Early Days
From the earliest days, people
have coveted the Drakensberg
region. To the Voortrekkers,
the mountains resembled a
chain of fierce dragons; to
the Zulu nation, a ‘Barrier of
Spears’ – Ukhahlamba. The
San left evidence of their
lifestyle in numerous subtle
cave paintings. King Shaka set
out to conquer and lay claim
to its fertile lands. European
immigrants, both Boer and
British, locked horns in their
bid to possess the territory.
The rich soils of its valleys,
nestled beneath the natural
protection of towering cliffs,
have attracted wanderers from
far and wide.
Game Pass Shelter - Bushman Rock Art at Kamberg
In its remoteness and height, the
Berg offers a magical window
open to the fascination of the
skies. The sun blazes as an oasis
of light, warmth and life. The
eager star-gazer is rewarded by
a Milky Way that arcs across the
night skies in a marvellous mass
of stars. The various planets
shine forth brightly, unimpaired
by buildings or the interference
of city lights. The well-known
celestial constellations, Orion
and Scorpio, are clearly visible
and the Southern Cross marks
the way with its two pointers.
A rising moon in the East, large
and glowing, and the setting sun
over the Drakensberg peaks, is a
wondrous daily experience.
Star gazing in the Drakensberg
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