The world is yours to wonder at in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, one of South Africa's prime ecotourist destinations and a World Heritage Site. In this awesome mountain range you can savour the ultimate freedom of great open spaces in a world of gigantic peaks and buttresses, of towering sandstone cliffs and hidden valleys, virgin forests and crystal clear rivers.
The diverse scenic splendour includes the famous Amphitheatre at Royal Natal National Park and the magnificent southern Drakensberg scenery at Cobham and Lotheni. This park is home to black eagle, bearded vulture and herds of eland, besides the priceless legacy of many other indigenous plants and animals.
The Maloti and Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and South Africa contain irreplaceable resources; unique but fragile ecosystems that host a high concentration of endemic plant species, places of cultural significance, and important wetland systems that are a vital source of freshwater.
The Maloti Drakensberg Park is a collaborative initiative between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. It aims to conserve and sustainably manage the globally significant natural and cultural heritage of the Maloti and Drakensberg mountains which straddle the 300km border between the two countries. This vast Transfrontier Conservation Area stretches across three provinces in South Africa and across four districts Lesotho.
Of unparalleled significance as a Transfrontier Conservation Area is the fact that this area is the most important water catchment area for two countries. The wetland systems in the area are at the highest altitudes and provide critical water purification and storage services for the people of Lesotho and South Africa.
Of equal significance is the cultural heritage in the area which is home to the greatest gallery of rock art in the world. There are over 600 rock art sites, containing between 35 - 40 000 individual images, painted by the San or Bushmen people who are said to have inhabited this area for more than 4000 years.
At a glance
Why you should visit
Majestic, stunning and mysterious, the mountains and surrounds of the World Heritage-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park are among South Africa’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. The Drakensberg range is also one of the best hiking destinations in Africa. Valleys, waterfalls, rivers, caves and the escarpment, which rises to an impressive 3000m, provide spectacular wilderness experiences for walkers of all levels.
