Bergville (J12)

Name:Bergville

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Historic fact:
Bergville
Less than 40km from the towering Amphitheatre of Royal Natal National Park, this ideally situated agricultural and trading centre was laid out in 1897 by a retired sea captain. British forces built a blockhouse in the settlement two years later at the onset of the Anglo-Boer War - that building is now a Monument and Museum within the grounds of the local Court House.


The nearby Rangeworthy Military Cemetery contains graves of British soldiers killed in the battles of Spioenkop and Bastion Hill. It's on private land, however, and the farmer's permission should be sought before venturing in.


Other interesting info:
Cannibal Cavern, Northern Drakensberg
When Shaka's impis raged through natal in the 1820's, smaller clans were forced to flee. Some took refuge in overhangs in the little Berg and had to resort to cannibalism to survive. Sidinane was the chief here.

Kaalvoet Vrou (Barefoot woman), Drakensberg
At Voortrekker Pass there is a monument of a woman walking away from Natal. This is in memory of Susanna Smit, sister of Gert Maritz, who declared that she would rather trek barefoot back over the Berg than live in Natal under British rule.

Located in Voortrekker Pass near Bergville.

More: http://www.drakensberg.kzn.org.za/drakensberg//about/31.htmlThe Amphitheatre, Drakensberg

Where to stay:

Agents
Central Drakensberg Information Centre
Telephone:(036) 4881207

Drakensberg Tourism Association
Telephone: ( 036 ) 448 1557

Mountain Reservations
Telephone:(036)4482745

Sani Stagger: Because of the logistics, the entries are limited and therefore it is important to enter early via the website: www.sanistagger.com