Dragon mountains on the map. Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa). Drakensberg Mountains - the pearl of South Africa
Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.
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The Drakensberg Mountains would be a worthy background for another magical film epic about trolls, gnomes and hobbits, because here every stone, waterfall, ledge, rock or mountain peak says that no, it doesn’t happen so beautiful in life - you’re in a fairy tale! It is no wonder that the name of this mountain system, located on the territory of two countries at once - South Africa and dwarf Lesotho, is correspondingly mystical and romantic. Of course, there are also legends about a fire-breathing snake that Bushmen allegedly saw in the 19th century. But in fact, the Drakensberg Mountains received such an epic name thanks to the eternal haze in which their dizzying peaks are hidden (they say these are clouds of steam that a real dragon releases from its nostrils, hiding from prying prying eyes).
Stretching for 1000 km, the Drakensberg Mountains are full of minerals (platinum, manganese, gold, coal and tin) and rare flora and fauna. Moreover, the rarest endemics grow here, which are not found anywhere else in the world. But the main wealth of this place is fabulous views, fantastic panoramas, the enchanting power and beauty of nature. It is no coincidence that part of the Drakensberg Mountains, which is part of the Drakensberg National Park, is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
It’s amazing what kinds of landscapes are not found on the territory of this mountain system - tropical “rain” forests that cover the slopes up to an altitude of 1200 m, and thickets of thorny bushes, acacias and aloe, and mountain meadows with stone placers at altitudes of 1500 m. and further to the clouds. Interestingly, this monumental mountain range is covered in snow in winter, despite its proximity to the warm Indian Ocean all year round. Such a variety of landscapes will make your head spin.
Such rich lands, of course, could not go unnoticed by people - Bushmen tribes inhabited the Drakensberg Mountains from time immemorial. To be more precise, rock paintings numbering up to 35 thousand copies found on the territory of the mountains date back no less than 100 thousand years ago. There is especially a lot of such rock art in the Giants Castle Nature Reserve, in the south of the Drakensberg Mountains, near the border with Lesotho.
The Drakensberg Mountains received such an epic name thanks to the eternal haze in which their dizzying peaks are hidden. They say these are clouds of steam that a mighty dragon releases from its nostrils, hiding from prying prying eyes.
Drakensberg
Popular attractions of the Drakensberg Mountains are all kinds of game reserves, national parks and reserves, rich in antelopes, baboons, small predators and many varieties of birds. At the same time, the most popular place among tourists is the national park with the unpronounceable name Ukashlamba-Drakensberg. It is located just a few hours' drive from Durban and is famous for its many picturesque spots, as well as excellent lodges, hostels and campsites where you can relax in comfort in the lap of nature.
Pay attention to the famous Tugela waterfall, which reaches a height of 948 meters and consists of as many as five cascades.
In the vast world of the magical Drakensberg Mountains there is a lot of entertainment for tourists - cozy wooden terraces of lodges where you can enjoy the singing of birds with a glass of excellent brandy, and all kinds of guided walking or horseback riding along marked routes, and trout fishing in local lakes, and helicopter flights, and the opportunity to play golf on emerald courses.
Address: Ukahlamba Drakensberg, Mkhomazi Wilderness area.
How to get there: the easiest way is from Durban by car or as part of an excursion group.
Sandstone, overlain by dark-colored basalt strata, forms the basis of the Drakensberg Mountains, and this also determines their completely unique plane. The peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa's highest mountain range, are divided by erosion into stepped plateaus with steep slopes.
The Drakensberg Mountains - with their flat tops - are incredibly beautiful, unlike any other mountain range in the world. The Drakensberg Mountains have evergreen forests. The climate and vegetation in different mountain regions differ sharply - on the eastern, windward slopes there is heavy rainfall (rains up to 2000 mm per year), and the western, leeward slopes of the mountains are dry and have a sharply continental climate. In winter, snow falls on the peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains. Wet, tropical "rain" forests with evergreen deciduous and coniferous trees and vines cover the eastern slopes with a smooth, high carpet, giving way to savannas and bushes to the west.
At an altitude of more than 2000 meters there are mountain meadows and stone placers.
