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Drakensberg Travel Blogs

Background: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

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By marhug
July 27th 2009

Cape Town to Kruger NP Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

last minute fixes

The Great White Toyota hunting tour - arriving in Cape Town and getting to the Kruger Park Well, we’re now more than 2 weeks into this African journey and have spent 2 days in Cape Town getting our truck (Toyota 4x4) sussed, signed over to us, packed and on the road, 6 days travelling to the north end of the Kruger Park (averaging 700 k/day) and 8 days in the park coming south peering at every bush and clump of grass and avoiding elephant dung so as to not crush the beetles (averaging 20 k/hr) and dropped Jennifer at the J’burg [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 20th 2009

Sixth, Seven & Eighth day in the Mountains Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

June 20, 21, 22 For the past two days it has been cold and both Chris and I were walking around with closed up noses and feeling a bit off, so we have spent our days tucked under the blankets with boozing medicine. On 21 June we decided to try out the Pizzaria that we heard about and took a drive to the Tower of Pizza. We had the most fantastic pizza that I tasted in a long time. All the pizza names have been named after the different peaks found in the mountain range. Very original. They had shovels made [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 19th 2009

Fifth day in the Mountains Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

Cascades

June 19, 2009 We woke up to unpleasant weather, it was freezing outside and we had no intention to get out of bed in weather like that. So we watched Pirates of the Caribbean. When the movie finished we came outside to see that the day has turned out to be perfect, and packed some lunch to go do some hiking. We went on the Gudu Falls trail, and I think both our lungs was about to pop out, the steep incline we had to pass was ready to kill us. We frequently stopped to catch our breath which sounded like [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 18th 2009

Fourth day in the Mountains Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

Internet Cafe

June 18, 2009 The morning we sat in front of the laptops, checking emails, and Chris edited some pics. We are so glad that there are some 3G available here. It keeps us in touch with the rest of the world. Well today we had to run some errands. We had to go to town to get some more supplies and then get the car checked out. So we went into the small town of Bergville. It is a bit of a one horse town. We went to the SPAR for food, and then had to go to the KFC for [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 17th 2009

Third day in the mountains Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

The Cascades

June 17, 2009 We woke up this morning after a peaceful sleep with rain softly on the tent roof. It is even more chilly today, Chris gave one of the workers the dishes from last night, and figure the R15 we pay is much better than washing it ourselves. He gets right back into bed and we finish Die Hard, which we didn’t manage to finish last night. We then decide it would be a good idea to drive to the closest town to pickup some supplies and to get the Landie checked out. But as we are on our way [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 16th 2009

Second Day in the Mountain Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

A cloudy day

June 16, 2009 We woke up to see what the damage was after a night of heavy winds. But we were lucky, no damage done. Almost everyone in the campsite is packing up and going home, I cant describe the feeling of knowing you still have a week when everyone else will go back to work. It is rather cold and miserable. The clouds are heavy and I excpct it will rain sometime today. Our energy levels were low and we had no plan to do any kind of hiking, so instead we sit and play on the net, yet again. [View Full Entry]

By Lanza and Xriss
June 15th 2009

First day in the mountains Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

Our Pozzie

June 15, 2009 What a beautiful morning, we were warm and we were still here. Chris is eager to see the mountains, and pops out the tent as soon as his eyes open. There are plenty campers in the campsite, and we get dressed in our warmest clothes. We start putting the rest of our camping gear up and make it home. When all is done we make a nice breakfast with some mutton sausages and semi toasted bread with cheese. It is so good and we finish off everything. We drive to the info centre to get some necessities and [View Full Entry]

By Lynni
May 27th 2009

Party-shopping in Harrismith Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

Yea!! Got a night booked in Qwantani when the course finishes, a kind of goodbye party as well for me and James and Maria in a way as well, we're all leaving round about the same time, but this is prolly the last chance we'll have with most folk to enjoy it. Kina sucks you have to start saying goodbye like a month in advance!! I know for a fact there's already people that I won't see again, it sucks!! So after last time, we hoyed it back to base and I read my paper :p apparently "Lynn" and "Ben" are [View Full Entry]

By Lynni
May 24th 2009

Waaaay the net is working again!! Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

Hey guys!! Currently at Qwantani, and the internet is down… total bummer!! Gunna save this and stick it up when I can :p So after last time, I braaied at the Boma night!! Was awesome. Spoke to my Roy, was falling asleep by that point though!! Sun (17th) - hoyed the handwash, it’s the most annoying thing ever, sitting rubbing clothes!! Managed to find a group rope, and made my own washing line away from the cows :p went for a walk with Iona and Natasha to solo valley, was nice - I’ve not laughed that much in a while, we [View Full Entry]

By Lynni
May 16th 2009

Close-Death Encounter!! Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg

...well, that's what it felt like!! Never experienced such ridiculously high winds while hanging off a cliff-face trying to tie ropes to hangers and the like!! The ropes actually wouldn't go down the cliff, I was throwing them and they actually came right back out to the side and nearly knocked me out :p good times!! Managed to fix it though, eventually, had to go to the bottom and free-climb back up a bit to grab them!! Annnyway, yea, I'm not actually in the Drakensberg (I wish!!) We're literally just outside them, we can see some of the mountanis though from [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » South Africa » Free State » Drakensberg