the iNyoni rock overlooking Mount Isandlwana, which is the site of the historic Anglo-Zulu war battle.
|
Drakensberg Information:
The Drakensberg Mountain Range, South Africa
The roof of South Africa is known to the Zulu nation as the mountain range uKhahlamba, which means “Barrier of spears”, and the Europeans named it the Dragon Mountains.
Huge basalt cliffs rise 4000 meters above sea level creating balancing rocks, pinnacles, cliffs, overhangs and deep caves in the Drakensberg. The high cliffs run for 200 kilometers from Mont Aux-Sources in the north to Bushman’s Nek in the south.
Northern Drakensberg:
Royal Natal Nature Reserve, Mont Aux-Sources, Rugged Glen National Park, Tugela Waterfalls, Mlambonya Wilderness Area, Cathedral Peak, Mdedelelo Wilderness Area
Central Drakensberg:
Champagne Castle, Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, Mkhomazi Wilderness Area
Southern Drakensberg:
Sani Pass, Underberg, Garden Castle, Bushman’s Nek
The Drakensberg Mountain range, which is located in South Africa, forms a 200-kilometre-long mountainous landscape. It is the Drakensberg which is South Africa’s highest and most impressive mountain range rising to over 3 000 meters in some areas. The largest region of the South African Drakensberg Mountains is situated in KwaZulu-Natal.
In the year 2000, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park in South Africa was registered as a World Heritage Site. As the Drakensberg Park meets the criterias for natural and cultural listings, it is unique for its natural beauty, its richness of biological diversity as well as the conservation of endemic and threatened species.
From the grand basalt cliffs of the northern parts of the Drakensberg to the soaring sandstone in the south, the Drakensberg mountain range offers numerous activities for the outdoor enthusiasts. It is here in the majestic Drakensberg mountains where the world's second highest waterfall, the Tugela Falls, tumbles down a series of breathtaking cascades.
The majority of the Drakensberg makes up the Natal Drakensberg Park, which is a wilderness area known for its abundance of wildlife. Bushbuck, oribi, mountain reedbuck, tiny duiker, and the largest of South Africa’s antelope species, the eland, as well as many others can be encountered in the Natal Drakensberg Park. Large lammergeier, or bearded vultures, fly overhead and baboons bark from the cliffs. In the higher altitudes of the Drakensberg mountains varieties of protea trees show their prehistoric flowers, and ancient tree ferns and the odd cycad dot the gullies.
The Natal Midlands
The Natal Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal are a fascinating mixtures of farmlands studded with charming towns which are located between the snow-topped Drakensberg and the holiday beaches of the South African coast. It is here, between the two extremes, the warm coastal forest and the snow-covered heights of the Drakensberg mountain range, lie the 200 kilometer wide Natal midlands. Through this magnificent landscape the ground rises from sea level to 1,200 meters at the base of the Drakensberg. Numerous hills and deep river valleys are the main characteristics of this scenic beauty, which is found at the Natal midlands in South Africa.
All the rivers of KwaZulu-Natal have their springs in the Drakensberg mountain range. In some areas, the streams and rivers drop a considerable altitude within short distances, thereby creating waterfalls, rapids and deep spectacular gorges. The main rivers in this South African region are the Mzimkulu, Mkomazi, Mgeni and Tugela. It is these great rivers and the lush green valleys, which provide beautiful scenery where outdoor adventures such as mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and fishing can be enjoyed.
Pietermaritzburg, which is located in the Natal midlands, is the provincial capital of KwaZulu-Natal. The Provincial Council building next to the old Legislative Council building in Pietermaritzburg contains mementos and portraits of Natal’s early days.
Near the town of Howick, several waterfalls can be found: Cascade Falls (25 meters), Shelter Falls (37 meters), Karkloof Falls (105 meters). The first inhabitant of the town of Howick, which is named after the Northumberland home of earl Grey, the British colonial secretary, was a hotel keeper who also provided a ferry service.
In Estcourt, a fort was built in 1847 to guard the fording place over the Bushmans River. Shopkeepers, blacksmiths and innkeepers were attracted to this area and in 1863 the growing area in and around Escourt was named after Thomas Escourt, an English parliamentarian who had promoted immigration to Natal.
Mooi River, translated as the ‘beautiful river’, flows through a fertile valley. Willow trees line the riverbanks and the hillsides are richly grassed. The altitude of the town of Mooi River, which is 1389 meters above sea level, gives this area a crisp climate in contrast to the heat and humidity of the coat 160 kilometers to the south east.
Newcastle was the fourth town to be established in Natal after Durban, Weenen and Pietermaritzburg. Newcastle was named after the British colonial secretary, the Duke of Newcastle. It was founded in 1864 as a trade and administrative center of northern Natal.
|
|
|
You are here : 
