Northern Drakensberg, Drakensberg
People are divided when it comes to delineating the Northern Drakensberg. There are those who speak of its borders as the Natal Drakensberg National Park in the north, down to Cathedral Peak in the south, whilst others extend its upper western reaches to include the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, across the Free State border.
What they do agree on, is that the Northern Drakensberg includes the famous Amphitheatre, one of the most prominent features of the Dragon Mountains and certainly one of the most impressive in the world. This sheer cliff face, which forms part of the Royal Natal National Park, is probably the most photographed portion of the 'berg.
Certainly, the famous wall of rock that is the sheer face of the Amphitheatre is what graces the pages of most tourist guides. From here the Tugela Falls cascade some 950 metres in a series of waterfalls down its face.
Interestingly it takes one only about five hours to scale this face and return to the start at the Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek but it is not for the feint hearted (there are a series of precarious chain ladders involved) and you need to be fit in order to benefit from the incredible views at the top. The Amphitheatre stretches for five kilometres in length and its cliffs rise some 1 220 metres along the entire length.
Other famous peaks in the Northern Drakensberg, which is obviously filled with a series of challenging hikes as a consequence, include the Inner Tower and Devils Tooth, and the Tugela Falls Gorge Walk, a relatively flat walk, is very popular.
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In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Kwaggashoek Game Lodge
Kwaggashoek Game Lodge is known to offer guests an exquisite and memorable African wildlife experience not to be missed. Situated in the beautifu...

Little Switzerland Resort
Situated in the beautiful Drakensberg, Little Switzerland Resort is a little bit of heaven. Accommodation is provided either in hotel rooms or in...

The Homestead
Situated in the quiet sanctuary of Geluksburg, The Homestad is a family guest house offering value for your money accommodation at affordable pri...

Cathedral Cottage
Cathedral Cottage nestles at the very foot of the Cathedral Peak mountain range in the Northern Drakensberg. The accommodation sleeps six adults ...

Ezulwini Berg Resort
Ezulwini Berg Resort offers guests a tranquil getaway in Northern Drakensberg, with fantastic mountain views. Ideal for families looking for a co...

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

Gina's Self Catering Chalets
Located in the beautiful Northern Drakensberg, Gina’s Self Catering Chalets offers a getaway with a difference. Situated just 29kms from the N3 t...

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge offers peaceful and affordable accommodation in cosy and rustic rondavel bungalows, newly renovated and exclusive chal...

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

Ledges Retreat Guest Farm
Ledges Retreat Guest Farm offers bed & breakfast and self catering accommodation in a stunning area with scenic surroundings. There are a number ...

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort and Spa
The Cavern is situated on a private nature reserve in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains and borders on the Amphitheatre World Heritage Site. The...

Dalmore Guest Farm
Bordering Spioenkop Dam and Nature Reserve, Dalmore Guest Farm is a family friendly destination offering both bed and breakfast and self-catering...

The Phatt Chef Diner and B&B
The Phatt Chef Road Side Diner and B&B is an owner run destination situated on top of Oliviershoek Pass on the R74. Accommodation is offered in c...

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

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...

Sungubala Eco Camp
Sungubala Eco Camp lies in the heart of the pristine Drakensberg wilderness, directly below Hlolela and Sungubala (2000m), just north of the Roya...

Montusi Mountain Lodge
Montusi Mountain Lodge is a lovely lodge in the Northern KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg mountains (near the Royal Natal Nature Reserve), offering supe...

Drakensberg Mountain Retreat
Drakensberg Mountain Retreat is a stunning destination in the northern Drakensberg only 20km beyond Sterkfontein Dam. It offers much more than co...

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

Berghouse and Cottages
Berghouse and Cottages offers Drakensberg accommodation, high up in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. With unique panoramic vie...

Three Tree Hill Lodge
Three Trees at Spioenkop is a family-owned-and-run small luxury lodge situated at the foot of the Drakensberg mountain range, and in the heart of...
Things to do in the area

Up the Tugela River (gorge) to the Tunnel
Start: Mahai camp siteFinish: Mahai camp siteDuration: 23 km, there-and-back hike, roughly 7 hoursFitness: moderate, most people can hike thisOur...

Sentinel Peak trail
Start: Sentinel car park (almost 3 000 metres above sea level)Finish: Sentinel car parkDuration: a whole dayFitness: fit (the hike may be shorten...

Ploughman’s Kop Trail
Ploughman’s Kop is a mountain in the shape of a head on the left arm of The Amphitheatre in the Royal Natal Park, which is in turn part of the Uk...

Easter Cave Hike
Start: Cathedral Peak Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Cathedral Peak Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: this is o...

Maluti Cave Hike
Start: base camp at Tseki, Phuthaditjaba (Witsieshoek)Finish: TsekiDuration: two, three, four day optionsFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: t...

Plowman's Kop, the Crack and Mudslide
Start: Mahai camp site, Drakensberg, KwaZulu NatalFinish: Mahai camp siteDuration: 8 km, roughly 5 hoursFitness: moderate to difficult Our tip: t...

Ledges Cave Hike
Start: Mnweni and Cathedral Peak, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mnweni valleyFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: the source of the Orange river ...

Rat Hole Cave Hike
Start: Mnweni area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mnweni area, northern DrakensbergFind it: a stone's throw from the top of Fangs PassFitness: mode...
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 State Forest
The Cathedral Range, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of the Berg for ba...

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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