The Drakensberg - Soul of the Zulu Kingdom
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Helpful Hints for Drakensberg Visitors
zoom Mountain road through the snow Photo: K Kohler |
Climate
The Drakensberg experiences hot summer days and
refreshingly cool evenings. However its winters are
extremely cold, sometimes with heavy snowfalls.
Please remember, if hiking, climbing or just going for a
walk in any of the Drakensberg Mountain reserves, that you
must sign the Mountain Rescue Register upon entering the
reserve. This is for your own safety, and also makes it
easier and faster for the rescue team to locate you should
you have a problem.
The following table provides the maximum and minimum
temperatures in centigrade and average rainfall figures for
the Royal Natal section of the Drakensberg:
MONTH MAX TEMP MIN TEMP AVERAGE RAIN (mm) JANUARY 26.2 15 241 FEBRUARY 25.8 14 231.5 MARCH 24.2 12 171.2 APRIL 22.6 9 68.1 MAY 20.4 5 26.1 JUNE 18.8 2 16.1 JULY 18.3 3 11.5 AUGUST 20.2 5 34.1 SEPTEMBER 24.4 9 56.6 OCTOBER 23.8 11 108.5 NOVEMBER 25 12 151.5 DECEMBER 26 14 195.1
Although summers are warm, snow has been experienced in the mountains in every month of the year so be sure you take appropriate clothing and equipment for your stay.
Distances
To Estcourt from:
Cape Town 1413km
Durban 165km
Johannesburg 423km
Port Elizabeth 943km
To Underberg from:
Durban 199km
Johannesburg 642km
Pietermaritzberg 122km
Population
Official Languages
There are eleven official languages in South Africa. In the Berg, Zulu, English, Afrikaans and German are widely spoken
Banking
Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 09h00-13h30
In the Northern and Central Berg there is a First National
Bank and an ABSA Bank in Bergville. Winterton has a First
National Bank, ABSA and Standard Bank.
Estcourt and Mooi River have branches of most of the
major banking groups that are found in South Africa. This
is
similarly the case with the Southern Berg towns of
Himeville
and Underberg.
zoom Sunrise, South to Sehlabethebe Photo: G Stewart |
Credit Cards
Most departmental stores, shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards i.e. American Express,VISA, Diners Club, Mastercard.
Currency
The currency in South Africa is the Rand. Bank notes currently available are R200, R100, R50, R10 and coins of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c. There are 100c in R1.
VAT
14% tax is charged on most purchased goods and services. However, foreign tourists are able to reclaim this money on their departure from the country provided that the goods purchased exceed R250. Ask for more information at the airport on arrival.
Hospitals/Medical Care
The telephone numbers of doctors in the Berg are obtainable
from
police or hotels.
Ladysmith Provincial Hospital (036) 637 2111.
Important Telephone Numbers
Police:
Bergville (036) 448 1095
Winterton (036) 488 1502
Himeville (033) 702 1300
Underberg
Mountain Rescue Service: (082) 990 5877
Or
Contact the Search and Rescue Section of the Mountain Club
of
South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Section, directly on 082 990
5877.
Tourism Information Offices
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG
Drakensberg Adventure
Okhahlamba Drakensberg Tourism
Ms Sam Sigubudu
P.O. Box 325
Bergville
3350
Tel: (036) 448 1296
Fax: (036) 448 1088
Email:
okhahlamba@telkomsa.net
Drakensberg Tourism Association
P. Gavin
P. O. Box 672
Bergville
3350
Telephone: (036) 448 1557
Fax: (036) 448 1328
Email:
info@drakensberg.org.za
Central Drakensberg
Tourism
Mrs Magda Hearn
P.O. Box 203
Winterton
3340
Tel: (036) 488 1207
Fax: (036) 488 1846
Email:
cdta@futurenet.co.za
Umtshezi / Estcourt Tourism
Ms Raksha Bedesi
P.O. Box 15
Estcourt
3310
Tel: (036) 352 6253
Fax: (036) 352 6254
Email:
umtshezitourism@lantic.net
Montrose Travel Centre
Dave Short
Tel: (058) 672 1044
Fax: (058) 672 1119
Email:
montrose@telkomsa.net
Mountain Club of South Africa KZN
Section
P.O.Box 50649
Musgrave Road
4062
Tel: 083 235 4938
Email: info@kzn.mcsa.org.za
KZN Wildlife
P.O. Box 13053
Cascades
3202
Tel: (033) 845 1999 - Enquiries
Fax: (033) 845 1000 - Reservations
Email:
bookings@kznwildlife.com
SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG
Kamberg
Valley Tourism
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Ms Ruth Credo
P.O. Box 11201
Rosetta
3300
Tel: (083) 288 6558
Email:
info@kambergtourism.co.za
Major Adventures
A KZN registered tourism
establishment
Tel: (033) 7011628
Fax: (033) 7012233
Email:
info@majoradventures.com
Nottingham Road Tourism
A KZN registered tourism
establishment
Tel: (033) 2666308
Fax: (033) 2666308
Email:
notts@ bundunet.com
Southern Berg Escape
Tel: (033)7011471
Fax: (033)7011471
Email: info@drakensberg.org
Southern Drakensberg Escape
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Michael Dlamini
P.O. Box 300
Underberg
3257
Tel + Fax: (033) 701 1471
Email:
info@drakensberg.org
Website: www.drakensberg.org
Southern Drakensberg Tourist Map
Boston Beat
Mr Noel McLean
P.O. Box 99
Boston
3211
Tel: (033) 997 1808
Fax: (033) 997 1808
Email:
signodyssey@absamail.co.za
Airports
Durban International Airport:
Durban Airport is situated approximately three hours' drive
away from
the Berg. It handles international flights as well as
domestic
flights to and from all major centres throughout South
Africa.
Accommodation, Restaurants and other tourism services
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