The Drakensberg in the province of KwaZulu-Natal consists of an imposing wall of rock that rises to 3000m, creating  inspiring views and hikes.  Known to the Zulus as the Barrier of Spears and to the first European settlers as the Dragon's Mountains, the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg is 1 of 8 South African UNESCO World Heritage sites, both for its significance as a natural resource and for the heritage of the San Paintings. For thousands of years they hosted the San people who left their record on the walls on numerous sandstone caves.  Today most of the Drakensberg are protected as a National Park and are a major attraction for the lover of the outdoors.

The Southern Drakensberg is a wonderland of woodlands, forests, lakes and rivers, all set against the dramatic backdrop of this mountain range.  Several nature reserves fall into the area and protect a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some rare antelope species and, at Kamberg, a network of beautiful hiking trails lead to caves decorated with ancient Khoisan art. Trout thrive in the region’s reservoirs and waterways, making it a magnet for fly-fishermen, while horse riding and mountain biking are also popular pursuits in this scenic part of the world. 

The ultimate highlight of the Southern Drakensberg, however, is the Sani Pass, which – at almost 3,000 metres above sea level – is South Africa’s highest pass, leading all the way to the Lesotho border and offering magnificent vistas along the way.  (ITT)