The impressive bulk of the mountains the Zulus called Ukahlamba - the barrier of spears - and the Voortrekkers called the Drakensberg - the dragon mountain - is an impressive rampart of sandstone and basalt that separates the well watered Indian Ocean coast from the dryer, harsher interior. Most of the escarpment falls under the Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park. This beautiful montane grassland is bright green in summer after the rains and fades to a delicate blonde, often with snowy highlights, in winter.

It's a great hiking destination with a range of trails from walks of an hour or two to long epics such as the Drakensberg Traverse, which takes about three to four weeks. Fabulous rock art tells the story of the San, or Bushmen, who lived here till bigger, stronger, more aggressive peoples pushed them aside. With over 2,500 flowering plants, many of which are endemic, and game such as baboons, eland and other antelope you'll never lack for something to look at. The birding is great, too, with the rare Lammergeier, or bearded vulture, being one of the real mega-ticks of the area.

The mountain slopes offer great paragliding - particularly at Bulwer and Oliviershoek - and adventurous ice climbers tackle the frozen waterfalls in winter. Four by four enthusiasts and keen mountain bikers enjoy the challenge of Sani Pass and others, while those who prefer a less technological form of travel can enjoy pony trekking in the hills. Dams and streams are stocked with trout and some, such as the Sterkfontein Dam, harbour the even more challenging indigenous yellow fish.
Golf courses, spas, and a range of cute coffee shops, funky craft shops, art studios, breweries, cheese factories and other rural delights complete the list of attractions. There is truly, something for everyone.

The uKhahlamba – Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the pristine steep-sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute to the beauty of the site. The site's diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially birds and plants. This spectacular natural site also contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and diversity of subject and in their depiction of animals and human beings. They represent the spiritual life of the San people who no longer live in this region.

Justification for Inscription

* Criterion (i): The rock art of the Drakensberg is the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara and is outstanding both in quality and diversity of subject.
* Criterion (iii): The San people lived in the mountainous Drakensberg area for more than four millennia, leaving behind them a corpus of outstanding rock art which throws much light on their way of life and their beliefs.

Source: UNESCO

The Drakensberg Boys' Choir School was founded in 1965, with 20 students. The dream? To build something that would rival the Vienna Boys' Choir. But not in a European city steeped in history and tradition. In the boondocks. In the middle of the magnificently scenic Champagne Valley in the Central Drakensberg.

They call them South Africa's singing ambassadors. And if you're planning a trip to South Africa this is something you just have to put on your itinerary. Yes, yes I know you're going to Cape Town and you want to do a wildlife safari but this is not to be missed. They'll give you goosebumps and they'll make you cry. And you'll never forget them. They tour and compete internationally every year.

Now, they take in about 100 children a year. It's not that easy to get in and auditions are held countrywide. They get a first-class education and a very active outdoor lifestyle in their rugged Drakensberg paradise. So think crisp mountain air. Big blue skies. In the winter, snow-capped peaks. And exquisite tenor harmonies.

Where, when and how much? Let's start with where. Well once you've ticked the Big 5 and had your fill of Table Mountain, you're going to need to take a little detour into KwaZulu Natal. Find Route 600 into the Central Drakensberg and you're there. When? Every Wednesday afternoon during school terms at 3:30. (Although it's a relatively big 600-seater auditorium in the middle of nowhere, booking is essential - phone (+27 (0)36 468 1012). How much? R75. That's about $10 U.S.

And the music? Well the first half of the 3-hour concert is classical. Mozart, Bach, Beethoven - they do the gamut. Then hang onto your seat and prepare yourself for diversity. It could be Queen, music from the movies or gut-wrenching African rhythms and harmonies. A spellbinding and enthralling performance.

South Africa's Singing Ambassadors - The Drakensberg Boys' Choir. They Will Rock You!

About the Author

Accommodation in the Drakensberg? Brian Kemp owns Halls Country House, a retreat in the Drakensberg mountains.