The Drakensberg is South Africa's great mountain wall, a World Heritage area of basalt cliffs and rolling grassland that is known for hiking and for ancient San rock art. This full-day tour from Durban visits the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park for about three hours, spends another three hours among the mountains on a hike, stops at Howick Falls for an hour and visits the Nelson Mandela Capture Site for two hours, with a drive through the Midlands on the way. The capture site marks the place near Howick where Mandela was arrested in 1962, and it has a striking steel sculpture and an exhibition. The tour is rated 4.1 from seventeen reviews and starts at half past seven in the morning, with pickup within about fifty kilometres of Durban. It is a long day, but it combines landscape, history and light exercise in one trip.
The route
The tour covers the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Drakensberg Mountains hiking, Howick Falls, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and the Midlands Meander. Total time is about nine hours. Because the mountains are far inland, much of the day is on the road, so travel light, bring snacks and settle in for the drive. Admission to the park and the sites is shown as included, along with a tour guide.
What to bring and wear
Hiking shoes or sturdy trainers, layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen and water. The mountains can be cool and weather can change quickly, and cloud sometimes hides the peaks, so be flexible. The hike is described as light, but ask the operator about its length and difficulty if anyone in your group has limited mobility. Photography is rewarding, particularly at the falls and in the late afternoon light.
Choosing between day trips
The Drakensberg is the best choice for landscape and a bit of walking, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is for wildlife and the Valley of a Thousand Hills is for a short cultural outing. Pickup covers hotels, cruise ship terminals and the airport within about fifty kilometres of Durban, and free cancellation is available up to twenty-four hours before the start, so you can lock in a date and still change your plan. Book ahead in peak season and check the forecast.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day trip from Durban with pickup, a park visit, a light hike, Howick Falls and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site.
Best time
Clear, dry days give the best mountain views, and the early start helps beat the afternoon cloud.
How long
About nine hours, starting at half past seven in the morning.
Tips
Wear sturdy shoes and layers, bring water and snacks, check the forecast and ask about hike difficulty if mobility is limited.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers, photographers and history fans who want mountains and heritage in one day.
- Families
- Best for older children, since the day is long and includes a hike.
- Couples
- Share the scenery and the story of the Capture Site on a day out of the city.
- Pair with
- A beach day afterwards, or a Valley of a Thousand Hills trip on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What does the day trip include?+
A guide, entry to the sites, a Drakensberg hike, Howick Falls, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and the Midlands Meander.
How long is it?+
About nine hours, with a half past seven start and pickup within about fifty kilometres of Durban.
What is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site?+
It marks the place near Howick where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962, and it has a sculpture and an exhibition.
Can I cancel?+
Yes, free cancellation is available up to twenty-four hours before the start.
Do I need to be fit?+
The hike is described as light, but wear proper shoes and ask the operator about length and difficulty if anyone has limited mobility.
