Ultimate Drakensberg Experience

Your Journey

This itinerary is designed to showcase the very best of South Africa’s Northern Drakensberg, one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in the world. Towering basalt cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and sweeping valleys set the stage for days filled with hiking, exploration, and connection. The Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls, Mahai Valley, and Cathedral Peak are not just trails — they are gateways into breathtaking wilderness, where each step deepens your bond with nature and with fellow travellers.

Throughout the journey, the focus is on immersive mountain experiences: wild camping on the escarpment, swimming in natural pools, and watching the sunrise from the top of the world. These moments of shared adventure foster camaraderie and a spirit of discovery, making the trip as much about bonding and belonging as it is about the landscapes themselves.

To balance the adventure, your final days are spent on safari in Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a malaria-free sanctuary teeming with wildlife. Here, the pace slows and the focus shifts from mountains to savanna, where morning and evening game drives bring you face-to-face with Africa’s iconic Big 5.

The combination of rugged hiking and restorative safari creates a journey that is both energising and grounding — an experience of South Africa that will leave you inspired long after you return home

This transformative journey through the Drakensberg Mountains and Nambiti Game Reserve will be guided by Dineo Dowd, a passionate author, outdoor enthusiast, and community advocate whose roots are deeply tied to the landscapes you’ll explore.

Dineo grew up in the shadow of the Drakensberg — a place she fondly calls her “childhood backyard.” Although she only discovered its trails and peaks later in life, that experience ignited a lifelong mission: to share the joy of nature and culture with others. Today, she designs and leads adventures that go beyond travel, creating experiences that are restorative, empowering, and deeply connected to place.

As the founder of Wisconsin Adventure Family and the author of nine children’s books about the outdoors, Dineo is as much a storyteller as she is an explorer. She has summited Mount Kilimanjaro three times and was nominated as one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders in recognition of her commitment to community and representation.

On this journey, Dineo will accompany you every step of the way — from mountain summits to wild camping, cultural encounters, and safari evenings under the stars. Her energy, warmth, and love for the Drakensberg will make this trip not just a holiday, but an unforgettable adventure of learning, connection, and inspiration