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For the Tourism Trade and Visitors to the Drakensberg
 Autumn 2021
Copyright: Cathkin Booking and Management Services
Welcome to the latest edition of Berg Times a mobile-friendly e-newsletter aimed at keeping the tourism trade and visitors to the Northern and Central Drakensberg informed about this spectacular region. Autumn regarded as one of the best, if not the most memorable season of the year to visit the Drakensberg. It is the time of weddings, perfect weather for hiking and a range of special events in this area. The days are warm and sunny. There is very seldom and any likelihood of rain and the evenings are cool enough to light a log fire in one of the many accommodation establishments and enjoy a good glass of local red wine. These beautiful mountain’s scenery changes from a dark lush green to spectacular hues of red, yellow and brown. Sunsets are spectacular with the full spectrum of yellow, orange, red and purple on display. The night sky also puts on an exceptional array of stars and planets due to the crisp and crystal-clear skies. As mentioned earlier, Autumn is the perfect time to hike in this area. The Northern and Central Drakensberg has one of the greatest concentrations of hiking trails in Africa. In this edition, as has been the case in the previous edition, a specific hike is highlighted. In this case, the Makhulamane Rock Hike.
Autumn in the Drakensberg (Source: Tourism KwaZulu-Natal) Other articles in this edition include: - Drakensberg's Red List birds; - Willcox's passion for San Rock Art; - The Culfargie and Bell Park Community; and - Drakensberg's Tourism Market.
Drakensberg's Red List BirdsThe Drakensberg has some 18 birds on Birdlife South Africa's Red List' of these three are critically endangered and six endangered. The critically endangered birds are the Wattle Crane and Bearded Vulture.
Wattled Crane (Source: Pixabay) The endangered birds include the Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, Black Harriet, Secretarybird and Cape Vulture.
Cape Vulture (Source: Nick Kwan Unsplash) The other birds on the 'Red List' are: - Verreaux's (Black) Eagle; - Striped Flufftail; - Half-collared Kingfisher; - White-bellied Korhaan (Bustard); - Short-tailed Pipit; - Yellow-breasted Pipit; - Drakensberg Rockjumper; - Gurney's Sugarbird; - Black Stork; and - Ground Woodpecker. Several initiatives exist in the Central and Drakensberg to protect the 'Red List' birds. The most notable being, firstly, 'Vulture Restaurants'. Vulture Restaurants are bird hides where poison-free animal carcasses are placed. These facilities contribute to the survival of these birds. The most significant of these hides is the hide at Bergview estate driven by Roy Strydom, the Chairman of the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Honoury Officer team for Monks Cowl. A Vulture Count is held on the first Saturday closest to the 5 September, 'World Vulture Awareness Day'. Some 9 Bearded Vultures and 500 Cape Vultures were counted at the 'Bergview restaurant' in 2020. This tally was the most significant count in the Drakensberg and represented a substantial increase on previous counts. A significant achievement! Secondly, Monks Cowl and Surrounds Southern Ground Hornbill Monks Cowl Forum. This initiative is a Whats App Forum that monitors a well-known Southern Ground Hornbill family and other groups in the Cathkin Park or 'Champagne Valley' area. Members provide 'dropped pins' of their sightings and photos of this rare bird. This is an important case study of the movement and behavioural patterns of this hornbill.
Drakensberg PhotographersCarl 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.
Carl holds regular workshops and guided photographic tours. He recently settled in Hampshire in the United Kingdom. He is a former student of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a scholar of Pinetown High School.
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. From Monks Cowl follow the path and signs to Makhulumani Rock. Cross the Sterkspruit River until you meet a junction at the co-ordinates -29.04022 and 29.39365. Turn left up a path that meanders up a small valley and stream. You will encounter the large 'monolith' Makhulumani, breathtaking forests, waterfalls, and a steep section of wooden ladders that takes you to the top of this valley.
Hiking TipsSign the mountain rescue register; Wear sturdy hiking boots and carry a walking pole; Wear a light rucksack even in the case of a walk; Ensure it contains food items for at least one day, warm clothing and a poncho (the weather in the Berg can change suddenly), sufficient water, a small medical aid kit, a cell phone, map, torch, whistle and a box of matches; and ideally a bivy bag; In case you encounter a bushfire try to get as quickly as possible to a small grove of trees or light a fire break around you. At worst run directly through the fire and roll; If caught in a lightning storm, urgently head for a forest. At worst squat over a piece of insulating material and ideally cover your self with a poncho or raincoat. Discard any metal items and leave your backpack a distance from you. Do not lie down or stand under an isolated tree; and Walk-in a group of at least three persons.
