Thrilling adventures await in KwaZulu-Natal’s uKhahlamba Drakensberg valleys

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg region is naturally designed to be the ultimate thrill-seeker destination in KwaZulu-Natal. The region’s isiZulu name, uKhahlamba - which translates into the 'Barrier of Spears', emulates the sense of action and energy you feel when exploring the vast, majestic, and sky-piercing mountain range.

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg region makes up one of KZN’s two World Heritage Sites – and it's no wonder why. Spanning an impressive 1,600 kilometres from South Africa’s northernmost provinces to the Eastern Cape, you’ll find a host of adventure fuelled activities veining its valleys. Visitors can enjoy one of the many breath-taking hiking trails and biking routes tucked away in the thick of the mountain range as well as get their adrenaline fix with ziplining adventures, river rafting activities, and more.

Get a closer look at some of the highlights known to the region below:

Now that you’ve got a taste of the exciting activities awaiting you in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg, or ‘Dragon Mountains’, it’s time to choose your next great adventure:

A camper’s delight

What better way to soak up the splendour of a stay in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg than immersing yourself in the landscape with a scenic camp spot? Throughout the expansive mountain range, you’ll find stunning camping spots tucked away for you and your family to enjoy - such as the Mahai campsite, Hlalanathi campsite, Monk’s Cowl campsite, and more.

In the footsteps of legends

Those looking for a rejuvenating day out in nature can find solace exploring one of the many mesmerising hiking or mountain biking trails that tattoo the ridges of the mountains. These are the very mountains trekked and inhabited by native San and Bushmen people - making it a region freckled in cultural history. Tucked away in little caves and on off-path rocks along hiking routes near Giant’s Castle and in Kamberg Nature Reserve you’ll find the fading San rock paintings tattooing the range while enjoying the ethereal views.

Quenching your thirst for water adventure

Freshwater lovers can rejoice at the many opportunities to dip in and refresh in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg valley courtesy of the rivers, rock pools, and waterfalls you’ll find nestled in and along the region. An to add an extra zest of adrenaline, you can up the ante by booking you and your friends the water adventure of a lifetime by opting to experience the rush of white water rafting through the valley of dragons.

Reaching for the skies

If you’re ready to elevate your adventure game, the region boasts a versatile range of activities to help you reach for the sky. You can book an exhilarating helicopter flight or ‘flip’ or a hot air ballooning experience over the region to enjoy the spectacular views with a bird’s eye view. And for those looking to take their sky-high adventure to a more thrilling level, the region allows visitors to enjoy zipline canopy tours, abseiling adventures, rock climbing, and even guided ice climbing in winter – to really explore the untamed adrenaline-filled magic that pulses through the region.

It’s time to whet your appetite for adventure – and there’s no better place to appease it in KZN than in the rugged uKhahlamba Drakensberg region.

Find out more about the uKhahlamba Drakensberg here and explore some of the exciting travel specials up for grabs, including a fantastic Cathedral Peak hotel special and mid-week Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens deal to help plan your next visit.

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