Things to do near
Sehlabathebe National Park
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Hiking Trail
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Underberg (16.6 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) Garden Castle Nature Reserve is situated in the Ukahlamba Drakensberg National Park and 25 km from The Old Hatchery.
The reserve offers a number of stunning hikes ranging from short and easy to long and challenging. The caves, rivers, natural pools and surrounding majestic mountains are astonishingly beautiful.
Four By Four Trails
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Sani Pass (36 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) Enjoy a 4 x 4 excursion to the highest pub in Africa; dress warmly and be ready for an exciting and beautiful drive up the famous Sani Pass.
The road can get rough and steep, so a 4 x 4 is essential. Be sure to bring along your passport.
Popular Attractions
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Underberg (40.7 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) Pennygum Country Cottages offer rafting and tubing down the Umzimkulu River in season. Trips range between 1 to 4 hours depending on the level of the river. Adventures can relax watching wildlife while tubing down the river or use a bit of skill to navigate the rafts. Tube and raft hire as well as pickups and take-outs are arranged.
Mountain Biking Trails
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Underberg (41.2 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) Have a blast in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg. Situated 4 km from the country village of Underberg, Sani Spoors is the ideal mountain biking and trail running venue.
The diverse trails range from single track through pine forests to riverbanks, offering some of the finest mountain biking trails in KwaZulu-Natal. The routes are on private property; traversing farmlands, pine plantations, the Mzimkulu River and open pastures.
Routes of 3 km, 8 km, 10 km and 15 km are colour coded and clearly marked. All routes start from the Sani Spoors office where a permit must be obtained and clearly displayed before setting off.
Galleries and Museums
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Underberg (43.6 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Underberg Studio is situated in the scenic village of Underberg in the southern Drakensberg. Owned by fine art photographer and ceramicist Lawrance and Catherine Brennon, the working pottery studio and gallery houses their work as well as several leading South African artists.
Open daily 10:00 – 16:30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays out of season)
Sundays 10:30 – 13:30
Shops
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Underberg (44 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Funky Cow is a quaint, eclectic little shop rooted in Underberg opposite the local Spar. Its well worth a visit as it sells gorgeous traditional Basotho blankets (since they’re on the border of Lesotho and the famous Sani Pass). You’ll also find funky jewellery, antiques, vintage clothing, awesome gifts and souvenirs to take home.
Hiking Trail
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Underberg (44.2 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The five-day Giant's Cup Trail is one of the easier hiking trails in the Drakensberg. The best time to do it is in during spring or autumn when the weather is milder. Winters can be extremely cold and it often snows.
Overnight accommodation is in mountain huts and an old farmhouse. You will need to leave your vehicle at the start of the trail, a ranger outpost, or at the end of the trail at the office at Bushman’s Nek office.
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 59 km
Bookings: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife 033 845 1000
Popular Attractions
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Swartberg (50.8 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) If you're a lover of horses and the great outdoors, then Florence Farm has so much to offer you.
Florence Farm offers well-priced rides at various lengths. The horses are well mannered, responsive and well trained. All riding gear and tack will be provided. There are rides for all levels of experience, including independent day rides for the more experienced.
Galleries and Museums
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Matatiele (62.6 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Matatiele Museum was established in 1993 and houses a collection of artefacts and items of the town's historical society. The museum is an old sandstone building which was originally built as a Dutch Reformed Church.
The building was used for various things before being declared a national monument and a provincial heritage site. The museum provides information on the local prehistory, history and cultures of the town and surrounding areas, including that of the San people, pioneers, missionaries, and Xhosa, Sotho and Zulu cultures.
There are antique household objects, post boxes and fossils on display. There is also a large collection of photos on Matatiele, East Griqualand and Lesotho.
Four By Four Trails
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Cedarville (64.5 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) Dagga Three Sisters Trail and Cederville Scenic Trail starts on a farm 8 km from Cedarville. The trail travels through the veins of the Cedarberg in the foothills of the Drakensberg. The trail starts on soft farm roads and progresses over the Dagga Trail, which is a guided trail, which goes to the Three Sisters, three peaks in the Drakensberg. The trail has a grading of 3 to 5 and is 80 km long. The trip takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete. Low range and high clearance vehicles are required. Please contact for further information.
Nature Reserves
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Drakensberg (65.5 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Lotheni Nature Reserve is situated within the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. There are many scenic walking trails for the young and old as well as a moderate 14 km mountain biking trail.
The longest trail is a circular route of 11.8 km called the Emadundwini Trail. This trail crosses a number of small fresh-water streams and carries on up a steep incline. It is the best trail for viewing the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg Mountains. The other trails include the Eagle, Falls, Canyon, Jacobs Ladder, and the historically significant Gelib tree trail.
There is a variety of wildlife including duiker, eland, grey rhebuck and mountain reedbuck. There is also a diversity of more than 172 bird species such as lanner falcons, giant kingfishers, and Cape vultures. Trout fishing is also popular at Lotheni and a refreshing swim at the Cool Pools is a must.
Popular Attractions
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Central Drakensberg (76.8 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Kamberg Rock Art attraction is very popular in the area.
The rock art has existed for hundreds of years and attracts people from all corners of the world. The climb to the rock art takes about 1 and a half hours and you can get a guide for as little as R25. Guides have a rather extensive knowledge of the area and are very informative.
Nature Reserves
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Drakensberg (76.8 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Kamberg Nature Reserve is located on the foothills of the mountains in the Natal Drakensberg Park. There are many picnic sites near the river, trout dams, and well-maintained walks, one of which is handicap friendly.
The self-guided and guided trails pass through the surrounding areas of the 'Little Berg' and along the Mooi River. There is also a rock art shelter with original Bushman rock art. The San people inhabited the area before they encountered violent clashes with the white settlers and the Nguni tribes.
Wildlife in the reserve includes reedbuck, blesbok, black wildebeest, grey rhebuck, eland, duiker, red hartebeest, and oribi.
Hiking Trail
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Drakensberg (78.6 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The Mehloding Hiking Trail is a 4-day trail that passes through the lush mountainous terrain of the Drakensberg, with rural villages and rock art sites along the way.
The region is home to a variety of indigenous plants, bird life and pristine mountain streams. The trail is managed by the Mehloding Community Tourism Trust, who arranges the hiking package for you, including night stays, guides and meals.
Contact the trust to organise your hiking trip.
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (82.2 km from Sehlabathebe National Park) The lovely Fern Forest Trail is a comfortable 30-minute amble along a stream and through forest. After a 1 km walk, the path leads to a picnic spot at a waterfall.
Duration: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1 km