South Africa: New nature reserve opens in KwaZulu-Natal!

KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is home to a new nature reserve. The 6 500-hectare Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve in the Drakensberg mountains, which was formally gazetted on 18 April 2024, connects the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal to the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State.  
The grasslands in the new nature reserve include some of South Africa's most endangered vegetation types, such as the Income Sandy Grassland and the Mabela Sandy Grassland. It is also an important high altitude water catchment area, which straddles the border of the Orange River basin – the largest water resource in South Africa. ´
The Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve is made up of 19 properties owned by 11 private landowners. It includes several established resorts which have been welcoming holidaymakers for decades. The new nature reserve will be managed by the Northern Drakensberg Landowners Association under a 10-year protected area management plan which is a legal requirement of the declaration. The management of the nature reserve aims to integrate environmental protection with ongoing economic activities and works with communities, instead of excluding them from the protected area.

KwaZulu-Natal: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has temporarily closed the Didima Resort in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site! [update]

update (08 October 2020): Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife just announced that the Didima Resort in the Cathedral Peak valley of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site will reopen on 09 October 2020.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, has announced that the Didima Resort in the Cathedral Peak valley of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site has been temporarily closed to the public until 30 October 2020. During that time, all day visitor activities including hiking and overnight accommodation at the resort will not be allowed.
Didima Resort is set in the Drakensberg foothills and is surrounded by scenically beautiful grasslands, streams, waterfalls and craggy cliffs. The Resort is themed to the San People and their rock art. The accommodation style and layout follow a symbolic expression of the San culture and way of life. Didima Resort is a four-hour drive from Durban and five hours from Johannesburg via the N3.

Drakensberg Amphitheatre: KZN Wildlife issues set of safety precautions!

Following the recent attacks on hikers/campers (end of April 2016) in the Drakensberg Amphitheatre region, KZN Wildlife has issued a set of safety precautions all visitors to the region should be aware of.

• Do not camp anywhere on the main Amphitheatre "bowl" or major paths. Rather choose a valley well away from the main trails and set up camp uphill, so that you have the advantage of high ground.
• Do not set up tents when you are being watched. Generally the culprits will hang around on the ridges above hiking parties in the late afternoons. If you are being watched, keep moving and don't set up camp anywhere near them.
• Do not set up camp near huts or areas of obvious habitation.
• Be friendly and polite to those you meet, but firm. Don't display cameras and other valuables openly if you can help it.
• A party size of three or more is recommended.
• A watch system at night can be exhausting but might be a good option for known trouble spots.
• Going with a guide or experienced porters helps tremendously as they can often spot trouble and some speak the local language.
• Keep all your belongings in the tent with you, and tie your boots to your pack or sleeping bag to avoid them being taken without your knowledge.
• Consider putting survival items such as a space blanket, cell phones and boots into a smaller daypack or jacket that can be quickly retrieved if need be.

The current modus operandi of the suspected attackers at the Amphitheatre area is as follows:

• Aggressive begging for food or money at the Chain ladders. Some hikers have had stones thrown at them when descending after refusing to give food or money.
• Shepherds watching hiking parties late afternoon when they set up camp to see what can be stolen. Attacks then generally occur around 23:00 to 03:00.
• Some tents are cut open and items stolen.

The Amphitheatre is located in the Northern Drakensberg and forms part of the Royal Natal National Park. It is over 5,000m in length and has precipitous cliffs rising approximately 1,220 metres along its entire length. The Amphitheatre is regarded as one of the most impressive cliff faces on earth.

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse in 41hrs 49min! (video)

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is one of the toughest hikes in the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa. The approx. 205km - 220km hike, which starts Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek and ends at the Bushman's Nek Border Post, has no prescribed route, but certain checkpoints must be completed along the way. These checkpoints are all above 3,000m and include the highest point in South Africa (Mafadi) as well as the highest point in Southern Africa (Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho). The Drakensberg Grand Traverse takes experienced hikes usually six to 12 days to complete. Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel, two South African ultra trail runners, had a different goal as the started speed hiking the trail at the end of March 2014. Their goal was to break the old record of 60hrs 29min to complete the trail. And they did it in just 41hrs 49min! Congrats Ryan & Ryno!



