Month: February 2022

Click on the following link for Summer 2021/ 2022 edition of Berg Times. Berg Times is intended to keep the tourism trade aware of the latest developments in the Central and Northern Drakensberg. It is also useful for the general public.

Contents

Grey Rhebuck

Drakensberg’s most commonly noted antelope ranges across the entire area of this escarpment, particularly in its high lying grasslands.

Drakensberg photographer – Kierran Alenn

Kierran Alenn is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s prodigies of photography. He was one of the early creative and innovative adopters of drone footage.

Gatberg and Zulu Cave Hike

This is a moderate hike of some 26 kilometres in total. It is possible to complete this trail in a day; however, you need to be very fit to do so.

Dingaan’s Shelter

Dingaan’s Shelter is a good example of the many San rock art sites that are located in rock overhangs or caves in a sandstone ‘belt’ that runs across the length of the Central Drakensberg.

Bleek and Lloyd’s contribution to the interpretation of San Rock Art

Wilhelm Bleek and Lucy Lloyd composed one of the most comprehensive ethnographic accounts of the San of the late 1800s.

Tree fern

The Forest Tree Fern and Grassland Tree Fern are two of the most attractive trees frequently noted in the Drakensberg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the following link for the Winter 2021 edition of Berg Times. Berg Times is intended to keep the tourism trade aware of the latest developments in the Central and Northern Drakensberg. It is also useful for the general public.

CONTENTS

Drakensberg’s Eland

The Drakensberg is home to the second-largest antelope, the Common or Southern Eland. This magnificent creature is often seen on the slopes of this escarpment, especially in the Lotheni, Giants Castle and private estates in the Monk’s Cowl Camp area

Drakensberg photographers – Stephen Pryke

Stephen Pryke is one of South Africa’s most acclaimed photographers of nature and scenic beauty.

Thukela Gorge Hike

The Thukela Gorge Hike is one of Drakensberg’s ‘must do’ hikes and is perhaps its most well-known excursion.

The “Osborn” Trail

The Scharf family have established an exhilarating new guided trail on the Drakensberg Dream Estate. The trail features two San rock art sites and four magnificent waterfalls.

David Lewis-Williams’s spiritual interpretation of San Rock Art

Professor James David Lewis-Williams is regarded as one of the most prominent theorists concerning the meaning of San Rock Art.

Drakensberg’s Trees

Yellowwood is South Africa’s national tree. It is found extensively in the ravine or valley forests of the Drakensberg.

Farmers Lawn Market

The Farmers Lawn Market is Central Drakensberg’s first-ever permanent artisanal market located on Gourton corner on the R600 near Winterton.

 

Click on the following link for the Autumn 2021 edition of Berg Times. Berg Times is intended to keep the tourism trade aware of the latest developments in the Central and Northern Drakensberg. It is also useful for the general public.

Contents

Drakensberg’s Red List birds

The Drakensberg has some 18 birds on Birdlife South Africa’s Red List’ of these three are critically endangered and six endangered.

Drakensberg photographers – Carl Smorenberg

Carl Smorenberg is a renowned South African landscape photographer. He is an exceptionally passionate photographer of Drakensberg scenes and from the edge of this escarpment.

Makhulumane Rock Hike

The Makhulumani Rock hike is a moderate day hike of some four hours and nine kilometres. This hike begins at Monks Cowl Camp or Bergview Estate.

Willcox’s passion for San Rock Art;

The late Alexander Robert Willcox contributed substantially to San Rock Art documentation in the Central Drakensberg, the rest of this region and South Africa.

The Culfargie and Bell Park Community

Culfargie is one of the most significant ‘camps’ or conservation areas in Central Drakensberg. Culfargie and the residents on its border and Bell Park Dam form an important community.