About Southern Drakensberg

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