Drakensberg District: Water, Wilderness and Cultural Heritage

Drakensberg District brings together very different travel interests: water sports at Gariep, open grasslands, highland hikes and places with historical heritage. When choosing your holiday rental, it is worth first considering which of these aspects of the destination you want to shape your stay. This lets you choose a location based on your interests, rather than reducing the region to a single holiday theme.

Water experiences at Gariep

Gariep Dam is suited to water sports, boating and swimming, and is also considered an excellent fishing spot. It offers different ways to spend time on the water: actively in a boat, swimming or focusing on fishing. The waters of Gariep in Walter Sisulu Local Municipality also offer opportunities for water sports.

Another boating option is available on the Orange River in Walter Sisulu Local Municipality. Those interested in water activities can consider these river opportunities and what Gariep Dam offers as different ideas for planning their trip. The highlands offer a different focus: hiking opportunities in the areas around Rhodes and Barkly East are described as “world-class”. Water activities and highland hiking are therefore available as distinct holiday themes.

Grasslands, nature reserves and wildlife

The proposed Grasslands National Park is described as covering an area of about 30,000 hectares. Its conservation focus includes rare grassland ecosystems and important catchment areas. The park is located in the Eastern Cape Highlands near Rhodes and Barkly East. For travellers interested in scenery and nature, this combination of grassland and catchment areas defines the proposed park.

The municipal Buffelspruit Nature Reserve is located on the edge of Aliwal North. It is known for its open grasslands and herds of plains game. The Oviston Nature Reserve offers a different scale: the protected area covers 16,000 hectares and is located on the southern side of Gariep Dam. Its wildlife includes several antelope species as well as Cape otters, African wildcats, Cape hares, Cape porcupines and indigenous mongooses. The two areas therefore offer different nature highlights: open grassland and plains game on the one hand, and a diverse range of native wildlife on the other.

Highlands and historic sites

The area around Lady Grey is rich in sandstone and San rock art. Lady Grey’s historic sites also include the Powder Magazine. Alongside its scenery, this combination gives the area a cultural and historical dimension. Those interested in South Africa’s railway heritage can visit Steynsburg Tunnel, which offers visitors an insight into it.

Wellness is another possible interest: local hot springs offer wellness experiences. Aliwal Spa Holiday Resort in Aliwal North is a thermal bathing and wellness destination, accessible via the N6. Just outside Burgersdorp is J.L. De Bruin Dam Resort, a leisure and camping destination. These examples have clearly distinct focuses: thermal bathing and wellness, leisure and camping, and nature and cultural experiences.

An important point for travellers interested in skiing is the status of the mountain ski resort in Joe Gqabi District: it is in Senqu Local Municipality and has been closed since 2020. The site of South Africa’s only mountain ski resort is therefore not a current reason to plan a trip centred on skiing. Water, nature, hiking, wellness and cultural heritage, by contrast, offer different themes to consider when choosing a holiday rental.

Explore more places

If you would like to continue looking for a suitable location, you can also explore Barkly East, Jamestown, Venterstad, Steynsburg, Bloemendal, Burgersdorp, Nomlengane and Ugie. The range of travel interests—from water and nature to hiking, wellness and history—offers a helpful framework for deciding what you would like to focus on during your holiday.

For the broader travel overview: Eastern Cape.