Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

/ Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu Natal

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the pristine steep sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute to the beauty of this world heritage site.

The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park site's diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially birds and plants. This spectacular natural site also contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and diversity of subject and in their depiction of animals and human beings. They represent the spiritual life of the San people who no longer live in this region.

The San people are recognised as the indigenous inhabitants of the sub-continent. In centuries past they inhabited practically the entire sub-continent, and are regarded as "embodying the essence of southern Africa's deep past". Yet there is no monument to the San people - other than their own art. Within the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park there are some 600 sites, collectively representing over 35000 individual images.

Rock Art in Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Rock Art in Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Remarkably, the rock art in the park is better preserved than any other region south of the Sahara. The oldest painting on a rock shelter wall in the park is about 2400 years old, while more recent creations date back to the late nineteenth century. Many of the sites contain scenes depicting hunting, dancing, fighting, food gathering or ritual and trance scenes of hunting or rainmaking.

The ecological integrity of the area has been preserved intact since the last San people living there and the climate, vegetation and fauna have not changed. Uniquely, it is possible to turn from rock paintings of eland, rhebok and other animals to look over pristine valleys and to see these very species feeding, resting or moving about.

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

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Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Accommodation nearby

For accommodation outside of the reserve, see these towns which border the reserve:
• Bergville Accommodation • Cathedral Peak Accommodation
• Champagne Valley Accommodation • Giants Castle Accommodation
• Himeville Accommodation • Kokstad Accommodation • Monks Cowl Accommodation
• Mont-aux-Sources Accommodation • Sani Pass Accommodation • Swartberg Accommodation
• Underberg Accommodation • Van Reenen Accommodation • Winterton Accommodation

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Featured Attractions / Activities

Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio

Where: Champagne Valley
How much (per person): Free to browse

The vibrant ceramics of Ardmore, ranging from functional domestic ware to sculptural art in the decorative African tradition, offer a fine insight into the subtle ... more information

Fly Fishing at Penwarn

Where: Underberg
How much (per person): On Request

Penwarn is a premier fishing location with seven dams (one is two kilometres long) and eight kilometres of river, and 6-9 pounders are regularly hooked ... more information

Hot Air Ballooning in the Drakensberg

Where: Drakensberg
How much (per person): On Request

Experience the awesome thrill and peaceful serenity of hot air ballooning. Hot air balloon flights are offered principally on the edge of the Drakensberg ... more information

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