Bundu Expeditions - Daytrips ::::

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All day trips are done in the Southern Drakensberg. The following is general information on the Berg.

The Barrier of Spears (uKhahlamba) World Heritage Site

Although you can walk on them, they always make you feel small.

The Berg, as it is affectionately known, is one of South Africa’s most interesting biomes. The grass covered hills are considered to be one of South Africa’s threatened biomes, sheltering several important endangered species.

Some of the protected reserves were originally proclaimed to provide protection for the then dwindling Eland populations, who are smaller than their lower altitude living cousins.

Unlike the Eland, their former hunters the San, who probably co-existed with them for centuries, were already extinct when the area became protected. What has however remained is their paintings, remarkably detailed in depicting the then large herds of several large antelope species, and predators following them.

The Geology of the Drakensberg

The Super continent, South America, Australia Antarctica, India, Madagascar and Arabia, known as Gondwanaland, started to separate a long time ago. This caused huge movements of landmass, volcanic explosions and movement of huge volume of water, which created this interesting geology.

Fascinating to think that the small streams, which were huge, rivers flowing to the ocean, are still part of that process,the shaping of the Drakensberg. Into the moulded and eroded walls of 100's of metres of rock is embedded a fossil record of a time far too dramatic for us to even imagine!

The Drakensberg today

The Drakensberg is a very important area. With its fresh water catchment area, millions of people 1000s of kilometres away enjoys its safe drinking water - clean and free of diseases, it is part of the 1% of all safe drinking fresh water on earth. During the summer months heavy rainfalls the spongy soils soak up the water and gradually release it again during the dry months.

In the small and friendly villages of Himeville and Underberg at the foothills of the mountain, many enthusiastic residents and visitors share a common love for nature. The snow, trout fishing and the height of the Umzimkulu River( for canoeing) are always topics for discussion. During some years, it has been known to snow in the mountains every month and the beauty of the snow tipped mountains is breathtaking and always causes a huge influx of visitors.

The real trout fly fisherman find their wild trout in streams where they naturally exist (up to 8 pounds wild spawn fish have been caught here). The southern Drakensberg also boasts some of the best trout water in the country and there are a variety of well stocked dams. From the rivers and in the dams several 10 pound fish has been taken! In total there are more than 250-kms of river fishing and 180 large dams to fish from.

If you have a taste for something more adventurous, you could consider exploring the surrounding area on mountain bike or horseback. Or, you may brave other adventure sports such as rafting, skiing, rock climbing or simply driving up Sani Pass in a 4x4.

Or, if you have a taste for something a little quieter and fancy getting in touch with nature, you can take yourself and your camera on a 2 hour hike. If you have more time on your hands to escape civilisation there are 5day walks in the mountains, with nights spent resting in the snow capped mountains. Whether you want to camp in the wild alone or prefer the comfort of a log fire, double bed and a warm bath with red wine after dinner… it’s all here.

The Drakensberg is not only about green slopes and rugged piercing vertical cliffs. It’s also about forest. The wooded kloofs enfold typical rainforest flora species, where you can see tall Yellowwood trees and even unique orchards. There are many tree ferns and red and yellow pokers (Kniphofia.) Outside the rainforest you will find 5 species of the Protea and some sunbirds, amongst them the Malachite Sunbird, to pollinate its striking flowers.

Rock art

The existence of the timeless relics, painted on the walls of sheer cliffs and the inside of caves, still coexisting with wildlife is much appreciated and protected by many visitors and landowners.

Their extinction tells that it was not always so. About 400 years ago the taller blacker Nguni tribes moved down into southern-Africa also to the Drakensberg. The San people, a peaceful nation, didn’t want to conquer anyone, but they were driven from the land, which they understood so well. Then in the early to middle 1800's came the so called civilised Europeans with their cattle and desire to own land, mountains and the air. They persecuted the San for hunting their cattle, until eventually in the early 1900's when areas became protected, it was too late for the San.

But they have left us with more than 30,000 painted images. These were discovered over the last 40 years in about 550 rock shelters. Some with one painting, but up to 1700 in a single cave have been discovered. This rock art collection in the Drakensberg makes it one of the richest rock painting areas in the world.

