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NName any type of adventure. Go on, do it! Name it and the Drakensberg mountains are up for it. This mountain range, which is also the highest in South Africa, was made for adventure-seekers. It’s like a playground for the young of heart and the challenge to “tame the Dragon” is never satisfied.
Whether you’re a tame hiker, extreme mountain biker or vertigo seeking climber, the Dragon will have you coming back for more and more. It's also the perfect spot to train your little ones from a young age to let the adventure find them.
Here’s your list of 21 adventures to get up to in KwaZulu-Natal’s Drakensberg.
FLYING
1. King swing or zipline
What: A 17m free-fall from a treetop platform after which you swing gracefully or zipline to the next platform, 175 meters away. You have to climb to the top of the platform, which is said to be as thrilling as the swing and zipline itself. Vertigo alert!
For the younger folk (2 -7 years) there’s a milder zipline with less steep gradients available.
Where: All out Adventures “playground”, 360km from Johannesburg. GPS Coordinates: S 28 38. 617 E 029 01.092
How Much: R110 per person
Child friendly rating: 9/10
Click here for more information
2. Hot air ballooning
What: This is one of the most romantic outings for adventurous couples. The ride takes you over the majestic mountains to have a bird’s eye view of the highest peak in SA. Breathtaking.
Where: Just outside of Winterton GPS Coordinates: S28 49.647 E29 27.927
How Much: R2 000 – R6 000 per person
Child friendly rating: 7/10 [Children from 1.2m up are welcome]
Click here for more information
Did You Know?
TThe massive Drakensberg mountain range forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
3.Paragliding
What: Using thermal drafts in the air, an instructor takes you more than 280 meters up in the sky to view the Drakensberg from above. Even if you’re not directly above the Drakensberg, you’ll be 1 840 meters above sea level!
Where: Bulwer Village GPS Coordinates: S29 49.000 E29 45.870
How Much: R950 per person
Child friendly rating: 9/10 [they have a harness for very small children]
Click here for more information
21 things to do in the Drakensberg
44. White water river rafting
https://www.instagram.com/p/kFdToOx6ay/?utm_source=ig_embed
What: Get ready to be drenched! This is one of the best character and team-building activities out there as your true colours show when you’re paddling for your life! It’s great fun too, though.
Where: There are a few places in the central Drakensberg; Tugela River and Umkomaas River are but a few of the many.
How Much: R350 – R650 per person
Child friendly rating: 6/10 [depending on the route, but children minimum 11 years old may participate]
5. Afriski
What: This ski-resort in Lesotho’s Drakensberg equals any one in Europe or Canada. Due to our very hot summers, the ski slopes are only operational during the peak winter months, so plan ahead.
Where: Afriski Resort, 75km from the South African border. S28 49 21.52 E28 43 38.64
How Much: Varies between R200 – R3 000, depending on what you do for how long
Child friendly rating: 10/10 [there are beginner and kiddy classes]
Click here for more information
6. 4x4 escarpment
What: For those who like to play dirty with their off-road vehicles, this is the perfect playground. Terrains range from baby steps to full on vertical climbing and falling. Sink your teeth in the various routes and passes available.
Where: Mike’s Pass, Sani Pass, Thule Beacon Trail
How Much: Free
Child friendly rating: 5/10
Click here for more information
7. Quad biking
What: An extreme, but guided tour through the Dragon on quad bikes. The tours generally take 2 hours to complete and meander through Montusi Gorge, Rocky Pass and a Waterfall challenge.
Where: All out Adventures “playground”, 360km from Johannesburg. GPS Coordinates: S 28 38. 617 E 029 01.092
How Much: R490 per adult, R100 per child passenger
Child friendly rating: 9/10
Click here for more information
8. Horse riding
What: Experience the beauty of the Drakensberg as you ride through it on horseback.
Where: Sans Souci Farm, Kamberg Valley, Lower Drakensberg. GPS coordinates: 29S 18 58, 29E 43 23
How Much: R250 per person
Child friendly rating: 9/10
Click here for more information 9MTB
9. All out Adventure MTB Trails
What: MTB trails are found all over the Drakensberg, so these are but a few. This is one of the best ways to experience this extraordinary terrain – by getting down and dirty with it!
Where: All out Adventures “playground”, 360km from Johannesburg. GPS Coordinates: S 28 38. 617 E 029 01.092
How Much: R100 per person per day; R180 per person for a multi-day trail
Child friendly rating: 9/10
Click here for more information
Other MTB trails include:
10. Sani Pass Classic MTB Trail
11. Lake Eland
12. Sani spoors
13. Holla Trail
14. HIKING
What: As with the MTB, there are so, so many hikes and trails to choose from. The following ones are but a handful which will surely get your blood racing. Some are family-friendly (FF), others perhaps not so much…
15.Amphitheatre hike with Chain Ladders
16. Cascades Trail – FF
17. Fairy Glen – FF
18. Gudu Falls
19. Tugela
20. Abseiling
What: Fancy going down the longest commercially operated abseil in the world? Then this is the place to be. The abseil goes down right next to a massive waterfall… AWESOME!
Where: Semonkong Lodge, Lesotho GSP coordinates: S29 50 35.3 E28 02 36.4
How Much: R825
Child friendly rating: 4/10
Click here for more information
21. Ice climbing
What: Yup, you read that right. You can actually climb the frozen waterfalls during high winter season in the high Drakensberg. Throw on your parkas, hikers.
Where: Peak High Mountaineering, Hilton
How Much: Price on Request
Child friendly rating: 5/10
Click here for more information
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