Underberg is a newly discovered jewel in the Southern Drakensberg in the far west of Kwa Zulu-Natal. It is situated against the southern foothills of the Drakensberg. The berg and area was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. It enjoys special protection by the United Nations Conservation treaty. It is a high rainfall area and serves as a spurge to the rest of the Province. Many pollution free rivers cascade down the sides of the berg then along the Umkomaas, Umzimkulu Polele, Umzimvubu Rivers & further north to the Tugela.

There are several internationally important Bushman paintings sites which vary in age from 4000 years old to only 150 years old. Scenes of the first white settlers and the Nguni Settlers from East Africa are depicted in some paintings. Today the culture remains varied with an English, Afrikaans and Zulu population.

The area boasts two of the highest peaks in the Drakensberg, Hutchinson’s Peaks. The height of the south peaks, 3252 m, the north peak at 3258 m. These can be seen from a long distance away.

There are several smaller nature reserves within the uKhahlamba World Heritage Area- Cobham, Loteni and Vergelegen Reserves. They are administered by KZN Conservation Services.

 

In the village of Himeville is the location of one of the only few roosts of the Amur Falcons. (Previously called Eastern red footed Kestrel.) There are several thousands bird roosting here from September to March every year. They are migrants from Eastern Europe and will do the journey twice a year, a distance of 16 000 kms!! (Unfortunately aerial crop spraying affects these little falcons, several are poisoned every year)

There is an impressive Biodiversity. The most striking would be the flowering plants. There are more than 300 species in the Sani Pass valley alone. There are seven species of Protea, of which

Prapelia and caffera being the most prominent. There are some yellowwood trees in the sheltered areas and in the open grassland are tree ferns. The grassland itself is a protected and endangered habitat.

The winter is recognized by rolling brown hills and white tipped peaks. The winter draws many photographers from the cities as the contrasts of colors are most striking at this time of the year. Besides the local environment, which has its own and many attractions, the Underberg area is also the gateway to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Here another culture that of the Basotho people awaits the visitor. The Lesotho environment is more challenging to the visitor as it is usually colder and very desolate. The view from the top down to Underberg is spectacular. The farming activity is mostly dairy farming. Some of the most productive milking farms in the country are in this area. There are beef farms, some apples orchards and a few farmers trying their hand at olives, emus and cheese production. The two villages Underberg and Himeville are only 5 km apart and are administered by one Municipality. Underberg is also known as one of the countries best fly fishing destinations as yet unspoilt by development. As a dairy farming area there are many farm dams. Most of which are stocked with trout and kilometers of river frontage with wild spawned rainbow trout.

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