National park · South Africa
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg ParkUkhahlamba Drakensberg National Park
Enter the park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive to the main gate, and choose a short trail like Ash Cave (4 h, 7.5 km (4.7 mi)) or a longer route such as Giant's Cup (2–5 days, 68 km (42 mi)) in the dry months Apr–May, Sep–Oct; avoid the rainy summer months Dec–Feb.Enter the park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive to the main gate, and choose a short trail like Ash Cave (4 h, 4.7 mi (7.5 km)) or a longer route such as Giant's Cup (2–5 days, 42 mi (68 km)) in the dry months Apr–May, Sep–Oct; avoid the rainy summer months Dec–Feb.
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
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
- 3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²)
- Area reported varies; the park covers roughly 3,500 km² of highland and valley terrain (check official KZN Parks source).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Durban
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park spans the central Drakensberg range on the KwaZulu‑Natal–Lesotho border, protecting rugged peaks, waterfalls, grasslands and over 500 San rock‑art caves; it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major destination for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2009Ukhahlamba Drakensberg – San rock art.
Size and age
3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²) · national park since 2000
Area reported varies; the park covers roughly 3,500 km² of highland and valley terrain (check official KZN Parks source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Durban.
Why go
- World‑heritage landscape with high peaks, waterfalls and San rock‑art caves.
- Large variety of wildlife including eland, bushbuck and lammergeier.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanSummer heat, thunderstorms.
- FebRainy, slippery trails.
- MarSpring, flowers blooming.
- AprDry, mild, good hiking.
- MayDry, clear, peak season.
- JunEarly winter, occasional frost.
- JulCold nights, possible snow on high peaks.
- AugCold, occasional snow.
- SepSpring, dry, good visibility.
- OctDry, warm, ideal for long treks.
- NovEarly summer, some rain.
- DecSummer storms, heat.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eland, bushbuck, oribi, mountain reedbuckAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lammergeier (bearded vulture)Mar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| BaboonsAll 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
From Durban
Drive north via N2 (≈3 h) to the park gate at the Royal Natal entrance.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Johannesburg
Fly to Durban (≈1 h) then drive as above, or drive the 9‑hour N3/N2 route.
1 h flight + 3 h drive
Open the page →
From Lesotho border (Sani Pass)
Enter via Sani Pass road (requires passport).
2–3 h from the pass entrance
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Natal National Park entrance | Main gate, visitor centre, trailheads for short hikes. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Champagne Castle area | High‑altitude peaks, mountain huts, longer treks. | Guided or self‑drive with map. |
| San rock‑art caves zone | Caves with registered rock‑art, require guide. | Restricted; guide‑led only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 are approximate centre points of main features; use a map for precise navigation.
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 (per adult) | ZAR 150–200 (≈ US$9–12) | person | Check latest rates on KZN Parks website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
San rock‑art guide permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Registered rock‑art guides required for all cave visits.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites (e.g., Giant's Castle); wild camping prohibited.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
- Firearms
- Hunting prohibited; firearms not allowed.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Giant's Castle chalets
Self‑catering cabins within the park, book via KZN Parks.
Near the park
Champagne Castle hotel
Hotel and chalets in the Champagne Valley, 30 km (19 mi) from the main gate.Hotel and chalets in the Champagne Valley, 19 mi (30 km) from the main gate.
Safety
Sudden storms high
Snake bites medium
Altitude sickness 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 and short trails (e.g., Ash Cave) have firm paths suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer high‑altitude routes are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use registered guides to protect rock‑art sites.
- Stay in park‑run accommodation to support local conservation.
- Carry out all litter; no open fires outside designated sites.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park?
Entry is R150–R200 per adult; children and seniors have reduced rates. Verify current fees on the KwaZulu‑Natal Parks website.
What are the best hikes in Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park?
Short: Ash Cave (4 h, 7.5 km). Mid: Champagne Castle summit (2 h). Long: Giant's Cup Trail (2–5 days, 68 km). All require a park entry ticket; cave hikes need a guide.
When is the best time to visit Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park?
April–May and September–October offer dry, mild weather and clear views. Summer months (Dec–Feb) bring thunderstorms; winter can be cold.
Do I need a guide for San rock‑art caves?
Yes. All cave visits must be with a registered rock‑art guide; bookings are made at the park office or online.
Is camping allowed anywhere in the park?
Only in designated campsites such as Giant's Castle; wild camping is prohibited to protect the environment.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go