For the Tourism Trade and Visitors to the Drakensberg
![]() Autumn 2022
Copyright: Cathkin Booking and Management Services
Drakensberg Crag Lizard (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Autumn - Drakensberg's kaleidoscope…observe how a landscape changes from dark hues of green to a broad spectrum of red, yellow, orange and red. The perfect season for adventure...warm, clear days and cool, clear nights. The time to sip red wine and hot chocolate...it is the time of the Easter holidays. Mesmerizing. "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower" – Albert Camus This edition includes overviews of:
The Drakensberg Crag LizardPseudocordylus subviridis, is endemic to South Africa and mainly found in the Midlands and Drakensberg regions of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a significant lizard of some 25 centimetres. Their skulls are highly pliable, enabling them to wedge themselves in cracks as a defence mechanism. They also have very scaly tails. The Crag Lizard's lower abdomen has a distinctive yellow colour. They also give birth to live young. Their diet comprises beetles and other insects. A close relative of the Drakensberg Crag Lizard is the Lang's Crag Lizard, which is only found at altitudes of 2,700 meters and more in the Drakensberg and Lesotho. The Adventurous Nature of the Central and Northern DrakensbergThe Central and Northern Drakensberg has evolved from a region offering an assortment of adventurous activities to a professional centre of such services. The Drakensberg is now a South African epicentre of adventure tourism. These pursuits range from hiking, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, trail running, zip-lining, white river tubing and horse trails to some new or novel activities for South Africans such as a cable trail and Scootours. The following table provides a list of these operators and some of the experiences they offer:
Drakensberg PhotographersJacques CraffordJacques Crafford is an acclaimed South African visual artist and travel filmmaker. His masterpieces include 'This is South Africa', 'Tourism Turkey' and 'Patagonia Landscape', His 'Drakensberg Amphitheatre' is a sensational introduction to the Drakensberg. His scenes of the Mnweni Valley in 'This is South Africa' are equally spectacular. Jacques is also committed to fine still photography, and he has captured many memorable Drakensberg scenes. Additionally, he has been one of the early adopters of 'reels' for tourism destination promotion. Reels are 15-second video clips that capture a tourism experience. These are very popular with Gen Z, and Millenials who want information in a concise and impactful format. Finally, he actively shares his abilities through online training videos on his website and workshops.
Hlathikulu Forest HikeThis is an easy hike of some nine kilometres in total. The duration is approximately three hours. Start at Monks Cowl Camp and follow the cairns marked Mkhulumane Rock and Hlathikulu Forest. Cross the Sterkspruit River and ascend to a cairn that shows the route onto Mkulumani Rock and left to Hlathikhulu Forest. Continue along the path. You will encounter a magnificent forest and a route back down to the river and Monks Cowl Camp. Alternatively, follow the route to Nandi Falls, cross the Sterkspruit River at the point marked 1 on the following map and up to the Hlathikulu Forest marked 2 and then onto Monks Cowl Camp. Please note that various sources spell this forest's name differently - Hlathikhulu, Hlathikulu, Hlatikhulu and Hlatikulu.
Hiking Tips Sign 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 to a small grove of trees as quickly as possible 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.