Even when the bright sun shines in the mountains, the mountain slopes are blown by strong, piercing winds. However, the wind is unable to stop the numerous romantic travelers who rise here to explore the ancient secrets of the mountains.
They say that when you get to the Drakensberg Mountains, you feel like you are at the origins of human civilization. Long before the white man came here, people from the San tribe (Bushmen) left traces of their stay here in the form of rock paintings. Ritual scenes of hunting, fragments from peaceful life - this ancient painting is found in abundance in these mysterious mountains. The last group of Bushmen, the indigenous inhabitants of the Drakensberg Mountains, was seen in these places in 1878, since then no traces of Bushman life have been found here. However, thousands of rock paintings in numerous mountain caves will not let you forget about the former owners of the Drakensberg Mountains. The rock art of these places is recognized as unique not only because of its preservation, but also because of the variety of subjects.
For many kilometers of ascent in the mountains there is complete silence - the civilized world remains far below, and only the cries of antelopes from the valley and the hoarse, threatening voice of a baboon will remind you that you are not alone here. And also the constant rustle of the wind. And above the mountains, spreading their almost two-meter wings, vultures and mountain eagles soar.
As they climb, the landscape will constantly change - either a basalt amphitheater will appear before travelers, or a breathtaking view of a mountain valley will open from the cliff. Mysterious gorges, waterfalls, canyons and fields covered with unknown colorful flowers - all this makes the landscapes of the Drakensberg Mountains unique.
The goal of many travelers in these mountains is the paradise valley - Ndedema. The view of the Ndedema Gorge surpasses anything seen before - the mighty mountain seems to be cut in half by a deep neck. One part of it is completely covered with forest, while the other is completely bare.
It is said that it was these places that inspired Tolkien, who was born in South Africa, to write his famous “The Lord of the Rings”.
This mountainous region is actively developing tourism. Numerous hotels and campsites with full service and provided guides and guides are very useful. Passive tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the mountain slopes from a helicopter or from a car window. Those who are restless will go along picturesque passes and mountain valleys, accompanied by local guides; and their luggage will be carried on the backs of smart and unpretentious ponies.
There are unique opportunities for travel, horse riding, and bird watching. Even golfing and fishing are provided.
The Drakensberg Mountains are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DRAGON MOUNTAINS
Drakensberg Mountains
in South Africa; SOUTH AFRICA. In the language of one of the local tribes these are the Kwathlamba Mountains - "rocky place", "pile of rocks". The Boers called them Drakensberg due to their inaccessibility and wildness - "dragon mountains".
Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001.
DRAGON MOUNTAINS
mountains in South Africa. Height up to 3482 m. They are composed of sandstones, overlain by basalts, and are characterized by table tops. Heavily destroyed, divided into plateaus. Humid eastern the slopes are covered with heavily deforested tropical forests, dry western. - savannas. Above are mountain meadows and rocky areas.
Concise geographical dictionary. EdwART. 2008.
Drakensberg Mountains
(Drakensberg), in South. Africa (South Africa), break off to the coast of the Indian Ocean (part. Bol. ledge). Length approx. 550 km, width approx. 250 km. To the west they pass into the Vysoky plateau Veld . They are composed of strata of sandstones and shales covered with basalt covers. Avg. height approx. 2000 m, the highest points of the city of Katkin Peak (3660 m) and the city of Thabana-Ntlenyana (3482 m). The flat peaks are separated by gorges, at the bottom of which crystalline rocks of the ancient foundation are exposed. On the coast in ancient beach deposits in the area of the hall. Richards Bay and others have a deposit of titanium-zirconium sands, the largest in Africa. The climate is subtropical and tropical. Southeast the trade wind brings to the east. slopes have a large amount of precipitation (up to 2000 mm per year). Rain forests (podocarpus and other trees entwined with vines, epiphytes) have been preserved here in some places. On the leeward west. slopes up to an altitude of 1200 m are savannah, above them are thorny bushes, succulents (aloe, etc.). Above 1500–2000 m there are alpine meadows and rocky areas.
Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .
