The Drakensberg Mountains are the highest mountains in South Africa, ranging up to 3,482 m (11,422 ft) in height. The name "Drakensberg" is an Afrikaans name meaning "Dragon Mountains". In isiZulu, these same mountains are called uKhahlamba, the "barrier of spears".
Location
The Drakensberg Mountains lie to the east of South Africa, running for some 1000 km generally southwest to northeast. A northwesterly bend in the Drakensberg forms the northeastern border of Lesotho with South Africa. The Drakensberg range separates KwaZulu-Natal Province from the Free State Province.
Geology
The Drakensberg is a remnant of the original African plateau, according to geologists. The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt up to 1,500 m thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles. Caves are frequent in the sandstone, and many have been decorated with rock paintings by the San peoples.
Drainage
The Orange and Vaal rivers are fed by rainwater and melting snow form the Drakensberg. A number of smaller rivers drain the Drakensberg on the east and south sides, the Tugela being the largest of these rivers.
Drakensberg Peaks
The highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana at 3,482 m. Other notable peaks include Mafadi at 3,450 m, Makoaneng at 3,416 m, Champagne Castle at 3,377 m, Giant's Castle at 3,315 m, and Ben Macdhui at 3,001 m. All of these mountain peaks are in the area bordering on Lesotho. North of Lesotho the range gradually becomes lower and less rugged. Many of the Drakensberg peaks offer challenging mountaineering. The major summits have all been conquered already, but a number of minor pinnacles have yet to be ascended.
Climate
Snow falls regularly in the winter, while rains and mists can occur year-round.
Drakensberg Tourism
Hiking and mountaineering are popular tourist activities in the Drakensberg. GPS receivers are often used to aid navigation on long hikes. Current maps of the Drakensberg, distributed by KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, use the Cape datum as the geodesic reference.
A variety of hotels and resorts are situated on the slopes of the Drakensberg. Most of the South African side of the highest parts of the Drakensberg Mountain Range has been designated as game reserves or wilderness areas.
Nature Reserves
UNESCO inscribed the uKhahlamba or Drakensberg National Park, located in KwaZulu-Natal, near the border with Lesotho, in the list of World Heritage sites in 2000. the uKhahlamba or Drakensberg National Park is also on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (under the RAMSAR convention).
The best-known National Park in the Drakensberg is the Royal Natal National Park. The source of the Tugela River is situated here, and the park includes the 912m high Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall on earth.
Drakensberg Real Estate
South Africans and international real estate investors have awakened to the value offered by this unique area of South Africa. Tiny little towns like Clarence, in the northeastern Free State have experienced huge real estate price increases in recent years.
Real Estate developers are faced with the conundrum that development in the beautiful natural areas of the Drakensberg will negatively impact the values of real estate here.
