Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » DrakensbergThe Drakensberg MountainsThe Drakensberg offers dramatic mountain views and spectacular wild flowersThe Drakensberg range is located in the eastern part of South Africa, running for some 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from south-west to north-east. The mountains drain on the western slopes by the Orange and Vaal rivers, and on the east and south by a number of smaller rivers, the Tugela being the largest. The range separates KwaZulu-Natal Province from Free State Province, looming over the nearby coast of Natal.
A Guide to the Drakensberg describes the escarpment as lying "parallel to the south-eastern coast of South Africa from the Limpopo Province to the Eastern Cape. In the vicinity of Giant's Castle, it "swings to the south-west and enters the Eastern Cape", splitting there into the separate ranges of Stormberg, Bamboes, Suurberg, Nieuveld and Komsberg.
Drakensberg Geological origins
During the Pre-Cambrian era, volcanic eruptions in the area resulted in lava covering large sections of the Southern African sub-continent. In the Mesozoic era, wind and water deposited thick layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone, now known as the Karoo Supergroup, over the ancient primary rock. When Gondwanaland began to break up 200 million years ago, the resultant forces caused the extrusion of magma, known as Drakensberg lava, through fissures and cracks in the earth's suface. In the Drakensberg region it capped the sedimentary rock formations with layers of solid basalt up to 1400 m thick. Weathering reduced the range's size, and caused the plateau to receed. In modern times, continued erosion has exposed some of the underlying sediment.
Geomorphology of the Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are capped by a layer of basalt approximately 1,400 m thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles.
The majority of the range is basalt, as a result of continental upheval and volcanic activity in the Pre-Cambrian era. Many of the lava flows are characterized by amygdaloidal zones.[2] Many of the primary minerals within the basalts have been subjected to varying degrees of deuteric alteration which has led to the formation of clay, as well as chlorite and zeolite to a lesser extent.[2] Some interstitial glass has also broken down to form clay. These secondary minerals, together with zeolites which occur notably as amygdaloidal fillings, mean that many of the basalts break down rapidly on exposure. The breakdown results from the expansion which occurs when the clay minerals swell on absorption of water.
Highest Drakensberg peaks
The highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana, at 3,482 metres (11,420 ft). Other notable peaks include Mafadi at 3,450 m, Makoaneng at 3,416 m, Njesuthi at 3,408 m, Champagne Castle at 3,377 m, Giant's Castle at 3,315 m, and Ben Macdhui at 3,001 m. All of these are in the area bordering on Lesotho; north of Lesotho the range becomes lower and less rugged until entering Mpumalanga where the quartzite mountains of the Transvaal Drakensberg are more broken. The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is within the Northern reaches of the Drakensberg, though its geology appears different due to the lack of a Basalt cap. South Africa's Drakensberg mountains are home to the world's second-highest waterfall, the Tugela Falls (Thukela Falls), with a total drop of 947 metres.
Ecology of the DrakensbergThe mountains are "home to aquatic, forest, scrub, fynbos, savannah, mountain grassland and heath plant families", including a large number of species listed in the Red Data Book of threatened plants, with 119 species listed as globally endangered." That site also says that: "of the 2 153 plant species in the park, a remarkable 98 are endemic or near-endemic."
The Drakensberg area is "home to 299 recorded bird species", making up "37% of all non-marine avian species in southern Africa."
Drakensberg Caves and cave paintings
Caves are frequent in the more easily eroded sandstone, and many have rock paintings by the Bushmen. The Drakensberg has between 35000 and 40000 works of bushman art and is the largest collection of such work in the world. Some 20,000 individual rock paintings have been recorded at 500 different cave and overhang sites between the Drakensberg Royal Natal National Park and Bushman's Neck. Due to the materials used in their production, these paintings are difficult to date, but there is anthropological evidence, including many hunting implements, that the bushman civilization existed in the Drakensberg at least 40,000 years ago, and possibly over 100,000 years ago. Ndedema Gorge in the Central Drakensberg 3,900 paintings have been recorded at 17 sites. One of them, Sebaayeni Cave, contains 1 146 individual paintings." Southafrica.info indicates that though "the oldest painting on a rock shelter wall in the Drakensberg dates back about 2400 years", "paint chips at least a thousand years older have also been found." The site also indicates that "[t]he rock art of the Drakensberg is the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, and is outstanding both in quality and diversity of subject."
