Adventure activities in the Drakensberg
This is a general guide to a some of the of adventure activities in the Drakensberg
that could build that basis for a number of day excursions. Use this "Drakensberg
Adventure Activity Guide" to help plan you Drakensberg activities. Please
feel free to contact
us for more adventure activity information about Drakensberg and about accommodation
in the Drakensberg.
And there are lots of adventure activities in the
Drakensberg to choose from. You could
for example meet Horrible Horace, the Whiplash and the Four-Man-Hole -
legendary rapids and cascades that form part of the roller coaster ride of
white water adventuring in the region.
Mix in abseiling, mountaineering and quad biking and you can understand
why so many adrenalin enthusiasts regard our Drakensberg rivers, mountains
and tracks as the ultimate adventure destination in the World.
The mighty rivers that form high in the Drakensberg offer endless
opportunities to the adventure seeker. Rivers that flow and cascade
through mountain, grassland and bush, then meander through straight, quiet
stretches before bursting back to frenetic life in a series of plunging
waterfalls and churning rapids. These are powerful waterways, begging to
be tamed by raft, canoe or tube.
Mightiest
of them all is the Tugela
River; pounding and pummeling its way through the nerve-tingling Tugela
Gorge.
There are mountains to be conquered - and they don't come more
challenging than the towering peaks of the Drakensberg. The legendary abode
of dragons, the Zulu calls it the uKhahlamba - the barrier of spears - and
with good reason.
There are numerous stories of man pitted against nature on these
precipitous faces. Soaring to 3 500 meters, this majestic and imposing
mountain range has challenged the climbing greats.
Perhaps you would like to tame a giant rock face, but you've never
tackled a mountain in your life. Why not experience the adrenalin rush of
abseiling, which is offered at many of the local resorts. This is an
opportunity for the novice or inexperienced to scale giant rock faces
under safe and expert instruction.
You may prefer a canoe safari on Wagendrift Dam. Or the thrills and
spills of carting and quad bike racing.
For the children there are adventure camps, which offer camels, horse
carts, horse riding, obstacle courses, swimming, hiking, climbing and farm
activities centered on the care of animals.
Skiing in the
Drakensberg is another winter option and although the skiing is not a main
reason to come an visit South Africa it can well be a fun activity on the side.
Golfing in
the Drakensberg offers superb golfing facilities in an environment that
is unsurpassed
Canoeing,
kayaking, white water rafting, surf paddling – whatever your craft, South
Africa offers big, fast rivers, lakes, dams and of course the magnificent Indian
Ocean to satisfy your hunger for adventure.
List of Adventure Activities in the Drakensberg
- Drakensberg guided walks & hiking trails.
Guided
Hikes are normally available on a daily basis from most hotels, resorts and
Natal Nature Conservation Services camps. Hikes will vary from easy strolls
of about an hour to visit local attractions to more strenuous all day
climbs. For the energetic and fit, there is the challenge to make the
demanding but exhilarating climb to the top of the main Drakensberg summit.
- Drakensberg 4x4 trails.
Guided 4x4 trails are offered in perhaps the most scenic environment in the
world. Passes like Sani Pass and Mikes Pass at Catherderal Peak let you get
right onto the Drakensberg escarpment. An adventure that just cannot be
missed.
- Drakensberg game viewing.
Experience the excitement of black and white rhino in Weenen Game Reserve.
Or an adventure on horseback through a private game reserve where you can
view giraffe to dung beetles while your horse carries you comfortably.
- Horse riding in the Drakensberg
Most
Drakensberg resorts offer horse riding as an attraction and short to half
day rides through the foothills are usually available. To enjoy the
wonderful mountain scenery whilst on horseback adds enormously to the
outdoor experience.
- River swimming & White water rafting
It
is hard to resist the temptation of taking a refreshing swim in a crystal
clear mountain stream. Summer is paradise with many deep plunge pools to be
found in the sandstone bedrock, together with warm rocks to bask on. For the
able and adventurous the larger rivers are great for 'shooting the rapids'
on tire tubes and rubber boats.
- Golf
If
you're after "eagles" and "birdies", tee off in the
Drakensberg! Tall sandstone cliffs and lush valleys form the backdrop to
rolling fairways and challenging greens. Cathedral Peak, Champagne Valley
and Hlalanathi host nine hole golf courses and eighteen holes can be found
at Champagne Sports Resort in the central Drakensberg.
- Trout fishing
Stocked
dams and streams close to the resorts or in the wilderness areas of the
Drakensberg are normally reserved for fly fishing. The KZN Nature Conservation Services have made
available several excellent trout dams and stretches of fishable river.
Recommended Drakensberg adventure companies
- Drakensberg Excursions
Adventure activities near Mooi River in
the Kamberg Valley. Trails
on sure-footed appaloosas. See the Drakensberg on horse back. Little Mooi
River trout fishing for the experienced fisherman and dams stocked
regularly. Telephone:(033)2637227 email: drakensberg-excursions@drakensberg-tourism.com
- Four Rivers Adventures
Adventure activities near Winterton.
For a totally new and exciting adventure activity -
try River Rafting in the Central
Drakensberg area of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Daily river trips are
offered (subject to river conditions) on the four main rivers in the
area, Injasuti, Lombargwa, Bushman and Tugela. The Tugela River trip
is the most popular ; it includes a Grade 5 rapid, the largest rapid
allowed to run commercially world wide. Two-man inflatable rafts and
all the equipment, i.e. life jackets, helmets, paddles, etc., are
provided by Four Rivers Rafting. All trips take place under the
supervision of experienced guides.
Off road carting in the Central Drakensberg, Kwazulu Natal. There is a track where you can participate in either 6 laps or 12
laps. Our outride is proving to be very popular and takes about half
an hour. A longer outride can be arranged. We supply helmets, goggles
and waterproof pants. For a great Team Building Experience, or if there
is a group or more than 5 people at one time, we can arrange a `Le
Mans` type of event which will comprise of racing teams of two or more
people doing pit stops, refueling and changing of drivers and much
more fun activities. Telephone:(083)7851693/7891963 email: four-rivers-adventures@drakensberg-tourism.com
- Major Adventures
Adventure activities near Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. Sani
Pass Day Trip (4x4) : guided tour up Sani Pass into Lesotho
- full day. Overnighting Lesotho (4x4) : guided tour up Sani Pass into Lesotho
and overnighting at Molumong or Katse
Dam. Wildcoast Trip : tailor made trips to Wildcoast.
Telephone: (033)7011628 email: major-adventures@drakensberg-tourism.com
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