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Central Drakensberg
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 The nature parks in the Central Berg – Cathedral Peak, Monk's Cowl and Injasuthi – are accessed from the town of Winterton on the R74. Because shopping facilities are very limited in the parks, one should stock up on groceries at the SPAR supermarket in Winterton. This small town lies on the banks of the Little Thukela River. It has a museum in Kerk Street, with exhibits and information on the Drakensberg geology, the pioneers and first settlers in this area as well as on the battles of the Anglo-Boer-War at Spioenkop and Vaalkrans. The Winterton Museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, on saturdays from 9 to 12. Tel (036) 4881885.  The farm Ardmore on road R275 is the home of the brightly coloured cotton weaving business called "African Loom". There is also the "Amangwe Craft Centre" which exhibits only KwaZulu Natal craft, it has the largest known collection of traditional Amangwe Zulu beadwork. The internationally respected "Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio" on the same premises is open to visitors 7 days a week. About 50 local Zulu artists work in the studio, and travellers are welcome to visit them. Tel 036 4681314. Some 10 kilometres west of the town, on the R600 in the direction of Champagne Castle and Monk's Cowl, lies the Thokozisa Centre, a recreational stop-over – designed by a group of artists – with shops, playground, restaurant, bar and various shops, from a boutique, curio shop and art gallery to a delicatessen shop. The entrance gate is open all the time. and the reception ifrom 7 am to 7 pm. Accommodation: The Didima Camp offers nice self-catering chalets with 2 to 6 beds. And there is a campground. The main lodge offers a restaurant, a bar, conference venues, a little shop and the "San Rock Art Centre", which gives detailed information on the Bushmen (San) in the uKhahlamba region and their rock paintings. Tel: (036) 4888000.  The entrance gate is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm and the reception from 8 am to 12:30 and from 2 to 4:30 pm. Accommodation A campground belongs to the park. One can get breakfast and lunch in the tea garden. Tel: (036) 4681103; Fax: (036) 4681150. |
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| Hiking Routes The Monk's Cowl Park boasts beautiful hiking trails, ranging from 3 to13 kilometres in length and also suitable for families with smaller children. The easiest route leads to the "Sterkspruit Falls" (3 kilometres circular, one to two hours long). Particularly popular is the hike to "Blindman's Corner" at an altitude of 2100 metres (11 km, about 6 hours duration, 600 metres difference in altitude). Weather Warning for Hikers: The weather can change quickly in the Drakensberg. In summer, one can expect thunderstorms in the afternoons. Hikers should be well equipped and put their names down in the Mountain Rescue Register before leaving.
 Reservations and bookings:Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife PO Box 13069, Cascades 3202, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tel (033) 8451000, Fax: (033) 8451001 email: info@kznwildlife.com
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Southern Domain Online Travel Guides. All rights reserved. eMail info@southafrica-travel.net. |
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