Hiking in the Drakensberg

For stunning scenery and excellent walking from welcoming and comfortable lodges, the Drakensberg can’t be beaten. It takes about three to four hours to drive from either Johannesburg or Durban, then the Drakensberg are yours to explore, either alone or with a guide from your chosen lodge. Four nights gives you time to explore the region, though you may be tempted to stay longer.

Trip information

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Included

5 days car hire (Group B with aircon), accommodation and meals as shown above, Sani Pass tour.

Not included

Flights, visas, travel insurance, fuel and other car related costs, drinks, tips.

Is it for you?

This is a wonderful trip for lovers of the outdoors or stunning scenery.

Best time

Winter is cold and snowy. Spring is dry and cold/cool. Summer is rainy and hot. Autumn is warm with some rain. The weather is very changeable and storms can arrive rapidly. Winter nights can be very cold.

Getting there

There are direct flights from Europe to Johannesburg (about 10½ hours direct) and sometimes Cape Town (about 11 hours direct). Return flights from the UK cost from about £500 plus taxes.

Weather and highlights

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- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Cloudy
- Rain
- Sunny with Cloud
- Sunny with Cloud
- Sunny with Cloud
- Sunny with Cloud
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Rain

Min Temp

- 15
- 15
- 10
- 10
- 5
- 0
- 0
- 0
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 15

Max Temp

- 35
- 33
- 30
- 30
- 25
- 25
- 23
- 23
- 25
- 30
- 34
- 35

Dramatic mountin scenery.
Drive up the Sani Pass, one of the best views in the country.
Great hiking territory.

Itinerary

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Duration: 5 days (+/-)

Day 1:
Collect your hire car in Durban or Johannesburg and drive to the Southern Drakensberg. Overnight hotel. (D)
Day 2:
An early start today as you will be collected for a day trip up Sani Pass into Lesotho. Explore the region, meet local Basotho and have lunch in the highest pub in Africa! (B,L,D)
Day 3:
Travel to the Northern Drakensberg via Howick and Bergville as you travel to your next hotel. (FB or B,D depending on hotel chosen).
Day 4:
A day to relax and enjoy the area, perhaps with hikes or horse rides. (FB or B,D)
Day 5:
Continue on your trip, or end in Durban or Johannesburg. If driving to Johannesburg, we suggest going via Clarence, an artist'’s Mecca.

Pricing guidelines for South Africa

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £600 to £800 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). South Africa combines well with Botswana, Mauritius and Mozambique.

For each accommodation on this website you will find an indication of the price. The bands are based on the price per person per night at peak season and are represented by the following values for this country:
	£50 to £100
	£100 to £200
	£200 to £300
	£300 to £500
	Over £500

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
1 week in the Western Cape (eg Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Cedarberg etc) using good guest houses & hotels, and with a hire car.Between £500 and £1000+
1 week safari based at private lodges or tented camps (for example in Kruger, Madikwe, Hluhluwe ...)Between £1000 and £3000+
2 week safari and beach holidayBetween £1800 and £3000+
2 week Kruger and Cape holidayBetween £1800 and £3000+

South Africa