NATAL DRAKENSBERG

the park is a place of great natural beauty and aesthetic importance;

it contains a rich diversity of fauna and flora.

the presence of San (Bushman) rock art dating back over a period of at least 4 000 years representing the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in southern Africa, outstanding in both their quality and diversity, these being masterpieces of the human creative genius;

the fact that these paintings bare testimony to the spiritual life and beliefs of a people who no longer live there.

Although it experiences extremes in temperature, both hot and cold, this is seldom for more than a few days at a time.  For most of the year the temperatures - especially in the lower berg - require no more clothing than shorts and shirt during the day.  This does not mean, however, that backpackers should not go prepared for any weather conditions, regardless of the time of year, since records show that snow is possible during any month, particularly in the high berg, and even during the summer months the nights may be cold.  The combination of wet summers and relatively dry winters also makes for safer hiking.

There is a vast range of backpacking opportunities, varying from easy lower berg routes along marked or well-defined paths, to multi-day high-altitude traverses which can severely test both your physical strength and navigational skills.  Unless you are planning to visit rock art sites, guides are not required and all you need to find your way around is a good map and your experience as a navigator.

Drinking water is seldom a problem.  The economical importance of the berg stems from the fact that it functions as a vast sponge, absorbing rain water and then slowly releasing it into the streams and rivers which eventually make their way to the dams and the sea, thus helping to provide industry and homes with a reliable source of water all year round.  Provided the water is flowing and is above human habitation, it is quite safe to drink directly from berg streams without the need for costly and often unhealthy purification.  This is quite unlike some other places of pristine beauty such as New Zealand, where you are strongly advised not to drink from the streams and rivers because of bacterial infestations!

It is a generally comfortable environment.  Besides the usually pleasant day-time temperatures, there are few bothersome creatures to spoil your enjoyment of the berg.  Mosquitoes are relatively uncommon and certainly do not carry malaria, and there are no sand-flies.  Ticks may be endemic to certain areas during summer, but these can be kept at bay with insect repellent and regular, careful checking of exposed skin.  Only people who suffer from hay-fever might find the spring and summer months difficult to cope with because of the flowers and grass seeds!

As with any wilderness area there are inherent natural dangers, but in the Natal Drakensberg these are often exaggerated.  In summer the main dangers are lightning, flooded rivers and poisonous snakes - statistically in that order.  The deadly poisonous Puff Adder and Rinkals are rare and seldom seen.  The more common Berg Adder is seldom deadly but can cause considerable discomfort!  Scorpions and poisonous spiders are also seldom seen, and there are no large carnivores like lions and leopards to make you feel hunted!  In winter it is the extreme weather of a cold front which poses the greatest danger, but the snakes are usually in hibernation and the chances of flooding are only slight.  Runaway grass fires are an added danger during the dry winter months, especially from August through to October.  All of these dangers are far exceeded by those common to the sport of backpacking - falls, sprained or broken limbs, rolling or falling rocks, altitude sickness and burns caused by camping stoves.

Although many of the foothills of the Natal Drakensberg are fairly heavily populated by poor rural Zulus, the wilderness area itself is a veritable no-man's land, and the greatest threat of crime exists on your drive into and out of the berg resorts.  There are only two areas of the berg - the top of the Amphitheatre and the area above Langalibalele Pass in the Injasuti Wilderness Area - where theft is a known problem.  Throughout the rest of the wilderness area there is no doubt that you are far safer from crime than you would be in a city or town replete with police, security companies, razor-wire fences, guard dogs and panic buttons!  Although stock-theft and the smuggling of dagga is rife in many areas of the berg, so far this has not impacted on backpacking except where the South African Defense Force has set itself up in a cave or hut you might want to have booked!

The border between KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho must be one of the friendliest in the world because there is almost no-one living there!  The few Basuthu herdsmen and boys of Lesotho who you are likely to encounter on top of the escarpment during the spring and summer months are usually curious, polite, friendly and pre-occupied with herding their valuable cattle, goats and sheep.  Most cannot speak a word of English or any other language besides their own Sotho dialect.  Unless you get to the top of the escarpment via Sani Pass or Bushman's Nek, no passport is required for a backpacking trip which may weave in and out of Lesotho - provided you don't get lost and go too deep into this neighboring country!