Drakensberg Conservation
Tourism in the Drakensberg is developing, with a variety of hotels and resorts appearing on the slopes. Most of the higher South African parts of the range have been designated as game reserves or wilderness areas. The uKhahlamba or Drakensberg National Park, located in KwaZulu-Natal, near the border with Lesotho, was listed by UNESCO in 2000 as a World Heritage site. The park is also in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (under the Ramsar Convention). Adjacent to the Drakensberg National Park is Cathkin Estates Conservation and Wildlife Sanctuary which spans 1044HA of virgin grassland and represents the largest privately owned game park in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg region.Accommodation in and around Drakensberg Wild Berry Guest Farm accommodation in Drakensberg
On the Giants Castle Rd. Wild Berry, set in the heart of the Drakensberg is a birdwatchers dream. An ideal base to discover the local attractions, explore the farm or enjoy a game of chess or have a quiet (romantic) break. A unique experience.Set in ... More
 Silver Hill Lodge accommodation in Drakensberg
Silver Hill Lodge is situated in the beautiful Kamberg Valley, Central Drakensberg. It is a mere 35 minutes from Nottingham Road and Mooi River. The Little Berg mountain range, which includes Mount Cleopatra, Mount Erskine and Mount Lebanon prov... More
 Horshoe Cottage accommodation in Drakensberg
Self catering, serviced cottage - sleeping 4 in two tastefully decorated bedrooms. Fully equipped kitchen and TV in lounge. Bring own card for DSTV. Open fireplace with wood supplied. Braai facility on verandah - bring charcoal.... More
 Fountain Hall Guest Farm accommodation in Drakensberg
The house is fully equipped for self catering. There is a lovely fire place in a large Lounge / Dinningroom area. It consists of 2 bedrooms. The main bedroom has a double bed, a single bed, a cot, walk in wardrobe and an on suite bathroom. The s... More
 Glengarry Park accommodation in Drakensberg
Trout fishing, hiking, birding, golf, bowls, river swimming & tubing, mountain bike cycling or relaxing in our beautiful English Gardens are all offered at Glengarry. One and two bedroomed thatch cottages fully equipped with indoor fireplaces ... More
 Meshlynn Fishing Cottage accommodation in Drakensberg
Meshlynn Fishing Cottage offers self catering accommodation for up to seven people. Meshlynn Farm is 40 Km's from Mooi River, with tar road all the way. Travelling time from Johannesburg is about 4hrs 30 mins, and about 2hrs from Durban. The cott... More
 Heronmoor Cottage accommodation in Drakensberg
Nestled in a tranquil valley in the Kamberg region of KwaZulu Natal, and enjoying stunning views of the Giants Castle and the Drakensberg mountains. Heronmoor is the perfect place to take a break.Our self catering cottages makea wonderful base,... More
 Brackenburn Trout Retreat accommodation in Drakensberg
Well appointed, newly-built self catering cottage for six overlooking a dam. Little Mooi river frontage. Set in the beautiful Kamberg Valley, in the foothills of the Drakensberg. Peacefull and private. Fully serviced, bed line... More
 Naval Hill accommodation in Drakensberg
Experience the culture of the Navy in a different manner!!! Luxury cabins fit for Admirals, overlooking the tranquil waters of the Mooi River. Listen to the call of the Fish-Eagle, hunting atop the water; watch the Egyptian Geese flying above and sou... More
 Providence, No. 5 Giants Castle Road. accommodation in Drakensberg
A fully equipped self-catering venue, set in the beautiful KWA-ZULU NATAL MIDLANDS and CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG district. Only 3,5 km the town of MOOI RIVER and 6km from the N3 National Road, on the famous and popular MIDLANDS MEANDER ARTS & CRA... More
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