| The Drakensberg is truly a magical place and it is not | | | | but manageable and although it is only 8 km to the |
| difficult to see why it is one of South Africa's major | | | | top from the S.A border post it takes about 2 hours |
| tourist destinations. Recently I spent five days there | | | | to enjoy the drive. The sunny grass covered north |
| and never once was I bored. We stayed at house in | | | | facing slopes stood in stark contrast to the south |
| the small town of Underberg. Although it only really | | | | facing slopes that were shadowed and covered with |
| has two tarred road this town is booming with | | | | snow. The scenery was breathtaking and would rival |
| development and is a popular destination for city | | | | some of the best in the world. There are many |
| dwellers from Durban. We had decided to spend the | | | | places were you can get off the road and take |
| following morning trying out our very basic fly fishing | | | | memorable photos or simply enjoy the mountains. At |
| skills at a friend's dam. We rose early and being mid | | | | the top of the pass is a small village with stone huts |
| winter, wrapped ourselves in as many layers of | | | | all surrounded by snow and the Lesotho border post |
| clothing as possible. The dam looked like something | | | | where we found the border officials huddled around |
| out of a story book. The smooth mirror like surface | | | | a fireplace. The icy wind soon drove us into the |
| reflected the surrounding snow capped mountains | | | | highest pub in Africa where hot chocolates were |
| and was occasionally broken by a duck swimming | | | | gulped down. I happened to notice that none of the |
| through the wispy mist rising. I managed to get a fly | | | | drinks were stored in fridges but when I took a step |
| stuck in the reeds so after taking off my shoes I | | | | outside I realised why, they didn't need to. On the |
| stepped onto the pebbles on the bank and to my | | | | second to last day we took a drive to Cobham |
| horror heard ice-breaking. The sound caused me to | | | | nature reserve for another day of hiking. Entrance |
| change my plan of wading out in to the water to | | | | cost us R20 and we bought a pamphlet showing us |
| unhook the fly. The day warmed up wonderfully and | | | | the trails to hike. We decided on a hike that lead us |
| after catching no trout we headed home. The | | | | along a river. We were not disappointed, with |
| afternoon had been set aside to do a hike. The Sani | | | | mountains on either side of us we walked the trail |
| Pass hotel gave us a list of hikes and the | | | | soaking in the scenery and stopping frequently to sit |
| receptionist, obviously thinking we were fit, healthy | | | | on a rock next to the river and marvel at the crystal |
| young guys, recommended a hike that read "steep in | | | | clear mountain pools. We had the good fortune of |
| a few sections". Well by the time we got to the top | | | | seeing a small herd of Eland, including a huge Eland bull |
| of the "hill" I was ready to give up and let the | | | | and a troop of baboons. We even took a break to |
| vultures have me but the views were spectacular | | | | drink from the icy cold waters of the river. Later that |
| and well worth the climb. The following day we | | | | night as we sat in the historic Himeville arms enjoying |
| decided to drive up Sani Pass into Lesotho. This is a | | | | a beer next to the warm fire I found myself feeling |
| road that leads up through a pass in the mountains | | | | sad to leave this place but making a mental note to |
| and is named after the San people that inhabited the | | | | definitely return. |
| area. It is essential to have a 4X4 and passports | | | | For more information on Drakensberg Holiday |
| because you pass through both the South African | | | | Destinations visit for relevant information and |
| and Lesotho border posts. The road was fairly rough | | | | available travel services in the area. |