Central Drakensberg

Description

The Central Drakensberg forms part of the 200km Drakensberg mountain range and World Heritage Site. Famous for its family and sports related resorts, the Central Berg offers a range of activities and eco-tourist attractions. With winter snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, rock art, fauna, and flora, every holiday is a wonderland experience filled with relentless scenic beauty. Complete your adventure experience with a cosy Drakensberg accommodation to match.

Also named 'Ukhahlamba' (the Barrier of Spears) by the Zulu and 'The Dragon Mountain' by the Voortrekkers, the Drakensberg (commonly known as the “Berg”) is an awe-inspiring range of basalt cliffs and peaks towering over riverine bush and yellowwood forests. The Central Berg consists of the Mlambonja Wilderness Area, including Cathedral Peak, the Mdedelo Wilderness Area including Cathkin Peak (3,149m) and Champagne Castle (3,248m) as well as Monk's Cowl, which presents one of the most difficult climbs in the Berg. It also includes Injisuthi, Giant's Castle, Highmoor, Kamberg, and the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area. Some of the highest and most spectacular peaks can be found here.

Champagne Valley is home to the internationally-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir, whose public performances have reached legendary status. Tourists can enjoy an educational bee-keeping tour, the newly introduced Drakensberg Canopy Tours, visit Falcon Ridge for daily raptor shows, or peruse locally made arts, crafts, and Eyethu pottery. Other popular outdoor activities include hiking, horse riding, bowling, karting, quad-biking, and river rafting. With a nominal entrance fee, Bell Park Dam is superb for a day of water sports, braais, and fishing.

The Central Berg is particularly famous for its many challenging golf courses. Champagne Sports Resort boasts a full 18-hole championship golf course played beneath the Cathkin Range; Monk's Cowl Country Club and Cathedral Peak Hotel feature 9-hole courses; and the Drakensberg Sun has a chip-and-putt course.

The region is supported mostly by the town of Winterton. The Winterton Museum features an interesting display with special features like an AmaZizi replica homestead, agricultural implements, displays on local history, and an excellent library on the South African War. Other attractions include Doreen Falls, Didima Resort and San Art Centre, the Mweni Cultural Centre, and Rainbow Gorge to see two enormous boulders forming a striking wedge. The Giant’s Castle caves are particularly rich in San art, but the highlight is the Cave Museum, where audio-visual and standing displays depict the 'home life' of these tragic nomads. Another worthwhile visit is the Vulture Restaurant, which has a camouflaged hide where you can see birds of prey feeding.

Only 12km from Winterton, the Spionkop Game Reserve is stocked with plains game and white rhino. Here you can take a self-drive circuit or twice-daily horse rides into the bush to wander among the animals. Several reserves and private game ranches can be found in the area, including Camorhi Game Reserve (also known as White Lions), which has a breeding project for white lions and is home to cheetah, wild dog, lynx, and plains game.

Start planning your Drakensberg experience today!