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Drakensberg Map
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The
Mighty Drakensberg Mountains by Phillip Lagerwall
The Drakensberg is a 200 km
long stretch of mountains in South Africa, the majority of this range falls
in the Kwa Zulu Natal province. Translated into English, Drakensberg means
"Dragons Mountain" and its Zulu name ukhalamba, meaning "barrier of spears"
gives a brief description of this truly magical mountain range.
 It
is said to have been inhabited since the Stone Age and has captivated the
imagination of every generation and culture, such as the San hunter gatherers
and the Zulus, to have laid eyes on it. The Boers were forced to negotiate
through this mountain range in 1837 during the great trek in order to reach
their "promised land" and they came up with the name Drakensberg.
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 Towns
in the surrounding area include Bergville, Estcourt, Underberg and Himeville,
Mooi River, Nottingham Road, Rosetta, Winterton, Kokstad, MatatieIe and
Swartberg. In the year 2000 the Ukhalambha-Drakensberg Park was made a
world heritage site and rightly so. It met both the criteria for the natural
and cultural listings and is a rare example of where such awesome displays
of nature are interlaced with a deep and rich history. If one is in the
South Africa it is a definite must see.
As for accommodation the
Drakensberg has it all. You can find yourself getting a deep tissue massage
at a luxury spa or sharing a cave with other adventurous hikers. It also
has hotels, bed and breakfast, guest houses, caravan sites, camping grounds
and cabins so what ever your preference you are guaranteed to find it.
 Activities
are limitless and this region caters for every walk of life and every age.
Obviously the most popular activity is hiking and walks. Once again the
region caters for all, whether you would like to take a slow amble alongside
one of the hundreds of streams and rivers or maybe spend five days on a
guided hike through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
Other popular activities include horse riding, quad biking, fly fishing
for trout in a crisp mountain stream, playing on one of the many world
class golf resorts, taking the 4X4 on a trail or simply catching up on
some rest with a good book. The Drakensberg is also home to many game reserves
managed and run by the Kwa Zulu Natal Parks Board where you have the chance
of seeing many varieties of antelope, like Eland and the elusive Bushbuck,
hundreds of species of birdlife and of course the baboon troops that make
these mountains there home. The parks have excellent facilities and you
can buy a pamphlet at reception that gives you a map and list of the trails
in the park. Another major attraction is the bushman caves in various parts
of the range. At Giants castle there is a bushman museum which allows you
to get an insight into the life of the earliest inhabitants of this region
and guided hikes can be taken to view the caves they lived in and the ancient
paintings on the walls of these caves.
This area some how manages
to offer a platter of accommodation, activities and experiences that appeal
to such a wide variety of tastes that it is rare to come away from a holiday
in the region and not have had a wonderful and memorable time.
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About the Author - For more
information on the Drakensberg and Drakensberg Holiday Destinations visit
www.wti24seven.com for relevant information and available travel services
in the area. |
NORTHERN
DRAKENSBERG ACCOMMODATION
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BED
& BREAKFASTS/GUEST HOUSES & LODGES IN NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL
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The
Itumeleng Guest House, Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
tumeleng Guest House is
situated in the small town of Bergville, offering cosy and comfortable
accommodation, in a quaint setting. This home away from home has its own
halaal pizzeria, a coffee shop with a laid-back ambiance, as well as a
shop.Bergville is situated in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountain.
The town has its share of eateries, shops and butcheries. The Spioenkop
Dam and the Rugged Glen Nature Reserve are close by, along with Cathkin’s
Peak State Forest and Monk’s Cowl, making the town an ideal base for discovering
the Drakensberg. |
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY
PREVIOUS GUESTS:
Three
Trees At Spioenkop, near Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Overlooking the Spioenkop
Game Reserve, this Three Trees at Spienskp offers luxury accommodation.
It features a sun deck next to an outdoor swimming pool. There hiking and
bus walk trails nearby. All rooms at Three Trees are spacious and feature
touches of African décor. All rooms have private balconies offering
nature views. Bathroom amenities are provided in all en suite bathrooms.
Three Tree’s bar serves local liqueurs and other alcoholic drinks. Guests
can also relax and read a book from the lodge’s library. The lodge is a
35-minute drive away from Bergville. |
More
accommodation in the Drakensberg - More
Bergville accommodation
HOTELS
& RESORT HOTELS IN NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL
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Alpine
Heath Resort, Hotel/Self-Catering, Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Just three hours from both
Johannesburg and Durban, and considered to be one of Southern Africa's
premier conference and holiday venues, Alpine Heath Resort allows you to
relax in the comfort of an exclusive mountain village nestled in the midst
of the Northern Drakensberg. The entertainment capital of the 'Berg,
Alpine Heath offers superb chalet accommodation, fine cuisine, an abundance
of indoor and outdoor activities and state-of-the-art conference facilities.
Accommodation comprises : 100 Chalets, that each sleep 6, 100 Fully equipped
three-bedroom chalets (1 x double bed and 2 x twin bed), 1 x 5-Sleeper
Chalet catering for the disabled. Chalets sleep a maximum of 6 people.
