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For the Tourism Trade and Visitors to the Drakensberg
 Spring 2021
Copyright: Cathkin Booking and Management Services
Barn Swallows - a symbol of Spring (Source: Pixabay)
Spring is a spectacular season in the Drakensberg. The brown hues of this mountainous landscape are transformed into brilliant shades of green. Various plants bloom. Amongst them are the Bottlebrush and a range of proteas. Additionally, several bird species return from the north, including the Barn Swallow and Yellow Billed Kite. Furthermore, buck species such as the Eland move from the lower slopes of the Drakensberg to higher ground to enjoy the new grass sprouts of these areas. Spring is a perfect time to enjoy the wide range of outdoor activities in this region. The weather is warm and does not bring the heavy rain of summer. Tourists thus do not hesitate to make use of the many hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails that exist here. Additionally, they enjoy ziplining, hot air ballooning, a Scootour, white river tubing, or just sipping on a local draft beer or a cold glass of wine. The scenery is spectacular; you need to ‘take it in, and then you will come to grips with the slogan that has often been used to describe the Drakensberg as, ‘The Soul of the Zulu Kingdom’. Welcome to the Spring edition of ‘Berg Times’, an online publication that seeks to keep the tourism trade and potential tourists to this area informed about the majesty of the Central and Northern Drakensberg. This edition includes overviews of the:
The Barn SwallowOne of the most important signs of Drakensberg's Spring is the return of the Barn Swallow. This cheerful fellow is prolific in the open grasslands of this area. These swallows often use man-made structures for breeding, and their clay pebble nests are often seen under roof overhangs. Furthermore, they perch frequently on telephone lines, calling with a distinguished 'chirp'.
(Source: Pixabay) Barn Swallows have red faces, blue breast bands and brown-white underparts. They can reach lengths of 19 cm and have wingspans of as much as 30 cm. They are insectivores and are often seen in large numbers swooping onto flying insects. Drakensberg PhotographersJohn Hone
The late John Hone had a profound ability to capture the rugged nature of the Drakensberg in the finest detail. John was the managing director of Art Publishers. However, his inspiration was the Drakensberg. He spent decades photographing various scenes in this magnificent area. Arguably, his finest work is captured in the book 'Encounters with the Dragon'. This masterpiece documents over twenty years of his photography. It is a detailed account of the complex nature of this region.
Jacob's Ladder and Stable Cave HikeJacob’s Ladder and the Stable Cave Hike is one of the longer hikes undertaken from the Monks Cowl Camp. This trail can be undertaken in a day. However, it is recommended that hikers overnight at Stable Cave.
The duration of the hike is some ten hours and the total length some 20 kilometres. Take the route to Sterkspruit Falls, but cross the Mpofane River at the cairn marked four on the KZN Wildlife map for the area. Follow the way to the Hlatikhulu Forest and Makhulamane Rock. At the fork to the Hlatikhule Forest, follow the route to Makhulamane Rock. At the turn to Makhulamane Rock, carry straight ahead to Van Damm’s Cascade and Jacob’s Ladder. Be careful to fill up with water at Van Damm Cascade as there is no water on Jacob’s Ladder and very often none in Stable Cave. Ascend Jacob’s Ladder. At the top, turn right to an entrance in the fence. You will pass a spectacular sandstone overhang. Enjoy the magnificent views of the Valley below and Cape Vulture soaring overhead. The path turns to the right at a ‘V’ in this formation. The path then follows a series of zig-zags for a while and then a slight uphill. At the top of this hill, you will note that the trail forks to the left. Follow this fork along a ridge. Finally, you will note the opening to the Stable Cave shelter.
Stable Cave is a long sandstone overhang that can easily sleep up to twelve people. Enjoy the views of Cathedral Peak on the horizon.
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; If 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 yourself 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. The Multivocal Approach to interpreting San Rock ArtMultivocality or 'many voices'; is an approach to archaeological reasoning that encourages articulating numerous different theories when interpreting archaeological sites. Modern interpreters of San Rock art are increasingly analysing these frescos from both a literal and symbolic or ‘Shaministic’ perspective. Much San rock is clearly an actual representation of some wildlife or human activity, whereas others are more complex and appear to have symbolic meanings.
A San rock art hunting scene in a shelter near Geluksberg could be interpreted from a literal perspective. However, other scenes are clearly symbolic in nature. Drakensberg's Trees - The Mountain Cabbage Tree (Cussonia paniculata)
(Source Wikimedia Commons - Bernard du Pont) The Mountain Cabbage Tree or Bergkiepersol has a distinctive thick, waxy and leathery grey-green foliage that looks like large cabbages from a distance. They are easily recognised on the rocky slopes of the Drakensberg. The bark of this tree is grey and gnarled. The Mountain Cabbage Tree rarely exceeds 5 meters, possibly since it has to survive harsh winters and rugged landscapes. Umsengembuzi is often found at altitudes of some 2100 meters.
Drakensberg's Tourism MarketThe Central and Northern Drakensberg has several major resorts that accommodate 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 about a four hours drive 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 concerning 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-aged 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. The overall Drakensberg tourism market is worth in the order of a billion Rand per annum.
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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 Dragons View Lodge 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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Drakensberg Spring
