Blogs from Northern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Africa

This is Africa - can you feel it? Can you touch it?

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg January 5th 2019

the start of the Tugela Falls on top of the Drakensberg

In every country we go, we associate a certain smell with it, a certain feeling. The air is different, the sky is different, the dust ist different (if there is any), water tastes different. Did not Desmond Tutu talk about this in his opening speech of the FIFA World Championship in 2010? He sais: "Can you feel it? Can you touch it? This is Africa." By visiting the Northern Drakensberg we had exactly this feeling: "this is Africa". It was the dust, the smell, the smiles of the superfriendly people, the joy of life, the joy of love which we experienced. And well, also this mindblowing, amazing landscape. Of course, the Drakensberg is just one facette of South Africa. But it was exactly here, int he beginning of our trip that we really got it: we ... read more

Markus climbing the chain ladders on the Sentinel Hike

sunset near the Highmoor National Reserve

Hiking in the Drakensburg mountains

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg October 7th 2016

AlexHodge

This post was written in 16th October as I didn't have internet acces on 7th October. Spent the day hiking in the beautiful mountain area near our camp. The views were amazing and me another member of the group even saw the hind legs of an Eland, which is a type of antelope.It is now quite rare. We saw an exotic looking cricket which played up for the cameras and seemed quite tame. We also saw bush art painted by the San people about 200 years before. It showed an antelope and people hunting it. For our evening meal our guide made some traditional 'Pap' which is very like polenta in taste and consistency. It was only tasty with some sauce with it!... read more

Arrival into South Africa and Drankensburg Mountains

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg October 6th 2016

IMG_3554

AlexHodge

This post was written on 16th October as I didn't have internet acces on the 6th October. It took two hours to go through passport control!Many people in front of me were worried that they were going to miss their connecting flight. Once I finally got through I then found out that some of out group of 16 had arrived and some were soon to arrive since we were all on different flights. One chap, Paul, was the only other member of the group to be on the same flight. We then met our guide Sidney who took us to a small hotel to wait for everyone to arrive. We finally left about noon and stopped at a wimpy for lunch. I'd never eaten in a wimpy before!! We then travelled through the Drakensburg mountains to ... read more

Drakensberg daydream

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg May 22nd 2016

Sunrise over the northern ranges

dirob

My feet were cold but my heart soared as I watched the sun rise over the Northern Drakensberg ranges from the patio of our room. Anywhere else in the world, such a view would cost half your holiday budget but in wonderful South Africa, it's completely affordable. The sun rose slowly over the panorama from left to right, colouring the peaks, crags and sheer rock walls in shades of rosy pink deepening to crimson. It highlighted the trees in their autumn foliage in glowing yellows and oranges. My mind played a string quartet, something sweet and almost tearful. Who needed the theatre when this live play was so absorbing, ever changing and beautiful? The mountains gained definition, shadows and features, and the woods and fields before them greened. The show was over for today. We passed ... read more

Day 10 + 11: Drakensbergen: The Mountains and Rain, and Rain and even more Rain.

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg November 11th 2014

Royal Natan. N.P.

Vlekkie

Drankensbergen, the place of the rural mountains. That's sounds great; a great place to discover. Too bad we were not able to doing so, thanks to Rain, and Rain and even more Rain. Did I mention we had much Rain? So no, know you know. Actually, this is no joke and it was not even funny. We had to pack our bags and in a hurry we were able to leave our camping space and the rain behind. It started so nice. In the Drakensbergen you still can find the old paintings of the San people, you have very good hiking trails, and the nature is beautiful over there. If you visit South-Africa, the Drakensbergen are a “must” on your list. Also, it was the last park that we would visit without “safari” (except the Panorama ... read more

