The Search for Drakensberg

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Geo: -28.8447, 29.1467

I eventually managed to convince Matt and Dave that a daytrip out towards Drakensberg was well worth doing.
Drakensberg or Drakensbergen is Dutch for 'the Dragon Mountains'
Its an impressive mountain range of peaks and hills aplenty, great for exploring, camping and hiking.
The problem was getting there
We made the mistake of deviating from the M3 (Freeway) after Pietermaritzburg.
We learned the hard way, that travel on 'light coloured' roads on a map in Africa is best avoided for future reference. The road deteriorated from paved, to gravel, to dirt, to rock, to.. well, near dangerous.
From a positive perspective, it took us through small villages, and a winding pass through the hills that few had ever seen. At a time, it had us on a thin dirt road, travelling 20km/p hr, on a winding elevated road, where you could see no sign of civilisation.
The negative side of things meant that by the time we eventually found our way to Cathedral Peak in the Drakensberg, it was 4pm, and there was not enough time to do anything.
We walked around the hotel and entrance areas, but were advised to do little else, with light dwindling. It was a teasing ordeal of epic proportions. I couldnt help despair at how beautiful the place appeared, how nice the hotel was, and how fulfilling it would be to spend DAYS there, hiking, exploring, and sightseeing.
Alas, I managed to snap a bunch of photos, and we had to be on hour way. Tragically, it took little over 2 hours to get back via the highway, as opposed to the 6 hours it took getting there...
It was a place id truly like to come back to for a few days, next time im in Africa.

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Photos

Drakensberg Gate
Not the right gate, but a gate all the same. At least we were getting close'ish.

Secret Waterfall
Just a few metres off the dirt road near the first gate. Just a little waterfall and oasis we found. Kinda cool to think that (given how lost we were) few tourists had ever walked to it, or seen it

Hut
There were several little villages and dwellings on the road to Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg.
Mostly consisted of 4-5 little huts or houses together.

Lone Hut
What a view its inhabitants had.

Late Arrival
By the time we eventually got to where we wanted to be, it was too late to do anything.

Terrace View
There was a 4-5 star hotel situated in a beautiful location here at Cathedral Peak. Definatley somewhere i fully intend to come back to. This is NOT the last Africa has seen of me.

Mountainscape
The views here were awesome. There were several peaks and troughs decorating the horizon.
I love hiking and the outdoors, and this was a hikers wet-dream. I could spend a good week here, exploring the endless trails and paths, and perhaps even adventuring off them!

Kris Drakensberg
Me at Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg

Hotel Terrace
The Cathedral peak hotel. Its about 2000 rand per night for a room, or the same for 2 people for a twin share..
not too bad, or unusual considering its location.

But we just got here...
Time to turn around and head back, as the sun sets over the valleys at Drakensberg

Sunset over the mountains
The sun slinks down behind the mountainscape

Sunset Reflection
The fading light bounces off the rivers in the valley

Last View
Looking back through the rear windshield of the car, i can see the last part of the sunset behind african tree silhouttes