Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Mkhomazi Wilderness area covers 54,000 hectares and forms the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. This Wilderness area is bordered by Giants Castle, in the Central Drakensberg, to the north and Cobham in the Southern Drakensberg, to the south.
It is arguably not as well-known as the Central and Northern parts of the Drakensberg Mountains and is therefore the least conventionally ‘touristy’ stretch of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg.
The Mkhomazi Wilderness area of the Drakensberg, sometimes referred to as “Little Berg”, is characterized by soaring buttresses with peaks reaching over 3000m that dominate the escarpment, deep valleys and high altitude wetlands. The scenery is ruggedly beautiful and is probably the best part of the Drakensberg for spotting wildlife, such as eland, reedbuck and baboons, to name but a few species. The area supports a huge array of rare endemic and endangered plant species and is rich in incredible bird life.
The Mkhomazi Wilderness Area incorporates two separate Nature Reserves, Highmoor Nature Reserve and Kamberg Nature Reserve. Both of these reserves have a number of hikes, some of which can be done in a few hours and others which take much longer. Both Nature Reserves also have stocked trout dams, so this part of the Drakensberg Mountains is renowned not only for its hikes, walks and scenic beauty, but also for its fly-fishing dams.
The nearest town to the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area is Nottingham Road, on the Midlands Meander, approximately 35kms away. The area between the Drakensberg Mountains and Nottingham Road has traditionally been a large farming community and as you drive the route towards the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, large dairy farms, cows and tractors are visibly present, as are many glistening fresh-water dams and rivers.
It is arguably not as well-known as the Central and Northern parts of the Drakensberg Mountains and is therefore the least conventionally ‘touristy’ stretch of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg.
The Mkhomazi Wilderness area of the Drakensberg, sometimes referred to as “Little Berg”, is characterized by soaring buttresses with peaks reaching over 3000m that dominate the escarpment, deep valleys and high altitude wetlands. The scenery is ruggedly beautiful and is probably the best part of the Drakensberg for spotting wildlife, such as eland, reedbuck and baboons, to name but a few species. The area supports a huge array of rare endemic and endangered plant species and is rich in incredible bird life.
The Mkhomazi Wilderness Area incorporates two separate Nature Reserves, Highmoor Nature Reserve and Kamberg Nature Reserve. Both of these reserves have a number of hikes, some of which can be done in a few hours and others which take much longer. Both Nature Reserves also have stocked trout dams, so this part of the Drakensberg Mountains is renowned not only for its hikes, walks and scenic beauty, but also for its fly-fishing dams.
The nearest town to the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area is Nottingham Road, on the Midlands Meander, approximately 35kms away. The area between the Drakensberg Mountains and Nottingham Road has traditionally been a large farming community and as you drive the route towards the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, large dairy farms, cows and tractors are visibly present, as are many glistening fresh-water dams and rivers.
Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve
The unspoiled Kamberg Nature Reserve was established in 1951 and is home to many different species of animals. Kamberg Nature Reserve also has two well-stocked trout dams, a huge number of different bird species, incredible mountain views and a number of different hikes of varying lengths and difficulty.
Kamberg’s main claim to fame, is the Game Pass Shelter, one of South Africa’s most important and most famous rock-art sites. The images at this site helped researchers to decipher much of the mystery of San rock art and it was the first rock art site in South Africa to receive international recognition.
Game Pass Shelter, often called the ‘Rosetta Stone’ of the Drakensberg Mountains, is a double reference to the nearby village of Rosetta and to the panel’s significance in having provided the vital key that helped ‘crack the code’ of religious symbolism which lies behind Bushman rock art.
Guided tours to Game Pass Shelter depart 3 times a day from the Kamberg Rock Art Centre and are preceded by an informative DVD display about the Bushmen and their art. The hike to the shelter takes approximately 90 minutes each way and is well worth the trip.
Gladstone’s Nose Circular Walk is another popular walk at Kamberg Nature Reserve. It is approximately 7.5kms and is an easy to moderate walk that starts from the car park at the back of the reception area. You do not need a guide for this walk, but make sure you sign the walking register before you set off.
