"Drakensberg Mountains" a Drakensberg Travel Page by ashique

Covering an area of 240,000ha the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is dominated by sheer cliffs, deeply incised valleys and crystal clear rivers. This is the mountain refuge of the bearded vulture, black eagle, grey rhebok, oribi and eland and last home of the San Bushmen, the hiking experiences are endless.

WILDLIFE
The Drakensberg has a diverse population of birds, mammals and reptiles. The more common larger mammals that can be found are mountain reedbuck, grey rhebok, grey duiker, eland, klipspringer, bushbuck and oribi. The main predators in the Drakensberg are leopard (found in very small numbers) black-backed jackal, caracal, serval, cape clawless otter and spotted necked otter, various species of mongoose and genet. Troops of chacma baboons, porcupines and colonies of rock hyrax are also found throughout this mountain park. The Drakensberg is home to over 300 species of birds. Thirty two of the species are endemic to Southern Africa. Some of the specials that can be found are wattled crane, cape vulture, bearded vulture, orange breasted rockjumper and yellow breasted pipit. The Drakensberg is also home to 25 species of amphibians, 18 species of lizard (six of which are endemic) and 21 species of

San Art
The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is one of the richest rock painting areas in the world. Many enthusiasts and experts have searched for paintings in the park over the last 40 years. During this time 30 000 individually painted images in 520 different rock shelters have been recorded.

There are a number of prime destinations in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park to see these paintings and have their cultural and spiritual significance interpreted for you. The Main Caves Museum at Giant's Castle is an easy half hours walk from the Giant's Castle main camp and the Battle Cave is relatively close to the Injisuthi camp. There is a new rock art centre at Kamberg with guided walks to Game Pass shelter and in late 2003 a magnificent San rock art centre is due to be opened at the new Didima Camp at Cathedral Peak.