Category: Uncategorised

Click on the following link for the Winter 2023 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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. Drakensberg News. A Drakensberg Newsletter.

Contents

Drakensberg Porcupines – or Hystrix africaeaustralis are gentle and friendly rodents; however, they won’t hesitate to turn and push their dangerous quills into threatening beings;

Newcastle, doorstep to the Northern Drakensberg. Newcastle is a fascinating gateway to an important portion of the Northern Drakensberg.

When Champagne Castle was Cathkin Peak, Champagne Castle, South Africa’s third-highest peak, was initially and in the late 1800s known as Cathkin Peak.

Tree Fuchsia is usually a small tree of two metres and is common in the Montane vegetation belt of the Drakensberg. However, these trees can reach up to twelve metres and sometimes more.

Carter Trail is a moderate hike that starts at the Champagne Castle Hotel.

The San’s Marauding Bandits. There is a romantic and commonly held notion that Drakensberg’s San was a peaceful and egalitarian community.

Site Map

 

Click on the following link for the Autumn 2023 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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. Drakensberg News. A Drakensberg Newsletter.

 

Contents

The Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon or Bradypodium dracomontanum is a tiny ‘fellow’ of some 12 to 14 centimetres.

The evolution of the shamanistic or neuropsychological model for interpreting San rock art

Children’s Activities in the Drakensberg

Drakensberg Trees – Natal Bottlebrush

Steilberg Hike. The Steilberg Hike is a challenging hike that starts at either Monks Cowl Camp or Bergview.

Drakensberg’s vegetation belts

Site Map

Click on the following link for Summer 2022/ 2023 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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. Drakensberg News. Drakensberg Newsletter.

Contents

Drakensberg Rockjumper

The Drakensberg Rockjumper or Orange-breasted Rockjumper is endemic to South Africa.

The origin of the San

Recent genetic research undertaken by the University of Pretoria shows that modern man or Homo Sapiens Sapiens may have originated from the Okavango and Zambezi Basin areas in Southern Africa. However, archaeologists also concur that Homo Sapiens originated in Eastern or Southern Africa.

Lutheran Mission Stations of the Central Drakensberg – Emmaus

The Berlin Missionary Society (BMS) was a German Protestant or Lutheran Christian missionary society that was constituted on 29 February 1824 by Prussian nobles.

Drakensberg Trees – Outhout

Ouhout or Old Wood (Leucosidea sericea) is a common small tree or shrub found in the Lower Drakensberg. The trunk and branches are rough or gnarled and reddish brown.

Brandwag Buttress Hike

The Brandwag Buttress Hike is in the Golden Gate National Park. This circular route hike starts at the park’s main camp, Glen Reenen. Follow the signposts and ascend the buttress to the lookout point.

Drakensberg’s grasslands

One of the most important ecological features of the Drakensberg is its grasslands. The Drakensberg grasslands are among the most extensive ecosystems or floral kingdoms in Southern Africa.

 

Click on the following link for the Spring 2022 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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 Butterflies

The Drakensberg is a paradise for the ‘Butterfly Spotter’ or Lepidopterists. Observe many of South Africa’s estimated 801 butterfly types or taxa in this region.

Dating Drakensberg San Rock Art

Archaeologists use a fascinating technique known as Carbon-14 dating to determine the age of artefacts they discover on an ‘archaeological dig’.

Drakensberg’s Basket Weavers

Basket Weaving is an art practised skillfully by many Zulu-speaking women in the Drakensberg. It is a tradition handed down from generation to generation.

Mike’s Pass Hike

Follow one of two routes to reach the top of Mike’s Pass. The first starts at the Didima Reception or from Cathedral Peak Hotel and follows a path more or less perpendicular to these venues.

The Paperbark Acacia

Acacia trees are an iconic symbol of Africa. The Paperbark Acacia or Vachellia sieberiana welcomes tourists as they enter the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and lowlands of the Drakensberg.

The Rock Art Research Institute

The Rock Art Research Institute of the University of Witwatersrand is one of the leading research institutes for rock art research.

