Location

Drakensberg

The heights of the southern Drakensberg, the country's most imposing range, probe down into the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape province to provide a paradise for hikers, campers, climbers, fly-fishermen, bird-watchers (the raptors are special) and for anyone who wants to explore the rock-art heritage of the Bushman (or San) people and to enjoy mountain landscapes at their grandest. The area has few towns, but you'll find a scatter of pretty little upland villages and hamlets, each with its own personality, its own attractions. Among the more notable are:

Rhodes:

Charmingly Victorian in character; an atmospheric base from which to explore the wider area, either on foot or horse-back, and to try your luck and skill in the trout-streams. The hamlet is much favoured by artists and other creative folk, and by those in need of splendid isolation. One stays at the hotel or in one of the village's cottages; some of the local farms also offer accommodation. The Tiffendell ski resort can be reached either from the village (though you'll need a four-wheel drive; Ben MacDui, the area's highest peak, soars to 3001 metres above sea level) or from Barkly East (see below), which is a longer but less challenging route.

Barkly East:

About 60 kilometres to the south-west of Rhodes., established in 1874, a significant centre of the wool industry and a convenient stopover on your way to Rhodes. Don't travel between the two at night or in bad weather: the road is rough and twisty. Barkly East is especially popular among trout-fishermen; the pass linking the town with Elliot (see further on) is scenically stunning; the rail service is rather acrobatic - trains have to negotiate eight ‘reverses' on their run down the steep gradient (this is believed to be a world record). Special runs for railway enthusiasts can be arranged.

Lady Grey:

The village offers much the same as Rhodes. It has a garage, shops and a hotel.

Elliott:

A small town set against a magnificent Drakensberg backdrop. The twelve apostles - a series of weird sandstone formations - should be viewed in the dramatic light of dawn or early evening. What is believed to be the continent's longest ‘gallery' of Bushman paintings can be seen on the farm Denorbin, off the R58 from town. The R56 takes you to Ugie; along the way is the extraordinary cyclops-like Gatberg geological feature.

Maclear:

Also in the immense shadow of the Drakensberg. From the village, a road takes you up the 2623-metre high Naude's Nek (pass); another route - southwards to the Transkei region - leads past the lovely Tsitsa waterfall.

Kokstad:

On the provincial border with KwaZulu-Natal (its precise allegience has been disputed), in an area once known as Griqualand East and named after the Griqua chief Adam Kok lll. The latter settled in the area with his followers, in 1862, after an epic trek from the then Orange Free State. Kok and his wife are buried in the main street of the present town. Kostad is a fairly substantial centre with most of the amenities.

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EC - DRAKENSBERG

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Western Cape
Gauteng
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Kwazulu Natal
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