National park · South Africa
Maloti Drakensberg ParkMaloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
Enter the park for a day hike (entry fee ~R200, 2 h walk) or a multi‑day trek (guide required, 4–6 days) in April–May or Sep–Oct; avoid winter snow.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²)
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²)
- Approximate total area of the transfrontier park is about 5,000 km², combining the South African Drakensberg section and Lesotho's Sehlabathebe area (check).
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The park spans the high‑altitude grasslands and cliffs along the South Africa‑Lesotho border, protecting a world‑heritage landscape of San rock‑art sites, diverse alpine flora and fauna, and offering challenging hikes and cultural walks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2021Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Size and age
5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²) · national park since 2001
Approximate total area of the transfrontier park is about 5,000 km², combining the South African Drakensberg section and Lesotho's Sehlabathebe area (check).
Why go
- World‑heritage landscape with extensive San rock‑art sites.
- High‑altitude grasslands and dramatic peaks for hiking and wildlife viewing.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold nights, occasional snow.
- FebWinter conditions persist.
- MarEarly spring, melting snow.
- AprMild weather, clear trails.
- MayDry, comfortable hiking.
- JunRainy, slippery paths.
- JulCold, possible snow.
- AugCold, occasional snow.
- SepSpring, good visibility.
- OctCooling, fewer crowds.
- NovLate spring, warming.
- DecEarly winter, cold.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black eagle, bearded vulture, elandAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate / visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, parking. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Rock‑art trail zone | Marked paths to San art sites. | Guided walks only. |
| High‑altitude hiking zone | Peaks and grassland routes. | Self‑guided day hikes permitted. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on the main gate area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day visitor) | ZAR 200–300 (≈ US$12–18) | person | Check at gate; includes basic trail access. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for rock‑art walks and multi‑day treks.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permit.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bergville
Guesthouses and budget hotels 30 km (19 mi) from the gate.Guesthouses and budget hotels 19 mi (30 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Ladysmith
Mid‑range hotels and B&Bs 70 km (43 mi) away.Mid‑range hotels and B&Bs 43 mi (70 km) away.
Safety
Sudden weather change medium
Altitude & cold low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with short paved walk.
- High‑altitude trails steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile rock‑art sites.
- Use licensed guides who follow conservation guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Maloti Drakensberg Park?
Day entry is about R200–R300 per adult; children pay half. Multi‑day treks require a guide fee on top of the entry ticket.
What are the best hikes in Maloti Drakensberg Park?
Guided San rock‑art walks, the Giant's Castle summit hike (hard, 6–8 h) and the Amphitheatre ridge trail (moderate, 4 h).
When is the best time to visit Maloti Drakensberg Park?
April–May and September–October offer mild weather, clear trails and fewer crowds.
Can I camp wild in the park?
No. Camping is allowed only in designated sites; wild camping is prohibited to protect the environment.
Do I need a guide for day hikes?
Day hikes on marked trails are allowed without a guide, but rock‑art walks and any trek beyond the visitor centre require a licensed guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Maloti Drakensberg Park
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