Sterkspruit Waterfall Viewing Site

Under Roy Strydom’s leadership, the Monks-Cowl Honorary Officer Group recently helped restore the Sterkspruit Falls Viewing Site. Sterkspruit Falls is the most leisurely walk in the Monks Cowl Camp area of Central Drakensberg.

Click on the following link for the Winter 2022 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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. Drakensberg News. A Drakensberg Newsletter.

 

Contents

Drakensberg Frogs

The Drakensberg has a fascinating community of frogs. Frogs are the only amphibians that are found in this region.

Drakensberg’s Geology

An extended period of sedimentation, volcanic flow, massive continental upliftment and ultimately, the erosion of the thick volcanic cap of basalt defined the geology of the Drakensberg.

The gastronomic delights of the Drakensberg

Visitors to the Drakensberg are never disappointed by the vast array of coffee shops, pubs, eateries and caterers in this region.

Drakensberg photographer – Gareth Roberts

Gareth Roberts is a Howick-based professional photographer and traveller. He is renowned for his images of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Drakensberg.

Battle Cave Hike

This walk is one of Drakensberg’s most fascinating hikes as it includes a visit to the Battle Cave shelter, just below the Lower Injisuthi Cave and just after the turn to Fergy’s Cave.

The Drakensberg Cycad

The Drakensberg Cycad is a living fossil that has existed for some 250 million years.

Mazel’s critical contribution to the study of the Drakensberg San

Aron Mazel is one of the more recent theorists that has written extensively regarding the Drakensberg San. He worked for many years as an archaeologist in South Africa.

Click on the following link for Autumn 2022 edition of Drakensberg Times. Drakensberg 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. Drakensberg News. Drakensberg Newsletter.

Contents

Drakensberg Crag Lizard

Pseudocordylus 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.

The adventurous nature of the Central and Northern Drakensberg

The Central and Northern Drakensberg has evolved from a region offering an assortment of adventurous activities to a professional centre of such services.

Drakensberg photographer – Jacques Crafford

Jacques Crafford is an acclaimed South African visual artist and travel filmmaker. His masterpieces include ‘This is South Africa’, ‘Tourism Turkey’ and ‘Patagonia Landscape’.

Hlathikulu Hike

This is an easy hike of some nine kilometres in total. The duration is approximately three hours.

HideSki Organix

You can’t but love Collette’s delightfully wicked smile, quick wit, honesty and no-nonsense attitude. Collette is the owner of Hideski Organix and is one of ‘the Valley’s most colourful characters.

Some new perspectives of the Drakensberg San

A range of excellent research papers have been published over the past ten years regarding Drakensberg’s San.

Berg Air a vibrant lifestyle centre

Berg 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.

Zimela Ceramics

The 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.

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.

 

INTRODUCTION

Click on the following link for Summer 2020 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

Firstly, Drakensberg Felines.

The Drakensberg has a magnificent array of felines. This array ranges from the regal Caracal to the Serval, African Wild Cat and the elusive Leopard. This newsletter provides an overview of these cats.

Secondly what to do on a rainy day in the Drakensberg

Moreover, In the steps of the San – The meaning of certain elements in their rock art.

This is a continuation of a series of articles regarding the Drakensberg San.

The Injisuthi, Loskop and Ntabahlope Communities

Loskop and Ntabahlope are two of the most substantial communities in the Central Drakensberg. They fall within the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality (KZN237). The area bordering on the Injisuthi Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Camp also includes a crucial traditional council area, namely the Amangwaan.

Injisuthi is also one of the remotest and unspoilt camps in the Drakensberg and entrances to the Ukahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage site.

Drakensberg Photographers – Mike Morgan

This is the first of a series of articles that introduces some of the renowned photographers of the Drakensberg. Mike has a rare ability to capture the magnificence of sunrise.

What happened to the San of the Drakensberg

There is a widespread belief that the San were exterminated. However, this belief is now discounted, and it is accepted that they were decimated, assimilated and some ‘emigrated’.

Sunset Trail

A popular trail that skirts the edge of Cathkin Park’s Matterhorn

SOME KEY TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN TAKING A WALK OR LONGER HIKE.

LASTLY, A DIRECTORY OF TOURISM SERVICES IN THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG.

SITE MAP