Willcox's passion for San Rock Art
A.R. Willcox 1911 to 1993 (Source: The Willcox Family) The late Alexander Robert Willcox contributed substantially to San Rock Art documentation in the Central Drakensberg, the rest of this region and South Africa. He was a Quantity Surveyor by profession, but spent as much of his spare time as possible hiking to and reporting on San and other forms of rock art. He was the first researcher to record rock art in South Africa through colour photography. His love for rock art began when he joined the mountain club of South Africa and whilst he plied his profession in Johannesburg. He was one of the founding members of the South African Rock Art Research Association. His view regarding the literal interpretation of San Rock Art is highly regarded.
He retired to the Central Drakensberg and 'Round The Bend', now the 'Dingaans Retreat' complex, at the early age of sixty to pursue his passion of recording rock art. He passed under tragic circumstances in 1993. His son, Dave and daughter, Sandy, fondly remember taking part in these excursions and meeting with other renowned individuals such as the Pagers. This couple is famous for their recordings of the rock art of the Didima Gorge or Ndedema, the title of their much sort after publication of their paintings of these frescos. A.R Willcox's books are now collector's items: - The Drakensberg Bushmen and Their Art, 1990; - Footprints on a Southern Land, 1988; - Building of the Berg, 1987; - Great River: the story of the Orange River. Winterton: Drakensberg, 1986; - Shipwreck and Survival on the South East Coast of Africa, 1984; - The Rock Art of Africa, 1984; - Southern Land: The Prehistory And History Of Southern Africa, 1976; - The Archaeology of the Drakensberg Region of Natal, 1975; - Rock paintings of the Drakensberg, Natal and Griqualand East, 1973; - The Rock Art of South Africa, 1963; and - Rock Paintings of the Drakensberg, 1956. Additionally, he published a wide range of scientific papers a list of these is available at https://dokumen.tips/documents/obituary-alexander-robert-willcox-1911-1993.html. The Culfargie and Bell Park CommunityCulfargie is one of the most significant 'camps' or conservation areas in the Central Drakensberg. Culfargie and the residents on its border and Bell Park Dam form an important community. This community includes an important component of the AmaSwaZi Traditional Tribal Authority.
Bell Park Dam is a well-known fishing destination attraction. The area surrounding it is also an essential provider of tourism accommodation. The Cayley Lodge Resort and many well established B&B's such as Bell Park B&B and self-catering facilities are found in this area. The Bell Park Dam was part of the Killen's Farm Bell Park, which was expropriated some 30 years ago. This dam was officially opened on 11 April 1986 The Killen family continue to farm in the area and operate Bell Park B&B.
The D53 accesses this area from the R600 and D277.
Drakensberg's Tourism MarketThe Central and Northern Drakensberg has several major resorts that accommodate well more than 100 guests and a significant concentration of smaller self-catering, B&B's, lodges and Guest Houses. These are easily accessed from this regions core markets, namely Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. This area is a drive of about four hours from Gauteng and two and a half hours from Durban. It is possible to fly into Pietermaritzburg and cut down the driving time into this destination. The Drakensberg is positioned at the consolidation or mature stage of Butler's Tourism Area Lifecycle model in terms of domestic tourism, and the exploration phase with respect to the foreign market. The domestic market is mainly made up of leisure holiday tourists that self-drive to the area. They tend to be couples or family groups. There are the occasional conference and incentive group that visit the area. Particularly to resorts such as Champagne Sports Resort, Alpine Heath and Drakensberg Sun. These are the 'Well-to-do Mzansi Families', 'Spontaneous Budget Explorers' and 'Seasoned Leisure Seekers'. Foreign tourists are predominantly self-drive young and middle age adventure seekers (Next Stop South Africa's and Wanderlusters from the Millennial and Generation X groupings). They are attracted to the area for hiking and other adventure opportunities such as ziplining, hot air ballooning and helicopter flips. According to South African Tourism, some 65,000 foreign tourists visit the Drakensberg on an annual basis. This segment is approximately 8% of the foreign tourists that visit KwaZulu-Natal and 1% of all foreign tourists to South Africa. This portion seems to be a growing market as some 47,000 were estimated to visit this area in 2016. It can be assumed that the nature of this market is in line with the foreign makeup of the KwaZulu-Natal overseas tourism market that predominantly comes from the UK, Germany, USA and France. Tourism KwaZulu-Natal has determined that some 186,000 domestic tourists visit the Drakensberg on an annual basis. The key markets being the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Drakensberg's Weather Charts
