Luxury Drakensberg Mountains Tours made for you
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The highest mountain range in southern Africa
Known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or ‘barrier of spears’, the dramatic escarpment of the Drakensberg Mountains rises into the air to form a natural border between South Africa and Lesotho. Its tabletop peaks, windswept plains and cascading waterfalls offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Hike past winding streams and jagged basalt buttresses. Go horse riding through rolling green foothills. And get your adrenaline flowing on a white-water rafting adventure along the Tugela River. As you explore, keep an eye out for grazing antelope, soaring raptors and other wildlife.
This region is also home to the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see ancient San rock paintings in caves and on sandstone overhangs. Some of this traditional art dates back approximately 4,000 years, while other images are as recent as the 19th century. Contact us to start planning your trip to the Drakensberg Mountains today.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
Explore epic landscapes
Set out on private hikes through dramatic peaks and lush valleys, ride horses across grassy plains, and go white-water rafting along the waters of the Tugela River.
See ancient San rock art
Travel with a private guide to sandstone caves and overhangs adorned with rock paintings by the indigenous San people that date back thousands of years.
Cross the Sani Pass
Take a guided tour of this high-altitude mountain pass in a 4×4, navigating steep gradients and switchbacks to visit the landlocked Kingdom of Lesotho and the highest pub in Africa.
Marvel at the Drakensberg Amphitheatre
Hike to this massive, curved basalt cliff in the Royal Natal National Park to enjoy sweeping views over the plateau and watch the Tugela Falls plunge down the rock face.
Luxury accommodation in Drakensberg Mountains
There are many incredible places to stay in Drakensberg Mountains. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Discover more of South Africa
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.
Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.
Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.
KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.
Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, bordering Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there are malaria-free areas.
Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.
Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.
The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit the Drakensberg Mountains
The best time for a luxury Drakensberg Mountains tour is in autumn (April to May) or spring (September to October). These months bring pleasant temperatures and good visibility for hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Summer (November to March) can be hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. Winter (May to August) is usually dry and sunny but can get very cold.
Hiking
April–May and September–October
Wildflowers
October
Snow-capped peaks
July–August
Plan your trip to Drakensberg Mountains
Whatever you want from your adventure in Drakensberg Mountains, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Ask our experts
When is the best time of year to visit the Drakensberg Mountains?
The best time of year to visit the Drakensberg Mountains is in spring (September to October) or autumn (April to May). This is because these seasons offer the most pleasant temperatures and clearest visibility for hiking. You can also enjoy the wildflowers blooming in the spring or the colours of the foliage in autumn.
How many days should I spend in the Drakensberg?
We generally recommend spending three or four days in the Drakensberg Mountains. This gives you enough time to see the main sights. However, if you want to tackle a multi-day hiking route then you might prefer to stay for a week.
Can I combine the Drakensberg with a safari and Cape Town?
Yes, you can combine time in the Drakensberg Mountains with a safari and trip to Cape Town. From Cape Town, the simplest option is to catch an internal flight to Durban and travel by car from there to Drakensberg (which takes 2-3 hours). Afterwards, you can enjoy a luxury safari in the Kruger, Sabi Sands or KwaZulu-Natal.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