Drakensberg Grand Traverse checkpoints:

1. start: Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek (elevation: 2,625m | 0km)
2. Mont-Aux-Sources (3,282m | 8km)
3. Cleft peak (3,277m | 55km)
4. Champagne Castle (3,377m | 78km)
5. Mafadi (3,451m | 92km)
6. Giants Castle (3,314m | 118km)
7. Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482m | 145km)
8. end: Bushman's Nek Border Post (1,974m | 205km)

South Africa: Tiffindell Ski Resort to host international competitions from Winter 2014

Great news for the Tiffindell Ski Resort. South Africa's only ski and snowboarding resort, located on the slopes of the 3001m Ben McDui Peak in the Eastern Cape, has been approved by the International Ski Federation (FIS) to host international slalom competitions. In a statement, the resort said the certification would give an enormous boost to competitive skiing in South Africa by enabling local competitors to gain international ranking points without having to travel overseas. Tiffindell Ski Resort plans to host their first international events from the 2014 winter season.
Tiffindell Ski Resort is situated in the Southern Drakensberg equidistant from the valley communities of Rhodes and Wartrail, which are 60km and 77km from Barkly East respectively, at 2720m above sea level. Tiffindell offers slope lengths of around 1.3km in total, state of the art snowmaking and grooming equipment, ski lifts, restaurant, ski shop, ski school, conference facilities and accommodation for over 150 guests.

South Africa: Drakensberg Mountains time lapse video

There is actually not much to say about the following time lapse video of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa except for "take yourself three minutes, swith the video to fullscreen, sit back and enjoy". Kudos to photographer Martin Harvey for the video!

South Africa: Sani Lodge Backpackers is the 2nd FTTSA-certified accommodation in KwaZulu Natal!

Sani Lodge Backpackers, a backpackers on the famous Sani Pass to Lesotho bordering the uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site, is the second accommodation tourism business to become Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)-certified in KwaZulu Natal. Sani Lodge Backpackers is one of the oldest owner run backpackers in the country that offers good value they offer while also contributing to sustainable tourism.

FTTSA certification is an independent endorsement of fair and responsible tourism practice in South Africa. It is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Certification is offered on a voluntary basis to providers of tourist accommodation, activities and attractions.

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Of the various practices reviewed, FTTSA looks for evidence that the business supports community investment as a developmental tool in relation to the business’ unique context. For example, FTTSA investigates efforts made by the business to support the local economy. Sani Lodge Backpackers makes significant efforts towards this, not only through permanent employment of most people from the local area but also by assisting entrepreneurs and communities by allowing them to provide products to their tours for which they are paid. This is exemplified in their Eastern Lesotho village tours, where over 60 families in the Matsaoing district of Eastern Lesotho benefit directly from the tour by payments made to them for services rendered in the fields of accommodation and food, dancing and traditional culture, traditional healer and primary school visits as well as pony trekking. Since their longer tours started in 2005, over R1 million has flowed directly to grassroots tourism enterprises and service providers around Lesotho and allowed local people to showcase their culture and take a real pride in it!

One of FTTSA’s key principles is Respect for Environment, which can be measured in relation to planning, operational management, and investment in conservation activities. Sani Lodge Backpackers rehabilitated their badly degraded property by eradicating the invasive bramble and are making inroads on the other alien species such as wattle, pine and eucalyptus. They propagate their own indigenous plants, and have replaced the alien species with thousands of indigenous tree and shrub seedlings in an on-going program. They have also been at the forefront of fighting environmentally unfriendly and unsustainable development projects in their area and are currently deeply involved in trying to prevent the destruction of one of Southern Africa’s most unique treasures, the Sani Pass and the road to Mokhotlong.

This is what owners of Sani Lodge Backpackers’ Simone and Russel Suchet said about being FTTSA-certified, "Sani Lodge Backpackers is honoured and excited at being FTTSA-certified, joining the portfolio of other certified establishments allows us to join a group of tourism establishments which we are delighted to be associated with. It is a vindication and reward for our efforts over nearly 20 years."