Drakensberg Tourism Directory
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Adventure Operators Active Escape All Out Adventures Berg Adventures Cathkin Trails for Mountain Bikers Drakensberg Ballooning Drakensberg Hikes Drakensberg Mountain Bike Trails Dragon Peaks Resort Four Rivers Adventures Scootours The Northern Horse Ushaka Horse Trails Westline Aviation Battlefield Sites Bloukrans Doornkop Laager site Rensburgskop Battlefield Siege of Ladysmith (various) Thukela Heights (Various) Willow Grange Winston Churchill Capture Site Zaailaager / Saailaager B&Bs Alkamia B&B At Home Bell Park B&B and S/C Bingelela Restaurant / Pizzeria & B&B Cathkin Cottage B&B Easby B&B Itumeleng B&B Bergville Nzima B&B Tugela Fall B&B Backpackers Amphitheatre Backpackers Drakensberg Bush Lodge Inkosana Lodge Booking Agencies & Tour Operators Africa Ignite Berg Adventures Cathkin Booking & Management Services Cathkin Park Reservations Golf got you Ron Gold Historical Tours Camping & Caravanning Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort Monks Cowl Camp Royal Natal Camp Injisuthi Camp Coffee Shops & Restaurants Ady's Coffee Shop Berg Air Lifestyle Centre Bingelela Restaurant / Pizzeria & B&B Canaan Coffee & Gifts Canaan Coffee & Gifts Chefs Junction Chocolate Memories Chocolate Memories Drakensberg Brewery Pig & Plough Scrumpy Jack Farmstall The Coffee Patch The Griller Restaurant Thokozisa Restaurant Valley Bakery Waffle Hut Conference Venues Alpine Heath Alpine Heath ATKV Drakensville Resort ATKV Drakensville Resort Cathedral Peak Hotel Champagne Castle Hotel Champagne Sport Resort Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort Little Switzerland Hotel Sandford Park Country Hotel The Nest Hotel Wits End Mountain Resort Craft Shops BergAir Cedarwood Village Shopping Centre Chocolate Memories Farm Friends Farmstall KwaZulu-Natal Weavers Sandra's se Winke; The Oaks Supermarket The Outspan Thokozisa Game Reserves/ Conservation Areas Kwaggashoek Game Ranch Slievyre Game Farm Spionkop Nature Reserve Weenen Nature Reserve Zulu Waters Game Reserve The Drakensberg World Heritage Site Golf Hlalanathi Berg Resort Champagne Sports Resort Cathedral Peak Hotel Monks Cowl Golf Resort Guest Houses Ashtonville Terraces Guesthouse Monte Vista The Riverhouse Lodges, Hotels & Resorts Alpine Heath Ardmore Guest Farm Blue Haze Country Lodge Cathedral Peak Hotel Champagne Castle Hotel Champagne Sports Resort Cheetah Ridge Lodge Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort Esiweni Lodge Ezulwini Berg Resort Hlalanathi Berg Resort Inkungu Lodge Kwaggashoek Game Ranch Little Switzerland Hotel Mackaya Bella Lodge Monks Cowl Golf Resort Montusi Mountain Lodge Sandford Park Country Hotel Spionkop Lodge The Cavern Resort & Spa The Nest Hotel Museums Ladysmith Sandra se Winkel Winterton Other Attractions Cathedral Peak Wine Estate Dragon Rock Reptile Centre Drakensberg Boys Choir School Drakensberg Brewery Falcon Ridge Raptor Centre H and D Honey Products Public San Rock Art Sites Injisuti Camp, guided tour to Battle Cave Self-Catering Accommodation at Trek Trips & Trails Alpine Heath Alpine Heath Ama Casa Self-catering Cottages Amphitheatre Backpackers ATKV Drakensville Resort Bell Park B&B and S/C Birdsong Cottages Celtis cottage Champagne Cottages Champagne Lane Resort Champagne Valley Resort Dalmore Guest Farm Didima Camp Drakensberg Dream Cottages Drakensberg Hikes Drakensview S/C Fernwood Shareblock (Pty) Ltd Giants Castle Camp Glenside Farmhouse Goodhope Country Escape Graceland Self-Catering Cottages Hill Billy Cottages Ihophe(Turtle Dove) Ihophe(Turtle Dove) iKhaya Lodge Ikhayamalafu Mountain Hideaway Ikhunzi Cave Ledges Retreat Little Acres Linglela Lodge Nambiti House Oak Cottage Ondini Guest House Ouma se Opstal Peak View Cottage Pumeleni River Crossing Rockwood Earth Lodge Slievyre Game Farm Sungubala Eco Camp Tendele/ Royal Natal Vultures View Wits End Spas Alpine Heath Champagne Castle Hotel Champagne Sports Resort Monks Cowl Golf Resort Spoilt Green Eco-Spa The Nest Hotel To change your subscription, click here.
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