The San painted the things that they saw around them, elephant, eland, Grey rehbuck, hartebeest, roan antelope, snakes, rhinoceroses to mention a few. Even an Ox wagon which is thought to be that of Captain Gardiner who visited the area in 1835!!

The paintings were made from iron oxides found in ochre stones. They also used white clay and burnt sticks. The colours were ground into powder and mixed with a binding medium like blood, fat or water. This is why they are so vulnerable. Some are thought to be thousands of years old. Most of these paintings are religious in nature, but the meanings of some are hidden from us, challenging us to seek more information on their symbolism.

The Lotheni Nature Reserve

Solitude, Invigorating, Tranquillity.. these are some of the thoughts that fill your mind and calm every nerve in your body. There are many waterfalls, some very high and some simply small rainforest trickles on a patch of green moss. beautiful scenery

There are trout in the river, which can be fished as long as one obtains a permit on the reserve. There is a 16km stretch along the Lotheni River, which is suitable for brown trout fishing. Although chilly, it is safe to swim in the Lotheni River.

The hikes in the reserve suit all levels of fitness. Some are steep hikes to elevate you to the peaks, while some are more level walking trails, which meander along some of the tranquil rivers Drakensberg Eland, 100kg short of one ton of antelope, can be seen on the different hikes you may take from the camp. Mountain biking is also allowed in designated areas.

The photographs taken along the trails are unusually striking in changes of contrast and mood, from season to season, from day to day.

There are 24 mammal species recorded. Amongst them are Leopard, Caracal, Serval, and two species of otters. Lotheni has a bird list of no less than 173 bird species, within this there are 22 bird of prey species, amongst them the Bearded Vulture, Martial Eagle (the largest African Eagle species) Crowned Eagle (the most powerful in Africa) Sparrowhawk and Goshawk species.

Other special birds are the Orange breasted Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin and the Black Stork. Day trip from Underberg Himeville or area.

Sani Pass Trip

The Sani Pass is considered one of the highlights in the Southern Drakensberg. The Drakensberg has been listed World Heritage in cultural and geography. A must to visit! The pass is the 3rd steepest pass in the world. Its altitude is 2873 meters. Your departure point in Himeville is 1500 meter.

Departures are daily at 9.00am and you will be accompanied by a THETA trained Guide.

In brief

The history of the Southern Berg is very interesting and the different farming activities will be pointed out to you. The first stop is the former Good Hope Trading Store, where your guide will inform you about the trading history between S.A. and Lesotho.

The first motorised vehicle conquering the pass South African was in 1948. It took them 3 weeks to complete their mission!!

We will wind along a gravel road next to the Ntomozana River. (Zulu name for Pretty Lady) Some indigenous plants and bird species will be pointed out to you and you will be given the opportunity to take pictures of the breathtaking surroundings and to discuss the area with your guide. The view down the Sani valley is inspiring and ever changing.

With over 300 flowering plants in the valley depending on the season, you can always expect on of the species to be flowering. There are also several orchid species.

At the border crossing from South Africa, your passport will be stamped with an exit stamp. 8km’s further, at the Lesotho border you will get a Lesotho borders entry stamp.

The hairpin bends are always exciting; once you have reached these you have reached the final and the steepest part of the pass. The altitude here is above 2000 meters and you can expect to see the frozen waterfall. The Orange-breasted Rockjumper, an indigenous native of the southern Drakensberg are also often seen in this area. Other birds like the Drakensberg Siskin and the Bearded vulture have also been spotted.

The experience of driving up the steep pass is rather unexpected and usually under estimated by visitors. Sani Top is always a welcome sight. At the top of the pass, the tour proceeds into Lesotho to visit a Basotho village and the group will see how these successful nomadic shepherd and herdsmen, who have been living here for 450 years, now live. Formally a tribe from the Tswana people they live in one of the most hostile and extreme locations on earth.

Your guide will explain their life style and history to you.

Shortly after departure from the village, the group will stop to have a picnic lunch, (arranged at your request) or visit a small restaurant near the escarpment.(also known as the highest pub in Africa)

The journey back will take us down the same way. We will see the view and experience the thrill of descending the pass.

There will be opportunity to stop for photography.

Expected arrival time back in Himeville is 4.30pm.