Hiking in the Drakensbergs

Ive PMed you

#1. That's helpful. But what if others are in the same boat? Isn't easier posting the information? I thought that was the purpose of the forum!

Sorry - we're also walking in the Draks and wanted to tell OP who we are/ when we are there/ where we're going - its none of your business....

Howzit!

Your question is a bit vague. Which province? For how long? Budget? I don't think you need a guide. A lot of the hikes are within Parks Board reserves and are well signposted. Always hike in a group tho, if you are coming alone then yah contact the Natal Parks Board, they should be able to help you out.

Anyway as far as KwaZulu-Natal goes, my recommendations are:

1) Royal Natal National Park - parks board run, beautiful camping site or stay at Tendele in a rondavel or Hlalanathi down the road which is very reasonable. Great views of the Amphitheatre, well marked paths, adn hikes ranging from 1 hour to a few days from the Sentinel Car Park.
2) Mont Aux Sources
3) Injasuthi - potholed road for the last bit, but stunningly beautiful, eland in the camping ground and some great hikes.

www.drakensberg-tourism.com/drakensberg-hiking-trails.html<BR><BR>Hope that helps

#3 I understand. I agree Your personal details are none of my business. I am not interested in them and didn't suggest you post them.

But the only question the OP asked was for details on a good, local comapny. Surely that's worth posting to help others?

Hi
Thanks very much for the responses - what I'd ideally like to find is a group I can join - ideally long distance walking and camping - I don't mind where, whether Lesotho or Natal. I did some hiking through Lesotho in the early 90s and it was stunning...

Thanks!
ps retsbew was pming about a personal trip so it wouldn't be useful to anyone else for wider information...

have a look at the Otter trail as well - the most famous coastal hike in SA. Well worth it

There are of course several operators that can organise hikes in the Drakensberg. My own agency Vertical Endeavour is still in the process of registering and it will take a while before I can do anything in South Africa. You may want to use our dedicated forum on the Drakensberg to get more detailed information.

In the mean time I would reccomend visiting the Mweni area of the Berg - a very spectacular part of the Northern Berg and you can stay at the Mweni Cultural Centre, which has reasonable facilities and offers a cultural experience of the area as well as guided hikes. It is run by locals who also benefit from it - which makes it all the more worth supporting (the area is very rural). Get their number from their website and leave a message (their cell phone reception is very poor).