razzle

We're planning to be in the central Drakensburg area March 27 and 28, 2004. Does anyone have any lodging or touring recommendations? Also, are there any security issues we should be aware of?

Thanks for any help.

traci_local_in_sa

It's been some time since I was last in the Berg, but I've enjoyed Catherdral Peak (good hotel, lots of lovely walks), Champagne Sports (more aimed at families wanting sports) and Little Switzerland (more in the northern Berg, lovely hotel, great horse and walking trails).
In terms of safety be aware that the roads to many places are not great, and drive carefully. If you're concerned about political violence ahead of the election don't - you should be fine in this area as the hotspots and areas of contention are a lot closer to Durban. Also, any violence is voter on voter - and you're not a voter.

ArthurSA

I can certainly endorse Traci's comment about the Cathedral area, it's my favourite, going back to my varsity (Durban) Mt. Club and later MCSA days. These days all major roads in the 'Berg are tarred and in good condition. I'm nostalgic for time our varsity club spent something like six hours getting from Cathedral to Winterton, trying to keep a hired bus on a muddy road, but I suppose we must be thankful for progress!

Take a look at http://drakensberg.kzn.org.za/drakensberg/ and http://www.drakensberg.org.za/.

traci_local_in_sa

Arthur: were you UDW or UND? If UND what year and faculty?
I'm UND(er - The Influence), Humanities graduated in 1990.
Did you see that someone was considering UCT vs UND - horrors! Remember the "I'm From UCT" shirts?

ArthurSA

Gee Traci, you're forcing me to more or less admit my age. And how long I spent there, doing just about everything except study. (The Mt. Club was just one of a long list of clubs, sports, Rag Comm, newspaper editor, etc, etc.) Let's just say that my first year (having not been called up to the Defence force) was '64. There, I've said it! Campus and faculty? UND and mostly (thereby hangs a tale!) Chem.Eng.

I was going to say that there's also presumably a tale behind the "I'm From UCT" shirts, but that I didn't know it, it was way after my time. But I think the penny has just dropped!

(Apologies for our off-topic "call back the past".)

razzle

Thanks for the info and I enjoyed the dialog....seems like you did as well. In the meantime, I've opted to go to the Blyde Canyon instead. Tough choice, determined ultimately by distance factors.

ArthurSA

Blyde River Canyon is good, as is a lot of the surrounding area. But IMO hardly a contest vs the 'Berg. A very different kind of experience.

My own experiences of the Canyon area are that you can (e.g.) got to the edge of the Canyon, say "wow, that's cool/awesome/pretty" (substitute adjective of choice), then return to your car and move on to the next "sight". And yes, the overall scenery, as in many parts of S.A. is nice.

But the splendour of the Drakensberg is with you at all times, whether driving or walking.

But you'll have a good time, enjoy!