Where Else Will You Find Such Contrasting Wonders, So Close, As These Two World Heritage Sites?
Within South Africa's borders there are many 'must sees', whether you live here or are just visiting.
The contrasting beauty of two of South Africa's World Heritage sites should rank high up on anyone's list.
They are the unique estuarine system of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands and the uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park.
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands.
This is South Africa's third largest park covering over 328000 hectares, (1266 square miles).
Of this, 84000 hectares, (324 square miles), is offshore stretching 3km, (1.
9miles), out and along the length of the coast.
Back on land, the park stretches from Maphelane, Cape St Lucia in the South up the 280km, (173 miles), of near pristine coast as far as the Maputaland Marine Reserve and Kosi Bay in the North.
Extending from temperate in the south to tropical in the north the area includes, five distinct eco systems, an amazing variety of differing habitats, flora and fauna - many of which are endemic to the area.
The hub of the area is Lake St Lucia.
The lake, although fed by several rivers is not a fresh water lake.
It is a 60km, (37mile), long shallow lagoon running parallel to the coast.
The mouth of the lagoon is narrow and sometimes closes up in times of low rainfall or drought.
This mingling of fresh and salt water results in varying degrees of salinity and different nutrients.
This, in turn, results in a wide variety of fish species and one of the most extensive varieties of birds recorded in any area.
These include many heron and kingfisher species, ibis, stork, pelican, flamingo, fish and crowned eagles, to name but a few.
Pelicans, spoonbills and gulls, amongst other, make use of the island in the lake as breeding grounds.
Large numbers of both crocodile and hippo are found in and around the lake and estuary system.
The town of St Lucia, bordering the estuary, offers a variety of accommodation.
Launch tours, walks and hiking trails are all available in the area.
The uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park.
For shear awe inspiring splendor the uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park is difficult to beat.
The average altitude is 3000m, (9842 feet), above sea level making it the highest range south of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Park covers 240000 hectares, (938 square miles).
Open spaces and rolling grasslands give way to a backdrop of gigantic peaks and towering cliffs.
Crystal clear waters flow through rocky gorges and steep sides rivers.
It is easy to lose one's sense of self as one savors the natural beauty and vastness of this awesome mountain range.
Cultural heritage in the Drakensberg is both simple and rich.
The San peoples, commonly recognized as the oldest original inhabitants of Southern Africa, occupied this area from the Stone Age through to the late 19th century.
Long since gone, they leave behind their unique art and a sense of spirit that is difficult not to feel.
San Rock art abounds.
Within the park there are some 600 sites which account for over 35000 single images.
The oldest of these dates back approximately 2400 years.
And the youngest from sometime toward the end of the nineteenth century.
These paintings typically depict scenes of food gathering, hunting, dancing, fighting and the spiritual life of the San people as well as the many animals that roamed the area.
Turning away from the confines of a protected cave one sees the same animals grazing in the valleys below.
Thankfully, the ecology of the area has been preserved.
The flora and fauna have not changed.
Numerous specious of buck inhabit the area.
These are more than sufficient to support predators such as leopard and jackal and several of the smaller cats along with the black eagle and bearded vultures.
A wide variety of accommodation options exist both within the park and in the private establishments and hotels bordering the park.
Accommodation within the park is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and varies from luxury lodges, to fully equipped cottages and chalets down to camp and picnic sites.
Guided and self-guided day walks, hikes and rock art sites are available from all the major camps.
Or one can enjoy a day's peaceful fly fishing in one of the well stocked damn or rivers.
Whatever you choose to do, after a few days in the Drakensberg you will undoubtedly leave having been influenced by the peace and majesty of this magnificent mountain range.
The contrasting beauty of two of South Africa's World Heritage sites should rank high up on anyone's list.
They are the unique estuarine system of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands and the uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park.
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands.
This is South Africa's third largest park covering over 328000 hectares, (1266 square miles).
Of this, 84000 hectares, (324 square miles), is offshore stretching 3km, (1.
9miles), out and along the length of the coast.
Back on land, the park stretches from Maphelane, Cape St Lucia in the South up the 280km, (173 miles), of near pristine coast as far as the Maputaland Marine Reserve and Kosi Bay in the North.
Extending from temperate in the south to tropical in the north the area includes, five distinct eco systems, an amazing variety of differing habitats, flora and fauna - many of which are endemic to the area.
The hub of the area is Lake St Lucia.
The lake, although fed by several rivers is not a fresh water lake.
It is a 60km, (37mile), long shallow lagoon running parallel to the coast.
The mouth of the lagoon is narrow and sometimes closes up in times of low rainfall or drought.
This mingling of fresh and salt water results in varying degrees of salinity and different nutrients.
This, in turn, results in a wide variety of fish species and one of the most extensive varieties of birds recorded in any area.
These include many heron and kingfisher species, ibis, stork, pelican, flamingo, fish and crowned eagles, to name but a few.
Pelicans, spoonbills and gulls, amongst other, make use of the island in the lake as breeding grounds.
Large numbers of both crocodile and hippo are found in and around the lake and estuary system.
The town of St Lucia, bordering the estuary, offers a variety of accommodation.
Launch tours, walks and hiking trails are all available in the area.
The uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park.
For shear awe inspiring splendor the uKhalamba-Drakensberg Park is difficult to beat.
The average altitude is 3000m, (9842 feet), above sea level making it the highest range south of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Park covers 240000 hectares, (938 square miles).
Open spaces and rolling grasslands give way to a backdrop of gigantic peaks and towering cliffs.
Crystal clear waters flow through rocky gorges and steep sides rivers.
It is easy to lose one's sense of self as one savors the natural beauty and vastness of this awesome mountain range.
Cultural heritage in the Drakensberg is both simple and rich.
The San peoples, commonly recognized as the oldest original inhabitants of Southern Africa, occupied this area from the Stone Age through to the late 19th century.
Long since gone, they leave behind their unique art and a sense of spirit that is difficult not to feel.
San Rock art abounds.
Within the park there are some 600 sites which account for over 35000 single images.
The oldest of these dates back approximately 2400 years.
And the youngest from sometime toward the end of the nineteenth century.
These paintings typically depict scenes of food gathering, hunting, dancing, fighting and the spiritual life of the San people as well as the many animals that roamed the area.
Turning away from the confines of a protected cave one sees the same animals grazing in the valleys below.
Thankfully, the ecology of the area has been preserved.
The flora and fauna have not changed.
Numerous specious of buck inhabit the area.
These are more than sufficient to support predators such as leopard and jackal and several of the smaller cats along with the black eagle and bearded vultures.
A wide variety of accommodation options exist both within the park and in the private establishments and hotels bordering the park.
Accommodation within the park is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and varies from luxury lodges, to fully equipped cottages and chalets down to camp and picnic sites.
Guided and self-guided day walks, hikes and rock art sites are available from all the major camps.
Or one can enjoy a day's peaceful fly fishing in one of the well stocked damn or rivers.
Whatever you choose to do, after a few days in the Drakensberg you will undoubtedly leave having been influenced by the peace and majesty of this magnificent mountain range.
