Walking guide to the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park - South Africa

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Further Reading

For walking maps of the Drakensberg there is a series at 1:50,000 scale published by KZN Wildlife and last revised in 2003. In this book they are referred to as KZNW maps. The geographical areas covered by the six available maps are as follows (with some overlap):

• Hiking Map 1    
• Royal Natal National Park
• Hiking Map 2    
• Cathedral Peak and Monk’s Cowl
• Hiking Map 3    
• Giant’s Castle and Injisuthi
• Hiking Map 4    
• Highmoor and Kamberg
• Hiking Map 5    
• Cobham and Lotheni
• Hiking Map 6    
• Garden Castle and Bushman’s Nek

The 1:50,000 scale is acceptable for walking trips in this area. Unfortunately this Drakensberg series has limitations in that some paths and other features are incorrectly plotted, sometimes significantly so in navigational terms. Later editions of the maps may correct inaccuracies. Note that in the current edition all references to caves with Bushman paintings have been excluded to reduce the possibility of vandalism.

The routes in this guide are accompanied by sketch maps. Red dashed lines are used to illustrate routes that have been walked and validated. Red dotted lines are either alternatives that have been explored (indicated on the sketch) or just other paths you may encounter.

Maps are drawn to scale and based on GPS-derived information but they are just sketches and should be used in conjunction with the appropriate map. A map and compass should also be regarded as essential equipment.