Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Drakensberg Mountains spread onto immense valleys into which you descend on a curvaceous road. Endless folded hills stretch in a swathe of green velvet, while in other places the sandstone rocks glow gold in evening light. In contrast, sharp mountain peaks pierce the dense blue sky – sometimes with a cap of snow. There are several parks and reserves in and around the Drakensberg Mountains, some private and others administered by KZN Wildlife and National Park’s offices.

These types of mountains are strongly recommended for nature lovers, bird watchers, families and in particular hikers and climbers. There is something for just about everyone who wants to soak up the magnitude of the surroundings and the crystal quality of the air which is cleansed by summer storms. Thunder and lightening echo through the infinite expanse of the Drakensberg in a theatrical spectacle and only during this furore, can you imagine the savage battles that were once fought here during confrontations between Brits, Boers and Zulus.

The mountains are the domain of eagles who lord over the skies in particular black eagles and bearded vultures. Roaming the hills and valleys are herds of eland and smaller buck. They are also rich in plant life, including a large number of species listed in the Red Data Book of threatened plants, with 119 species listed as globally endangered. The high slopes are hard to reach so the environment is fairly undamaged. However, tourism in the Drakensberg is developing, with a variety of hiking trails, 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. Caves are frequent in the more easily eroded sandstone, and many have rock paintings by the Bushmen.

The best time to visit the mountains is the rainy season. Rainy Season: It rains in summer in sudden bursts and thunderstorms from October to April. Everything is green and lush and flowers cover the meadows. Dry Season: The dry season lasts over the winter months from May to September and in mid-winter (June to August) it gets extremely cold at night with sharp frosts and snow falls.