Salute the sunrise with the world at your feet. The world is yours to wonder at in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, one of South Africa’s prime ecotourist destinations and a World Heritage Site. In this awesome mountain range you can savour the ultimate freedom of great open spaces in a world of gigantic peaks and buttresses, of towering sandstone cliffs and hidden valleys, virgin forests and crystal clear rivers. The diverse scenic splendour includes the famous Amphitheatre at Royal Natal and the magnificent southern Drakensberg scenery at Cobham and Lotheni. This park is home to black eagle, bearded vulture and herds of eland, besides the priceless legacy of many other indigenous plants and animals. A wealth of recreational opportunities matches the scenic splendour around you. There are magnificently laid out day walks from all the major camps, the self-guided Giants Cup Hiking Trail and a fabulous wealth of rock art sites to rival any in the world. From a gentle amble along a self-guided trail or peacefully fly fishing in a river or dam, experiences extend to the rigours of rock-climbing or mountain biking for those with a taste for the high adventures of life. A host of other pastimes includes camping, hiking, bird watching, swimming, riding, photography, painting or simply revelling in the clear mountain air.

Accommodation options in the park are equally diverse. These range from luxury lodges at Giant’s Castle and Royal Natal’s Thendele or fully equipped cottages and chalets at Giant’s Castle, Didima, Injisuthi, Kamberg, Lotheni and Royal Natal to scenic campsites with well-appointed picnic and ablution facilities at Royal Natal, Injisuthi, Lotheni, Cathedral Peak and Monks Cowl. For the footloose and fancy free there is also a choice of rustic mountain huts and over-night caves in places like Injisuthi and Giant’s Castle, which can be booked for hiking and back-packing. General overnight camping is allowed in most areas. Two hours from Durban and four from Gauteng.