Drakensberg Mountains
in South Africa, on the Indian Ocean coast, mainly in South Africa. Dl. OK. 550 km. To the west they pass into the High Veld plateau. Part of the Great Escarpment (the raised edge of the African Plate). They are composed of a thick layer of Permian-Triassic sandstones and shales, interlayered with basalt covers. The highest points are Cathkin Peak (3660 m) and Thabana Ntlenyana (3482 m). The flat peaks are dissected by gorges. Precipitation up to 1000–2000 mm per year, gl. arr. to the east mountain slopes Average month temperatures in winter are 15–18 °C, in summer 23–26 °C. To the east mountain slopes to high 1200 m in some places, rain (barrier) tropical forests have been preserved from deforestation. On the leeward west. on slopes up to 1200 m - savanna, above - thorny bushes, succulents (aloe, etc.). At high more than 1500–2000 m – alpine meadows, rocky placers.
Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Edited by prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .
See what "DRAGON MOUNTAINS" are in other dictionaries:
English Dragon s mountain, Afrikaans Drakensberg, Zulu uKhahlamba, Sesotho Maluti or Maloti ... Wikipedia
Modern encyclopedia
In southeast Africa, part of the Great Escarpment. Height up to 3482 m. On the eastern slopes there are tropical forests, in the west there are savannas and bushes. Higher up are mountain meadows, rock formations... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Noun, number of synonyms: 1 mountain system (62) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary
Drakensberg Mountains- DRAGON MOUNTAINS, in southeast Africa, mainly in South Africa, part of the Great Escarpment. Height up to 3482 m (Mount Thabana Ntlenyana). Table tops and steep stepped plateaus are characteristic. The basin serves as a watershed between short rivers... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
Drakensberg Mountains- in South Africa; SOUTH AFRICA. In the language of one of the local tribes, this is the Kwathlamba Mountains, a rocky place, a pile of rocks. Due to their inaccessibility and wildness, the Boers called them the Drakensberg Dragon Mountains... Toponymic dictionary
In southeast Africa, part of the Great Escarpment. Height up to 3482 m. On the eastern slopes there are tropical forests, on the western slopes there are savannas and bushes. Above are mountain meadows and stone deposits. * * * DRAGON MOUNTAINS DRAGON MOUNTAINS (Afrikaans Prakensberg;… … encyclopedic Dictionary
- (Boer. Drakensberg) mountains in southeast Africa, from the river. Sabi on the S. to the river. Great Cay on the S., part of the Rogers Ledge, or Great Ledge (see Great Ledge). The middle part includes the eastern edge of the Lesotho highlands with the largest in the entire Southern... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Drakensberg Mountains- Orange River in the Drakensberg Mountains. SOUTH AFRICA. Drakensberg Mountains (Afrikaans Drakensberg), mountains in southeast Africa, from the river. Sabi in the north to the river. Great Cay to the south; part of the Rogers Ledge, or. The middle part includes the eastern edge of the Basuto Highlands with... ... Encyclopedic reference book "Africa"
Drakensberg Mountains- (Drakensberg Mountains)Drakensberg Mountains, mountain range in the south. edge of the South African Plateau, stretching 1126 km from northeast to southwest through Lesotho and the South African provinces of Natal, Orange and Transvaal. The highest peak mountain... ... Countries of the world. Dictionary
- Where: South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal province
- Height above sea level: 3482 meters
- Highest point: Thabana-Ntlenyana
- Countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
The Lost World of the Drakensberg Mountains is one of the most beautiful places on our Earth. The Drakensberg Mountains are easy to find on a map of the world or Africa; they occupy the territory of three African states - Swaziland and Lesotho. The mountain range is an almost monolithic wall of solid basalt with a length of a thousand kilometers. The mountains stretch along the southeastern coast of South Africa and are a natural divide between the rivers flowing into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The highest point of the Drakensberg Mountains, Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana with a height of 3482 m, is located in the territory of the state of Lesotho.
There is a lot of rainfall over the eastern slopes of the mountains; the climate on the western slopes is drier. There are many active mines in the Drakensberg Mountains, where gold, tin, platinum and coal are mined.
More than two million tourists annually visit the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to see a true natural wonder - the Drakensberg Mountains.
