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About Drakensberg

The name ‘Drakensberg’ is derived from the dutch and means “mountains of the dragon”. The mountain range was formed by a lava flow.

Get in by car

The N3 highway (a toll road) is the major road artery through KwaZulu-Natal and connects with Durban to the south and Johannesburg to the north. One of the regional roads leading off the N3 will get you to where you need to be.

Get in by plane

There are no major airports in the region. The nearest international airport is in Durban. Pietermaritzburg has a smaller regional airport with daily domestic flights.

Get in by bus

Baz Bus, runs a regular service between Durban and Johannesburg/Pretoria with stops in Pietermaritzburg and at the Ampitheater in the Royal Natal National Park.

Underberg/NUD Express runs door-to-door shuttle service between the Sani Pass lodges, Underberg, Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Kokstad,and Durban.

Get around by car

The best way to get around is by hired car. Roads are tarred and for the most part well maintained and signposted.

See

• Tugela Falls. The second highest waterfall in the world, with a total drop of 947 m in 5 leaps. Located in the Royal Natal National Park.

Do

Northern Drakensberg

The Northern Drakensberg is generally the warmest area of the berg in Winter, with little to no snow and higher temperatures than Johannesburg.

• Hiking around the Ampitheatre. Spectacular hiking around a mountain feature known as the “amphitheater” or “theater” for short. Hiking on top of the theater itself is possible. If you are staying in the Royal Natal, it is either a two day hike or to the top, or a one hour drive to a gate near the top. The hike on the top takes place on comparatively gentle terrain. At one point, it is necessary to either climb a steep gully or to climb up chain ladders. Chain ladders are the easiest but the gully may be more rewarding.
• Royal Natal National Park features excellent hiking and accommodation facilities. In particular, there is the Tugela Falls Gorge Walk, which is about 22 kilometers on relatively flat terrain.
• Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Southern Drakensberg

• Sani Pass. Sani Pass is an eight kilometer mountain pass that can only be traversed by four wheel drive vehicles. These eight kilometers are “no mans land” because the South African border post lies at the bottom and the Lesotho border post lies at the top. Four-wheel drive minibus taxis can be used by travellers to get up or down, but the wait might be considerable.