Southern Drakensberg, Drakensberg
Broadly speaking, the southern parts of the Drakensberg lie between Bushman's Nek to the south-east and Kamberg to the north-west, including the Bulwer Mountain and what are often described as the 'country' towns of Underberg and Himeville.
This part of the world is described as predominantly farmland that might once have been rather 'off the beaten track' but is now a far more popular destination, not least because of the access to fly-fishing opportunities.
The other reasons for heading to the southern Drakensberg are its access to Durban and Pietermaritzburg (you can get away for a weekend with relatively little hassle), the incredible scenery (you are at a high altitude tucked in beneath towering mountains) and the annual Splashy Fen Music Festival (acoustic music in an awesome setting) that invariably sees thousands of alternative types descend on a farm near Underberg for four days of rather loud music.
Other than that, the Southern Drakensberg is, like the other parts of the Drakensberg, a haven for hikers and those who love wildlife and unpredictable weather. There is often snow on the tips of mountains and the rivers, wetlands, indigenous forests and rolling grasslands that are typical of this part of the 'berg, combine to make it a wonderful escape destination.
The famous Sani Pass, the highest pass road in the country (and third highest in the world), lies in the Southern Drakensberg and follows the course of the Mkomazana River all the way up to the border with Lesotho. The drive up to the top, also known as the 'roof of Africa', is well worth the effort for the views and the utter breathlessness. If you manage it on a day when there are few visitors, you can hear a pin drop
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Stoney Way Cottage
Stoney Way Cottage is a two bedroom, one bathroom cottage set in a large garden behind the main house just outside the village of Underberg. The ...

Elgin Guest House
Elgin Guest House offers comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation on private sections of a working dairy farm. Each room has its own entrance ...

Teddington Farm
Teddington, is dominated by the imposing Mt. Macdonald to the east and the pristine Umzimvubu River forms the boundary to the west. The farm offe...

Moya Cottage
Offering self catering accommodation, Moya Cottage is a cosy cottage situated in the peaceful Underberg village, in the heart of the Southern Dra...

Nguni Moon Tepee Camp
Nguni Moon Tepee Camp offers a unique holiday experience where you get the opportunity to sleep in a teepee for the night. The accommodation is c...

KarMichael Farm
KarMichael Farm is situated on a 35 Ha working farm just outside the Village of Himeville. The Farm has superb views into Lesotho with Hodgson’s ...

Dunford's Loft
Dunford's Loft offers self catering accommodation in the village of Himeville. Here you will enjoy warm, friendly hospitality in a relaxed enviro...

Malachite Manor
Malachite Manor is a luxury Guest Lodge situated on the outskirts of Underberg. It is an ideal getaway for discerning Guests wanting to get away ...

Flitwick Ranch
Located on a working farm in Swartberg, Flitwick Ranch provides accommodation in what was once a cheese factory and rustic stone stables. Facilit...

The Fairways Gold Crown Resort
Besides boasting a magnificent backyard, Fairways is renowned for its superb self catering units available in four and six sleeper units, as well...

Albizia House
Albizia House is a Bed and Breakfast establishment situated in Himeville in the main street of this small picturesque village that is just five k...

Under The Berg B&B
Bed & Breakfast and Backpackers Accommodation is available at Under the Berg B&B in Underberg, in the Southern Drakensberg. If you've come to the...

Pin Oak Cottage
Pin Oak Cottage is a self catering holiday house in Underberg in the Drakensberg. The house sleeps ten guests in four bedrooms. The main house ha...

Mkomazana Mountain Cottages
Mkomazana is a unique property nestled at the foot of the Sani Pass. The accommodation is a charming combination of two original and recently ref...

The Old Hatchery
Welcome to an affordable B&B and self-catering trout farm, set in a tranquil country setting just 10km from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg...

Amazian Mountain River Lodge
Amazian Mountain River Lodge situated in the Southern Drakensberg just outside Underberg and only 18km away from the Sani Pass. Enjoy a de-stress...

Moorcroft Manor Boutique Hotel
We are perfectly situated to provide rest for the weary but at the same time we are surrounded by places offering activities that suit young and ...


Woodys Cottage
Woodys Cottage is a quaint Drakensberg self catering cottage, which is situated on a private farm, close to a river just outside Himeville in the...