Myths and legends of the Drakensberg Mountains
There are several versions of the origin of such an unusual name. Local residents love to tell the legend of a huge fire-breathing dragon, which was seen in these parts in the 19th century. Perhaps the name Drakensberg (Drakensberg) came from the Boers, who named them so for their inaccessibility, because it is very difficult to get between the rocky ledges and mountain placers. Another version of the name comes from the foggy haze that envelops the mountain peaks. The clouds of fog are very similar to the steam from the nostrils of a dragon.
Rock paintings in mountain caves are of great interest: scientists have determined that the age of some drawings exceeds 100 thousand years! The Ukashlamba-Drakensberg Nature Reserve, which contains caves with prehistoric inscriptions, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
The Drakensberg Mountains are a wonderful place where you can enjoy clean air, the rustling wind and forests, over which mountain falcons, bearded eagles and vultures soar. Predatory animals have long since left these places, thereby creating conditions for the reproduction of many species of antelope. Herds of graceful animals are often encountered along excursion routes.
Ukashlamba-Drakensberg Park is a great place for a weekend, where you can stay for a couple of days in a cozy house or hostel and fish for trout in the deep crystal lakes. For fans of active recreation - rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding and hiking.
How to get there?
The Drakensberg Mountains are just a couple of hours drive from , a city on the east coast of South Africa. Durban Airport accepts international flights and flights from other South African cities 24 hours a day. You can go to the mountains with a tent and camping equipment, and for those who want a more relaxing holiday, the park staff will offer to stay in one of the hotels.
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The Drakensberg Mountains are an amazing place in Southern Africa.
It is actually very beautiful here: the landscape, the passes, views from afar, internal features that cannot be ignored during the walk.
The Drakensberg Mountains have become the center of plot development in the stories and works of a number of authors, including Russian-speaking ones.
The features of the Drakensberg Mountains can be briefly described in several positions:
- there are incredibly many attractions here that will not let the curious tourist get bored;
- The Drakensberg Mountains are a safe and stable place (no sudden surprises in the form of obstacles along the way);
- these are the largest mountains, and the mountain system in general throughout the entire African continent;
- the most favorite activity of tourists is trekking, which is very popular here;
- It is difficult to get to altitudes between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level because you need a permit. However, for those who manage to get it, the views from the mountains are incredible.
How did the Drakensberg Mountains appear?
The history of the appearance of mountains began about 150-200 million years ago. The Drakensberg Mountains were created according to a slightly different principle than is commonly believed in the case of most other mountain systems.
There are no plate junctions here, but the presence of once high seismological activity in the modern area is observed.
So, initially the mountains were formed due to the leakage of basalt, which covered the soil of South Africa for a long time.
Over time, water, of which there was a lot here, had a certain effect on the basalt.
As a result, the rocky Drakensberg Mountains were formed with a unique shape. A big role was played by sandstone, which was under the basalt in a very fragile state.
Its structure allowed it to form under the influence of other factors of high rocks, which gradually hardened.
The Bushmen and Zulus had a special relationship with the Drakensberg Mountains. They gave them different names and created rock paintings depicting the way of life of their modern life at that time.
Today there are various excursions within which you can visit unique places. Excursions involve traveling not only through the mountains, but also walking through caves where local residents lived many thousands of years ago.
The area that surrounds the Drakensberg Mountains is blessed with gorgeous plants. Those who appreciate the beauty of nature like to relax here - orchids grow almost everywhere, and they are truly unusual.
Where are the Drakensberg Mountains located?
To know how to see the mountains in person, you should understand that they are located on the territory of several states, the rules for receiving tourists and guests are different.
However, tourism that involves visiting the Drakensberg Mountains is possible in the following states:
- Free State;
- Kingdom of Lesotho;
- KwaZulu-Natal.
The food is also safe and tasty - local residents practice cooking dishes from different cuisines.
In general, the Drakensberg Mountains can be called a tourist area, although there is not a large flow of tourists, an influx of people during the season and problems with buying tickets or renting a hotel room. Various and inexpensive excursions are offered.
However, it is important to understand that a tourist will not be able to visit all the mountains and must choose.
Mount Mont-aux-Sources is considered a true dominant - it has a height of 3048 meters above sea level.
It’s beautiful everywhere here: both when walking along the mountain itself and on its top. The mountain is also beautiful from afar - in particular, in the Tugela River valley.