The Drakensberg (The Dragon Mountians)

The highest mountain range in Southern Africa is the Drakensberg Mountain, and is located along the Eastern border of Lesotho and South Africa. It reaches a height of 3,482 m or 11,420 ft, wow that’s high and is 1,000km in length! In Zulu, the Drakensburg is called uKhahlamba, which means “barrier of spears”. The range has many different spectacular sections with numerous hiking trails to explore. Some of these sections are Cathedral Peak, The Amphitheater, Giant’s Castle, and many more. Throughout the Berg there are probably hundreds or maybe even thousands of caves, and in these caves you may find cave paintings painted by the Sani people (bushman). Another significant historical fact or event of the Berg is the Great Trek of the Voortrekkers. When the Dutch farmers who had arrived in the Cape, decided to migrate further inland, they traveled through the berg with their families and livestock; carting all their belongings in wagons through the treacherous regions of the Berg to start anew.
So this past weekend I had the opportunity to go camping and hiking in the Berg and I jumped at the opportunity. I had be eager to spend some time hiking and exploring in the Berg since I arrived here, and finally I had time to organize myself to go. So on Saturday morning I was picked up and met up with other friends and new friends; finished packing everything in vehicles and headed off. We were headed to Highmoor, which is located just south of Gaint’s Castle. My friend Lisa, who organized the weekend, told us that Highmoor is the highest camp site in the Berg at 2000m in altitude!
Once we arrived at the camp site, we set up our tents and ate a quick lunch. At about that same time the last of our group arrived, and we decided to go for a walk down the winding road to take in the spectacular landscape. Along the way we came across large stones that we stopped and climbed, flowers and waterfalls we photographed, baboons fighting and chasing each other and ended up along a stream where we slipped off our shoes and enjoyed a refreshing walk through

the water.

Protea (SA National Flower)

Highmoor

Once we arrived back to camp, the others in our group who had arrived earlier and had gone off on their own hike were back at camp. The rest of the day which was late afternoon and evening, we chatted and then finally got the braai going for our supper.
Sunday morning I woke up and my feet were freezing, I hadn’t put socks on the night before and it had gotten quiet chilly over night. After everyone had gotten up, changed and eaten and cleaned up breakfast we started off for our hike. From the start of the hike we had an awesome view of Giant’s Castle. It is a huge mountain ridge! What was even neat was the little dam called “Kamloop’s Dam” that we walked past and in the water reflection was the Giant’s Castle. Our hike was only about 3 km, but we ended up at a waterfall and a double cave that was really nice. Some of us brought our swimming costumes, and I changed into mine and went for a dip. It was great fun and the hike was awesome! I love going on adventures here. God has certainly created a masterpiece of beauty.

Giant's Castle with reflection in Kamloop's Dam