Fairways Heartwood Mountain Cottage
Fairways - Heartwood Mountain Cottage offers comfortable accommodation at the Drakensberg Gardens Resort and is just 30km from Underberg. The res...

Sani Window
Sani Window in Underberg is set on a large property facing onto the golf course with magnificent views of the Drakensberg Mountains. The house ha...

Willowbrooke Cottage
Willowbrooke Cottage offers guests a comfortable, unforgettable experience in a fully equipped and serviced self-catering cottage with 3 bedroom...

Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve
Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve, the premier wild-trout fly fishing destination in Southern Africa, is a registered site of Conservation Significan...

Valley Lakes
Valley Lakes is situated approximately 30kms from Underberg, nestled in the Ndawana Valley, and the lake is fed by the pristine waters of the Nda...

Penwarn Farm Lodge
Rustic yet modern, Penwarn Farm Lodge can be found just 25km from the quaint, little town of Underberg in South Africa. As you drive down the Khy...

Arbuckle House
Arbuckle House Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering is situated in the beautiful Village of Himeville in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg...

Umzimkulu River Lodge
Umzimkulu River Lodge offers serviced Bed & Breakfast or Self Catering accommodation on one of the most beautiful bends of the Umzimkulu River in...

Sani Lodge Backpackers
The Lodge provides a wide range of clean, comfortable budget accommodation as well as 3 charming, self catering cottages, deep in the majestic So...

Douglas Drift
Douglas Drift is a real country getaway, situated 4.5km outside of Underberg town with magnificent views of the Umzimkulu River. Enjoy fresh air ...

Stoney Hall Farm
Stoneyhall Farm is situated at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg where the rolling green hills and clear mountain air invite you to unwind and...

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...

Yellowwood Cottage
In the picturesque village of Himeville, only five kilometres from the town of Underberg on the Sani Pass road in the Southern Drakensberg of Kwa...

Country Comfort
Country Comfort is a house in a secure private estate offering bed & breakfast accommodation in two rooms. From this great spot in the Southern D...

Himeville Arms Hotel
The Himeville Arms Hotel is a historic country hotel located in the heart of Himeville. Established in 1904, the hotel has an olde world English ...

Pennygum Country Cottages
Pennygum Country Cottages offers four beautiful cottages with stunning ‘picture postcard’ views of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains just 6km fr...

Valley View Cottage
Situated in the small town of Underberg in the southern Drakensberg, Valley View Cottage offers self catering accommodation for four guests. Boas...
Things to do in the area

Visit The Underberg Studio
The Underberg Studio is situated in the picturesque farming village of Himeville at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg. Here you will find the ...

Sani Spoors
Sani Spoors is mountain biking heaven. Situated in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, only 4km from the country village of Underberg, the...

Sherry Cave Hike
Start: Garden Castle Wilderness Area, Underberg, DrakensbergFinish: Garden Castle Wilderness AreaDuration: overnight hikeFitness: moderate to dif...

McKenzie's Caves Hike
Start: Mkhomzi Nature Reserve car parkFinish: Mkhomzi Nature Reserve car parkDuration: 11km (roughly 20 km return)Fitness: moderateOur tip: sign ...

Sinclair's Cave Hike
Start: Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, southern central Drakensberg or Kamberg Nature ReserveFinish: where you started, this is a there-and-back hikeDu...

Mashai Pass and Rhino Peak
Start: Garden CastleFinish: Garden CastleDuration: 18 km, 10 hoursFitness: difficult as the climb is extremeOur tip: start early and always sign ...

Sani Pass MTB Trail
Where: Sani Pass, nearest town HimevilleLevel: difficult to extremely difficult (not for children)Type of route: 72 – 80 km return, this gravel p...

Tarn Cave Hike
Start: Bushman's Nek Wilderness Area, southern DrakensbergFinish: Bushman's NekDuration: 10 km each way; 2 daysFitness: moderate to difficultOur ...

Pinnacle Rock Hike
Start: Cobham ranger station, southern DrakensbergFinish: Cobham, southern DrakensbergDuration: 10 km (20 km return)Fitness: moderate to difficul...
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...
Find accommodation in Southern Drakensberg
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