Kamberg’s main claim to fame, is the Game Pass Shelter, one of South Africa’s most important and most famous rock-art sites. The images at this site helped researchers to decipher much of the mystery of San rock art and it was the first rock art site in South Africa to receive international recognition.
Game Pass Shelter, often called the ‘Rosetta Stone’ of the Drakensberg Mountains, is a double reference to the nearby village of Rosetta and to the panel’s significance in having provided the vital key that helped ‘crack the code’ of religious symbolism which lies behind Bushman rock art.
Guided tours to Game Pass Shelter depart 3 times a day from the Kamberg Rock Art Centre and are preceded by an informative DVD display about the Bushmen and their art. The hike to the shelter takes approximately 90 minutes each way and is well worth the trip.
Gladstone’s Nose Circular Walk is another popular walk at Kamberg Nature Reserve. It is approximately 7.5kms and is an easy to moderate walk that starts from the car park at the back of the reception area. You do not need a guide for this walk, but make sure you sign the walking register before you set off.
Highmoor Nature Reserve
Fly-fishing at Highmoor Nature Reserve in the Drakensberg
Highmoor Nature Reserve covers an area of roughly 15,000 hectares and boasts a massive variety of rare, endemic and endangered species. The terrain is largely mountains, grasslands and streams and there is the most spectacular view of the Giants Castle range on any hike in the Highmoor Nature Reserve.
Highmoor Nature Reserve is a particular favourite with trophy anglers as it is an excellent fly fishing area, boasting some of the best catches in South Africa. There are two very well-stocked and carefully managed trout dams available to a restricted number of fisherman each day. Only 6 anglers are permitted daily, so it is advisable to book a fishing permit, in advance.
If you prefer walking and hiking, Highmoor Nature Reserve is known for having the widest panoramic views of the Drakensberg and it is also one of the only places where you are actually walking on top of the foothills. There are a number of excellent rock art sites that can be visited with the help of a guide. Fulton Rock is one of these hikes and takes approximately 5 hours. It is an extremely scenic hike.
There is also a shorter hike (of about 90 minutes) to the cave of Aasvoelkrantz (Vulture Cliff) which is a double storey cave with a permanent water supply. A slightly longer hike is to Caracal Cave which overlooks the Ncibidwane River and Giants Castle. Both of these hikes can be self-guided.
If you are an avid birder, Highmoor Nature Reserve has a large variety of bird life to thrill you with. Many raptors including Lammergeyer, Cape Vulture and Jackal Buzzards are seen often as well as many water birds around the dams. It also has a single nesting site of the endangered Wattled Crane and the largest breeding colony of Bald Ibis in the Drakensberg.
Highmoor Nature Reserve is a particular favourite with trophy anglers as it is an excellent fly fishing area, boasting some of the best catches in South Africa. There are two very well-stocked and carefully managed trout dams available to a restricted number of fisherman each day. Only 6 anglers are permitted daily, so it is advisable to book a fishing permit, in advance.
If you prefer walking and hiking, Highmoor Nature Reserve is known for having the widest panoramic views of the Drakensberg and it is also one of the only places where you are actually walking on top of the foothills. There are a number of excellent rock art sites that can be visited with the help of a guide. Fulton Rock is one of these hikes and takes approximately 5 hours. It is an extremely scenic hike.
There is also a shorter hike (of about 90 minutes) to the cave of Aasvoelkrantz (Vulture Cliff) which is a double storey cave with a permanent water supply. A slightly longer hike is to Caracal Cave which overlooks the Ncibidwane River and Giants Castle. Both of these hikes can be self-guided.
If you are an avid birder, Highmoor Nature Reserve has a large variety of bird life to thrill you with. Many raptors including Lammergeyer, Cape Vulture and Jackal Buzzards are seen often as well as many water birds around the dams. It also has a single nesting site of the endangered Wattled Crane and the largest breeding colony of Bald Ibis in the Drakensberg.