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Compiled and illustrated: COBUS PRINSLOO, Graphics24

Fauna & ora


The property is an important
endemic bird area and, with its
species richness, it contains
signicant natural habitats for the
conservation of biological diversity.
It also harbours endangered
species such as these below:
Geographic area
The park covers an area of 242 813
hectares, about the size of
Luxembourg spanning parts of
Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal.
It is the largest protected area
along the Great Escarpment of
southern Africa and is famous for its
natural beauty.
The escarpment is a plateau with
erosion-resistant upper surfaces,
so it looks like a range of
mountains from below.
The upper formations mainly
consist of basalt, while the
lower formations consist of
sandstone and mudstone.
These were formed by rivers
and wind between 150
million and 250 million
years ago
SOUTH AFRICA
LESOTHO
KwaZulu-Natal
Great
Escarpment
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transboundary site composed of the uKhahlamba
Drakensberg National Park in SA and the Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho. It was added
to the World Heritage List on November 30 2000, described by Unesco as having exceptional
natural beauty. The area is recognised as a global centre of plant diversity and an endemic
bird area, and is also on the List of Wetlands of International Importance
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transboundary site composed of the uKhahlamba
Drakensberg National Park in SA and the Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho. It was added
to the World Heritage List on November 30 2000, described by Unesco as having exceptional
natural beauty. The area is recognised as a global centre of plant diversity and an endemic
bird area, and is also on the List of Wetlands of International Importance
Cape vulture
Endemic to
southern Africa, it
nests on cliffs and
lays only one egg
per year
Bearded vulture
It was formerly
persecuted and
hunted for
trophies
Maloti minnow
This small sh,
found only in
this park, is
critically
endangered
Part of the Great Escarpment
Thabana Ntlenyana
(highest point in SA)
Sehlabathebe
National Park
Himeville
Sani Pass
Royal
National Park
Winterton
Bergville
Durban
Pietermaritzburg
uKhahlamba Drakensberg
World Heritage Site
Giants Castle
uKhahlamba
Drakensberg Park
Khoisan cave paintings
There are numerous caves in the
more easily eroded sandstone
containing rock paintings done by the
Khoisan (Bushmen) who lived here for
at least 4 000 years. The rock art is
the largest collection of such work in
the world, with some 20 000 rock
paintings at 500 different caves and
overhanging sites between the
Drakensberg Royal Natal National
Park and Bushmans Nek.
Some of the most accesible sites
include the open-air Bushman Cave
Museum in the Giants Castle Reserve,
Cathedral Peak-Mdelelelo Wilderness
Area, Ndedema Gorge (with some
3 900 paintings) and Bushmans Nek.
The Royal Natal National Park offers a
hike to the Sigubudu Valley with some
of the rarest Khoisan paintings.
Rock painting experts contend that
Khoisan art is among the worlds most
sophisticated art forms. Subject
matter includes human gures, eland
antelopes and therienthropes (the
transformation from human to animal)
Sources: Unesco.org, Wikipedia, Southafrica.net, TRC.org.Is; Photos: Piet Human, Ian Carbutt
N3
N3
N3
nnow
sh,
Tugela Falls
Cathedral Peak
Sani Pass
Hiking and camping
This natural site is especially
popular for its accessible plateau,
and numerous passes and slopes
an ideal landscape for some of the
best hiking experiences, including
guided day hikes and overnight
adventure trips. For further
information, go to kznwildlife.com

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