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