Chalets are self-catering with the option of having meals at the Hotel. |
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Little
Switzerland Hotel, Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Little Switzerland Hotel
is an unforgettable experience enhanced by the peace and tranquillity of
the majestic Drakensberg mountains. Savour the breathtaking views,
explore the lush fern-filled forests, seek out the exciting bird life and
delight in this ancient wilderness of flower decked foothills, bubbling
streams and cascading waterfalls, where old mysteries remain and the tiny
San left their priceless legacy of rock art. Undeniably a little bit of
heaven in a very special land. Little Switzerland is very popular
with South Africans as well as a growing fraternity of foreign tourists,
not only for the beautiful views and superb cuisine, but also for the hikes
and walks organised by the Resort to the top of the Amphitheatre (elevation
3050m). Set in a private estate of some 1700 hectares (+/- 4000 acres),
Little Switzerland is unrivalled by any other Resort in the Drakensberg. |
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Sandford
Park Country Hotel, Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Sandford Park …Started life
as a coach house. Nestled at the foothills of the uKhahlama - Drakensberg
Mountains, now a proclaimed World Heritage Site - a century old coach house
nestles peacefully amid natural springs and streams. Dating back
to 1850, Sandford Park started its life as a coach house offering food
and shelter for pioneers carving a road between KwaZulu - Natal and the
Transvaal. A Battle ground of fierce and bloody conflicts between Boer
and British troops for control of land and water, home for a British garrison
sent to relieve the town of Ladysmith, causing the historical battle of
Spioenkop, Sandford survived almost complete obliteration. Today, Sandford
Park Country Hotel has been restored to a place of complete relaxation
and tranquility. A two-and-a-half hour drive from Durban and three-and-a-half
hours from Johannesburg on a tarred road, Sandford is in a perfect position
to explore the Berg. |
More
accommodation in the Drakensberg - More
Bergville accommodation
SELF-CATERING
IN NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL
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Alpine
Heath Resort, Self-Catering, Bergville, NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Just three hours from both
Johannesburg and Durban, and considered to be one of Southern Africa's
premier conference and holiday venues, Alpine Heath Resort allows you to
relax in the comfort of an exclusive mountain village nestled in the midst
of the Northern Drakensberg. The entertainment capital of the 'Berg,
Alpine Heath offers superb chalet accommodation, fine cuisine, an abundance
of indoor and outdoor activities and state-of-the-art conference facilities.
Accommodation comprises : 100 Chalets, that each sleep 6, 100 Fully equipped
three-bedroom chalets (1 x double bed and 2 x twin bed), 1 x 5-Sleeper
Chalet catering for the disabled. Chalets sleep a maximum of 6 people.
Chalets are self-catering with the option of having meals at the Hotel. |
More
accommodation in the Drakensberg
SOUTHERN
DRAKENSBERG ACCOMMODATION
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SOUTHERN
DRAKENSBERG BED & BREAKFAST/GUEST HOUSE/LODGE ACCOMMODATION, KWAZULU-NATAL
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Amazian
Mountain River Lodge Drakensberg, DB&B/Self-Catering, Underberg, SOUTHERN
DRAKENSBERG
Amazian Mountain River Lodge
is situated at the House of Labyrinths in the Drakensberg. Relax
in the luxury quality four star honeymoon suites complete with spa baths
and underfloor heating, enjoy a de-stress aromatherapy treatment, sip cocktails
and savour the chef's gourmet creations. Our beautiful Labyrinth
is situated at the river and has a gazebo in the center. This venue is
ideal for a small romantic wedding or to renew your vows. When your
batteries are recharged, explore the beautiful mountain scenery on horse
back or by foot, go on a guided rock-art tour in the southern Drakensberg
World Heritage sites, or try your hand at wild-trout fishing. For
the more adventurous, there's a 4x4 trip up the legendary Sani Pass, para
gliding, quad bike picnics, or boating on the Umzimkulu river. |
See
also: Mooi River - Natal Midlands/Southern Drakensberg
More
accommodation in the Drakensberg - Underberg
Accommodation
SOUTHERN
DRAKENSBERG SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION, KWAZULU-NATAL
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY
PREVIOUS GUESTS:
J&B
Lodge, Self-Catering Accommodation, Underberg, SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Featuring a patio with mountain
views, J&B Lodge is a holiday home, located in Underberg. It provides
free private parking. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. An
oven and a microwave can be found in the kitchenette. A flat-screen TV
with satellite channels and DVD player is offered. Other facilities at
J&B Lodge include a barbecue. |
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The
Old Hatchery, Self-Catering, Underberg, SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Situated in a beautifully
picturesque area, on the Drakensberg Gardens Road, Ridgedale Trout Farm
offers visitors self-catering accommodation in 8 fully equipped and serviced
cottages, 4 overlooking the trout dam, for. Most of the cottages sleep
2 each, while one 8-sleeper is available for larger groups. For those
seeking seclusion and a little more luxury, Oak Tree Lodge is a stunning,
upmarket guesthouse offering 6 en-suite units on a bed and breakfast basis.
Together, the estate is ideal for company weekends away, with Management
staying at the Lodge, while staff can let their hair down at the Trout
Farm. In this way, up to 34 may be accommodated on a sharing basis.
For guests' convenience there is a large thatched function area with bar,
fridges,
braai, fireplace and wooden deck overlooks the trout dam, which is fed
by a beautiful natural waterfall. |
See
also: Mooi River - Natal Midlands/Southern Drakensberg
More
accommodation in the Drakensberg - Underberg
Accommodation
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