Hideski OrganixYou can't but love Collette's delightfully wicked smile, her quick wit, honesty and no-nonsense attitude. Collette is the owner of Hideski Organix and is one of 'the Valley's most colourful characters. Hideski Organix is the supplier of the finest hides in the Drakensberg, as well as other leather goods and 'memorabilia'. So, if you are in the market for a quality and guaranteed hide. You will not be disappointed. Location - Cedarwood Shopping Centre, Cathkin Park (Champagne Valley). FaceBook Some new perspectives of the Drakensberg SanA range of excellent research papers have been published over the past ten years regarding Drakensberg's San. Some examples of these findings are: Recent archaeological excavations have revealed that the San and their ancestors were skilled freshwater fishermen. Large middens of fish bones have been discovered in shelters in Lesotho (Plug & Mitchell). The previously held view that San raided cattle for survival was perhaps simplistic. Recent analyses of San Rock art, particularly the Amatola, have revealed that sophisticated, creolized bands sometimes undertook these raids. Raiding cattle by the San provided them with a reliable food source and helped them to build relationships with Nguni and Sotho tribes (Smith) Didima Gorge has the most significant concentration of San rock art in the Drakensberg and South Africa. This array represents approximately ten percent of these paintings in these mountains or just over 3,900 examples. eSibayeni Cave, Botha's Shelter and Junction Shelter have most of this art. Eland's Cave, which is on the periphery of the Gorge, is the site with the next most significant concentration. However, more importantly, the shelters of the Didima Gorge have a prevalence of frescos with figurines and therianthropes in ritual like scenes. (Mazel, 2011 & 2022). eSibayeni Shelter Mazel believes that Didima Gorge was the site of many rituals as a result of its excellent acoustics. Therianthropes eSibayeni Shelter Didima Gorge Berg Air a vibrant lifestyle centreBerg Air is a remarkable success story in the Catkin Park area of the Drakensberg. This centre of gastronomic and lifestyle delights is the result of the tenacity and innovativeness of the Scharf family and exceptional tenants. Established in the latter half of 2017 with three anchor services, Berg Air has grown into a substantial tourism venue. The offering now includes:
Zimela CeramicsThe Drakensberg is fortunate to have many outstanding artists and crafters. Zimela Ceramics is an exceptional example. Victor Shabala, an artist who Ardmore trained, established it. He, however, continued his work in the Central Drakensberg when Ardmore moved its workshop and gallery to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Victor has trained his team of ceramists who create magnificent art pieces for collectors and art galleries. These ceramics reflect rich coloured wildlife themes. They take on many forms from centrepieces, sculptures, vases, platters, teapots, etc. Zimela Ceramics has a gallery at the Cedarwood Shopping Centre in Cathkin Park or the Champagne Valley. Their workshop is based in Loskop at the Children's Village, on the Injisuthi Clinic Road. Easily accessed from the Loskop Road (P10-1), some five kilometres from Thokozisa. See their FaceBook page or email at zimeleceramics@gmail.com.
Drakensberg Events in the Central and Northern DrakensbergEvery Saturday morning, Winterton Park Run from the Waffle Hut starting at 08.00 Cathkin Park Community Projects Run takes place on the last Friday of the month at 17.00 at Drakensberg Brewery at Berg Air Complex 2022 24-27 March: KTM Rally at Champagne Sports Resort.
26th Mar: Farmers Lawn Market .Amy 0824647803 SANBS donation 28th -April: - 1st May Music in the Mountains www.dbchoir.com. 7 May: Mweni Mountain Run www.kzntrailrunning.co.za 14th-15th May: Yellow-billed Oxpecker Trail Run www.theoxpecker.co.za 21st – 22nd May: Red-billed Oxpecker Trail Run www.theoxpecker.co.za 28th – 29th May African Oxpecker Trail Run www.theoxpecker.co.za 14th – 16th June: The Berg and Bush Tour www.bergandbush.co.za 18th - 19 June The Berg and Bush 2 Day www.bergandbush.co.za 24th – 26th June: The Berg and Bush Descent www.bergandbush.co.za 25th June: Drakensberg Polar Bear Swim Challenge at 12noon at Dragon Peaks. Contact Belinda 0837737450 30th July: L O C K K Riders at Winterton Country Club. Jess 0826000258 2nd – 3rd Sept: The Berg Show at Winterton Country Club. Joanine 082856368 8th Oct: Blommevrou at Cathedral Peak Wine Estate Eldri 0829086517 16-18th Dec: Lube and Tube Amy 0824647803 lubeandtubewinterton@gmail.com Source - Ann Gray Drakensberg's Tourism MarketThe Central and Northern Drakensberg has several major resorts that accommodate over 100 guests and a significant concentration of smaller self-catering, B&B's, lodges and Guest Houses. Easily accessed from this region's 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 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 who self-drive to the area. They tend to be couples or family groups. There are the occasional conference and incentive groups 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). Attracted to the area for hiking and other adventure opportunities, such as zip-lining, hot air ballooning and helicopter flips. According to South African Tourism, some 65,000 foreign tourists visit the Drakensberg annually. 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 estimated 47,000 visited this area in 2016. The nature of this market can be assumed to be 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 annually. The key markets are the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The overall Drakensberg tourism market is worth in the order of a billion Rand per annum.
Drakensberg's Weather Charts
Drakensberg Tourism DirectoryDownload the Drakensberg Experience Map Adventure Operators Active Escape All Out Adventures Berg Adventures Cathkin Trails for Mountain Bikers Drakensberg Ballooning Drakensberg Canopy Tours Drakensberg Hikes Drakensberg Mountain Bike Trails Dragon Peaks Resort Four Rivers Adventures Hike The Berg Leap 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 Mac'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 Four Rivers Kabbo Burger Factory 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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