Half-day hiking tour from Durban to Drakensberg Mountains

Hike through peaks, valleys and waterfalls in seven hours from Durban

A half-day hiking tour from Durban to the Drakensberg Mountains with a live English-speaking guide and hotel pickup. You hike trails ranging from gentle walks to challenging routes through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing ancient San rock art and diverse wildlife, then return to Durban by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking tour in Drakensberg Mountains

• Depart from Durban at 6am
• Hike in Drakensberg Mountains
• Take a short lunch break
• Return to Durban

The experience

The tour departs Durban at 6am and covers the roughly two-hour drive to the Drakensberg Mountains, a range that stretches across South Africa and forms a natural boundary with Lesotho. Known locally as uKhahlamba, meaning "Barrier of Spears" in Zulu, the mountains rise as towering peaks and rugged cliffs above rolling valleys. The guide leads you onto trails that vary from gentle walks to more demanding hikes, each one chosen to match the group's fitness level and reveal different parts of the landscape.

As you trek, you move through lush green foothills and encounter rare bird species, wildflowers and ancient San rock art carved into the stone. The dramatic scenery shifts from one vantage point to the next: cascading waterfalls, narrow gorges, and panoramic views across the valleys. A short lunch break interrupts the hiking before the return drive to Durban, arriving back in the early afternoon.

What’s included

• Tour guide in English.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Durban.
• hiking on trails throughout the Drakensberg Mountains.
• access to San rock art sites and the UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 26 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cape Touring

Is this one for you?Seven hours round-trip leaves the rest of your day free in Durban, so this works as a morning excursion without consuming the full day. If you want to spend longer in the mountains or tackle more challenging terrain, a full-day option would suit you better.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

How far is the Drakensberg Mountains from Durban?

The drive takes roughly two hours each way, with departure at 6am and return in the early afternoon, making the full outing seven hours including hiking time and a lunch break.

What kind of hiking trails will I be on?

Trails range from gentle walks to challenging hikes, all chosen to suit the group's fitness level. The guide selects the route based on who is hiking that day.

Will I see wildlife and cultural sites?

The Drakensberg is home to rare bird species and wildflowers, and the hikes pass ancient San rock art sites that add a cultural layer to the mountain experience.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, all hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, hotel pickup and drop-off in Durban, and access to the trails and rock art sites.