Syd Africa - Drakenberg bjergene

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg October 15th 2013

P1000405

Niels Sandemann

På vej mod de smukke Dragenberg Bjerge - nogen må mene at det er sammenlignelig med "Little Switzerland"! Crossing Africa møder os mange fattige landsbyer, geder, kør og en enkelt gris paa vejen. Mennesker som blaffer ses over ALT! Vi boede i de sjoveste "Hobbit hytter", omgivet af smukke smukke bjerge. Niels og Mette på hiking til Moshroom Rock fra 900 meters højde til 1800 meters højde - i alt 13,3 km - ikke meget MEN meget hårdt. Hulemalerier fra San-folket som er ca. 3000 år gamle - sikke en gave at få efter alle anstrængelserne. Niels og Mette paa "opdagelse" - Yes we can do it! Efter mange timer fandt vi endelig Neptuns pool - hvor vi badede. Hobbit hytterne - Didima - er stats drevet og et socialt projekt som kun ansætter og uddanner ... read more

Cayley Lodge

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg September 26th 2012

Cayley Lodge

Kylie Anne

Cayley Lodge is one of my favourite places to go in the Berg and one of my favourite holidays. When I went the weather was beautiful. It was cold but the sun was shining. The best is having lunch on your balcony of your Chalet and soaking up the sun with a cool breeze, it is heaven. I think the best time to go is between June-September, this was the time I went and it was just awesome, weather was great and it wasnt packed with people so we could do the tourist things easily.... read more

Champagne Sport Resort

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg September 26th 2012

Champagne Sport Resort

Kylie Anne

Champagne Sport Resort is absolutely breath taking. The accomodation is situatated on a very big beautiful golf corse. I don't enjoy golf but driving on the cart with friends and taking in the beauty was heaven for me, from then I started liking golf. The Chalets are beautiful and spacious, feels like you are in your own home. Champagne Sport Resorts caters for all ages. It even has a small little church where people can get married and have there reception. Im thinking of it one day for myself. I love this Resort I go almost every year.... read more

Champagne Castle Hotel

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg September 25th 2012

Champyne Castle

Kylie Anne

Champagne Castle HotelR600 Champagne ValleyWinterton 3340, South Africa Champagne Castle Hotel is such a stunning place it looks like it does in the magazines. If you are looking for a romantic relaxing time away, here is the place to go. The hotel is stunning and provides you with your every need and more. It is a get away place, so stay away from the shops and just enjoy the hotel and what it has to offer you. It is freezing in the winter and often snows lighly. A romantic fire and glass of wine is a must. This will be a holiday of self realizations and you will come back a new and relaxed person.... read more

South Africa 2012

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Northern Drakensberg May 20th 2012

Drakensberg Mountains

Kathy Bernie

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT, THEN GO BACK TO THE BLOG OR GO THROUGH THE PHOTOS (CLICK ON THE NUMBERS AT THE BOTTOM) IN THAT ENLARGED FORMAT. TO RETURN TO THE BLOG ENTRY, JUST CLICK YOUR BACK BUTTON OR ON THE NAME OF THE BLOG, BELOW THE NUMBERS ON THE LEFT. FOR SHORT VIDEOS ABOVE, LOOK TO RIGHT (VIDEO PLAYLIST) AND CLICK ON ADDITIONAL VIDEOS TO VIEW. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TURN OFF THE SOUND AS WE ARE CHATTING ANNOYINGLY - THE OTHERS DIDN'T KNOW I WAS FILMING - PLUS THE CAMERA IS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. NEAR THE TOP ON THE RIGHT YOU CAN CLICK ON 'KATHY & BERNIE' JUST ABOVE OUR PHOTO AND YOU'LL GET A PAGE LISTING (BACKWARDS CHRONOLOGICALLY) OUR BLOGS, WHICH YOU CAN SCROLL THROUGH. IF YOU ... read more

Brief history of South Africa

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 subjug...more history

Forum Topics for Northern Drakensberg

Planning a safariPosts: 6

Capetown SuggestionsPosts: 9

where do you recommend ...Posts: 2

Volunteering at a big c...Posts: 2

Private game reserves i...Posts: 5

Volunteer / Intern in C...Posts: 2

Safari Tour Company to ...Posts: 13

Tick Bites and Pink Soc...Posts: 2

A honey moon next month...Posts: 9

erniePosts: 3

beware corrupt copsPosts: 7