Hlatikulu Valley, Drakensberg
The Hlatikulu Valley is a particularly beautiful and bountiful valley that lies between Giants Castle and Kamberg Nature Reserves in the central Drakensberg, roughly 30 kilometres or so from the town of Mooi River. Towering over the valley like the colossi they are, are Giants Castle, Hlatikulu Mountain, Mount Lebanon and other peaks of the range that form an incredible backdrop to this vale.
This part of the Drakensberg is enchanting. Soil rich in minerals and verdant and fertile is traversed by the waters of a number of rivers, studded with grasslands and thorn trees and home to a wetland that harbours the few remaining wattled cranes in a rescue and rehabilitation refuge known as the Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary.
Giants Castle Nature Reserve is a haven of wonderful walks and the chance to view San Rock art in caves dotted around the reserve. The Kamberg Nature Reserve offers a reasonably brisk and strenuous walk to the top of the mountain to see San Rock Art. The walk takes roughly an hour and a half and is well worth the effort. Whilst the Highmoor Nature Reserve, also close by, is one of the few reserves that allows you to travel by road to the top of what is known as the 'little berg' or the Drakensberg's foothills, dotted with yellow sandstone cliffs and incredible views of the 'high berg'.
The mountains of the Dragon, as the Drakensberg is affectionately known, is the highest mountain range in southern Africa and a sight for sore eyes - the buttresses and peaks glorious at sunrise and sunset, summer, winter or fall; the surrounding area a series of waterfalls, pools, lush and forested gorges and an escarpment that beckons all with a spirt for adventure.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
The Hlatikulu Valley is ideal for those who want to experience the Drakensberg by spending time in nature. It's quite remote and very quiet. If you go, you MUST do the walks or hikes to get the full Hlatikulu experience.
Chaelyn (Chatsworth)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

River Run Cottage
River Run Cottage offers a serene self-catering retreat on a private farm nestled in the heart of Kamberg Valley, within KwaZulu-Natal's stunning...

Alpine Heath Resort
Nestled in the midst of the picturesque Northern Drakensberg Mountains and conveniently located mid-way between Durban and Johannesburg. This res...

Dieu Donne Cottage
Dieu Donne Cottage is a self-catering cottage located on a farm just off the Sani Pass Road, in Underberg. The cottage boasts spectacular valley ...

Sani Valley Lodge
Sani Valley Lodge is a unique blend of nature, activity and luxury accommodation (a mix between an upmarket Bed & Breakfast, Guest House and Hote...

Thula Thula Cottage
Thula Thula Cottages offer Northern Drakensberg accommodation in two lovely cottages with lovely Mountain views. We invite you to visit us so tha...

Champagne Haven
Champagne Haven consists of three privately owned luxury chalets in the Mount Champagne Resort in the Central Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal. Two are...

Montusi Self Catering Cottages
Montusi is a spacious and quiet development in the Northern KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg near Royal Natal National Park. There are six privately own...

Monks Cowl Golf Resort
Monks Cowl Golf Resort is situated in the Central Drakensberg approximately four hours from Johannesburg and two and a half hours from Durban. Si...

Dragonview Lodge
Welcome to Dragonview Lodge. The first of its kind in the central Drakensberg, Dragonview Lodge is an environmentally sustainable boutique hotel....
Things to do in the area

Mooi River Birding
If you are a bird lover then you will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the Mooi River at Giants Castle Game Reserve. With over 140 species to be seen,...

Giant's Castle Hikes
Giant's Castle refers both to the landmark rock massif in the central Drakensberg, where it rests in amongst the peaks of Champagne Castle and Ca...

Zulu Cave Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl / Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mdedelelo Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: Cat c...
Noteworthy attractions

Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve
Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...

Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...

Cobham State Forest
Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...

Garden Castle State Forest
Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley. The Garden Castle reserve i...

Giant's Castle Nature Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...

Himeville Nature Reserve
The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...

Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...

Lotheni Nature Reserve
Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...
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