The Drakensberg Mountain Range

The Drakensberg Mountain Range rises to staggering 4000 metres and is the highest range in South Africa. The range runs the length of more than 1000 kilometres from north to south, its foothills pushing into the Kruger National Park in the North and into the Eastern Cape in the South. To the west of the Kruger Park, the foothills shape staggering landscapes, like the famous Blyde River Canyon. When South Africans talk about the Drakensberg Mountains, or the so-called Great-Escarpment, they usually mean the central or southern part of the Drakensberg Range in KwaZulu Natal. Here, the mountains truly reach for the sky and create a panorama you will not find anywhere else: A Breathtaking landscape with deep gorges and gushing waterfalls, snowy peaks in winter and lush green valleys in summer. One of the most well known attractions is the Amphitheatre, a mountain formation shaped like a theatre. A breathtaking sight! The mountains run almost parallel to the border with Lesotho. The spectacular Sani mountain pass is the highest in South Africa and leads to the kingdom of Lesotho. At its highest point, you have to navigate across a section that is 2874 metres high – an adventure that it is only recommended to undertake with a 4x4 vehicle. Offering more than mountain scenery, the Drakensberg Mountains are blessed with prolific wildlife and lush vegetation. Rare species like the Bohor Reedbuck, Blesboks, Elands, Bushbucks and Oribis inhabit the high altitudes. The landscape is fascinating and words can hardly do it justice– you have to experience it yourself! Large parts of the mountain range are a nature conservation area, specifically the Natal Drakensberg Park in the central region. The beautiful scenery is just made for hiking. A short walk is already a great introduction to the amazing nature. For longer trips and serious trekking, we recommend a professional guide. The Drakensberg Mountains are true wilderness and people had to be rescued by helicopters and search parties in the past. On an international level, the Drakensberg Mountains are still an insider’s tip. For this reason, you will not find any mass tourism in this largely unexplored area. Good starting points for exploring the mountains are the towns Pietermaritzburg at the east of the Great Escarpment and Cathedral Peak in the northern part of the Drakensberg Mountains. We recommend flying from Johannesburg to Durban. From Durban, it is only a two-hour drive to the eastern foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. Always a good idea: Combine this alpine trip with a holiday at the Indian Ocean’s beautiful beaches and visit South Africa’s oldest game reserve in Hluhluwe – it is a pleasure for the INTOSOL team to design the perfect itinerary for you!

* price per person/week including flight