About the Drakensberg mountains
Introduction to the Drakensberg and its regions
The Drakensberg mountain range dramatically separates the highveld of South Africa from its Eastern coastal belt and extends some 1600km from the northern provinces through to the Cape. Here, where millions of years ago, the land was rent apart by cataclysmic upheavals, nature has left us with some magnificent scenery... and none more so than at the spectacular watershed border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho - where the basalt cliffs tower hundreds of metres ab0ve the sandstone flanked valleys
Abundant rock paintings adorn the rock faces
The climate here varies considerably depending on altitude. Unlike the harsh, inhospitable alpine zone of the High 'Berg summit, the warmer sandstone valleys of the Little 'berg were home to the hunter gatherer Bushmen for thousands of years. These small-built San people survived on wild game and sheltered under overhangs in the sandstone cliffs. Sadly, the Bushmen have all gone, but fortunately they created a fascinating diary of their lives, through the abundant rock paintings that they left adorning many of the sandstone rock faces.
The 'Berg is characterised by a rich diversity of plant life
More recently Nguni peoples moved into many of the water-rich valleys in these foothills. Unfortunately, in many instances the burgeoning population of man and livestock has led to serious degradation of the ground cover - resulting in damage to this precious water catchment area. However, on a positive note, this has protected the area from intense commercial development.
... the diverse natural beauty and temporate climate ...
The moist cool southern slopes of the Little 'Berg are characterised by pockets of indigenous Yellowwood forests with a rich diversity of plant life. Rivers and streams run fast and clear on these slopes and provide water to the people and industry of South Africa's heartland through the Drakensberg pumped water scheme.
... its about refreshing the human spirit!
The 'berg with its diverse natural beauty and temperate climate, provides a playground that will satisfy many interests. Resorts are picturesquely situated amongst the foothills and all provide numerous facilities.
The Drakensberg is a precious heritage of ecological, historical and scenic diversity that nature has bestowed on us for our safekeeping and enjoyment. A holiday in the mountains is more than just accommodation: its about refreshing the human spirit.
