We took a recent trip from Durban on an overnight tour package to the Drakensberg Mountains in the beautiful province of Kwa Zulu Natal. The majestic mountains contain the highest peaks in Southern Africa with amazing hiking on offer, wildlife and a chance to see some San (bushmen) rock art.
We left Durban in the morning around 9am and made our way up through the Valley of a Thousand Hills.Here we stopped off at the Inanda township and spoke about a the different cultures and experienced how a township in South Africa is set up and works.
Then it was onto the Drakensberg Mountains and into the undulating valleys and rugged peaks. Our first point of call being Giants Castle Reserve. The entire Drakensberg Mountain range or uKuhlamba (barrier of spears) National Park is a declared world heritage site. This is because of the unique Fauna and flora as well as the some 50 000 San (bushmen) paintings that can be seen in the many caves and overhangs.
On arrival, just 3 hours drive from Durban, we checked in for our overnight stay at Giants Castle resort and quickly prepared ourselves for a sunset hike. The guests were settling into their Durban overnight tour nicely and although they weren’t big hikers, just a short walk and already we had spectacular views of the Drakensberg and a incredible sunset.
That evening we had a wonderful dinner in the restaurant, of freshly caught trout from the Drakensberg streams. The next morning, a quick breakfast and off we went on another hike to see some bushmen paintings. The overhangs are just a hours walk from the lodge so suits all ages and fitness levels. On arrival a local guide meets you and takes you through to see the paintings. A very well set out display and wooden platforms greet you and the local guide provides you with excellent information about these ancient people.
We arrived back at the lodge around lunch time, checked out and made our way to the Northern Drakensberg, the Didima Reserve at Cathedral Peak. Here we checked into our rooms that had absolutely spectacular views of the Cathedral Peak, right from your balcony.
