The Drakensberg Mountains are best visited in the western corner of KwaZulu-Natal. Here, they rise to their imposing best, forming the impenetrable border with Lesotho. The mountains thoroughly deserve their Zulu name of uKhahlamba, meaning barrier of spears, and any time spent here will be dominated by their presence. It’s a part of the world for active people and nature lovers. Hiking is obviously popular and fishing is also a possibility. The mountains are home to wildlife such as the mighty eland antelope, and for bird watchers, a visit to Giant’s Castle to try and spot the Lammergeier Vulture is a must. The San people were present here from over 8,000 years ago and as well as walks to see their rock art in caves, there is an excellent interpretive centre at Didima Camp. For the fit and adventurous, there is the chance to climb Cathedral Peak, at just over 3,000 metres high. Slightly further north is the beautiful Royal Natal National Park, with the stunning Amphitheatre, a towering cliff face approximately 5 kilometres long and 1,200 metres high. It was used as the backdrop to the Michael Cane film, Zulu, a reminder that the Battlefields of the Zulu wars are but a short journey away from here.