Safari field guide courses in South Africa

Six month to Full year course - online booking
If you are looking for a career that will be an adventure, or a hands-on experience in the bush that you will never forget, this course is for you. The 6 month and full year courses are the ideal platform for a successful career in the African game lodge industry. Over the years, field guiding has become more specialised and sophisticated. It has become a career, which is increasingly viable in larger areas of Southern Africa as tourism continues to grow, but also one which demands dedication and education.
This course has been designed to develop highly skilled professionals in this exciting area of field guiding and lodge management, by providing a well-rounded and specialised education. Students spend six months practical and academic training on campus. The curriculum includes bush skills such as shooting, 4x4 driving and bush knowledge such as conservation, reserve management, geology and animal behavior. The lodge management section includes supervisory skills and many varied aspects of how to work in lodges in the African Bush.

 The academic curriculum is accredited by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (the industries leading independent body on the training and operation of field guides throughout South Africa), the South Africa Qualifications Board and the Hospitality, Education and Sports Training Authority. The curriculum has been developed by accomplished industry experts. Unlike many other training providers, this course gives students a regular exposure to working and guiding around dangerous game, such as Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah and Hippo.
This is invaluable experience and gives students excellent grounding for placements and possible future employment in ‘Big Five’ reserves. The course is run from two campuses in the Limpopo province in the northeastern region of South Africa, an area famous for its big game and dramatic scenery of the African bush and the Drakensberg mountains.

A day in the life of a student

• 05h30 Meet in the kitchen for coffee, then depart for the morning game activity (either a walk or a drive)
• 08h00 - Return for Breakfast
• 09h00 - Lectures
• 12h00 - Lunch / Free time
• 15h30 - Depart for the afternoon game activity.

Six month to Full year course - online booking >>

Video: Heights of Southern Africa

Ready for a good doze of daydreaming? Looking for some minutes to relax? Let this video inspire you - Heights of Southern Africa!



All pics in the video were taken in South Africa and Lesotho. Kudos to Pierre Tremblay who shot the pics and compiled the video!

South Africa: Baz Bus stops Swaziland route from 01 April 2011

South Africa's backpacker bus "Baz Bus" is changing it's timetable and routes from 01 April 2011.

• Baz Bus will no longer operate between Johannesburg/Pretoria & Swaziland (in both directions) > no more stops in Nelspruit (Kruger NP) anymore!
• Baz Bus will no longer operate between Swaziland & Durban (in both directions)
• Baz Bus will now operate between Johannesburg/Pretoria and Durban, via Drakensberg, 5 times a week (in both directions).

Days of departure between Port Elizabeth & Durban and between Durban & Johannesburg (via Drakensberg) will change as follows:

• Port Elizabeth to Durban : Departs MON, WED, THURS, FRI, SUN
  (i.e. Departs Daily except: TUES & SAT)
• Durban to Port Elizabeth: Departs TUES, WED, THURS, SAT, SUN
  (i.e. Departs Daily except: MON & FRI)
• Durban to Johannesburg/Pretoria: Departs MON, TUES, THURS, FRI, SUN
  (i.e. Departs Daily except: WED & SAT)
• Johannesburg/Pretoria to Durban: Departs MON, TUES, WED, FRI, SAT
  (i.e. Departs Daily except: THURS & SUN)
• click here to download the new timetable (pdf) - valid from 01 April 2011

Please note the following important information:

• The last bus departing from Johannesburg/Pretoria to Swaziland: Wednesday 30 March 2011
• The last bus departing from Swaziland to Durban: Thursday 31 March 2011
• The last bus departing from Durban to Swaziland: Wednesday 30 March 2011
• The last bus departing from Swaziland to Johannesburg/Pretoria: Thursday 31 March 2011 

Alternatives? The best thing to do right now would be to contact the hostels in Swaziland directly and enquiry about alternative transport.

online car hire on TravelComments.com >>

Kruger National Park tours ex Johannesburg/Pretoria >>

Drakensberg Mtns: The Maluti Cave Hiking Trail

The Maluti Cave Hiking Trail is located in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality, in the QwaQwa area of South Africa's Free State province. The trail offers a choice of either two, three or four days of hiking. The trail starts outside the town of Phuthaditjaba and runs through the valleys of the Kgotjwane River and its tributaries, up the Drakensberg escarpment and surrounding foothills. Hiking is possible all year round, with April and May being the best months. Pls visit the trails website for more information.




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accommodation in the QwaQwa area >>