South Africa: From the mountains to the sea

CAIRO -18 August 2017: After leaving Lesotho, I entered South Africa again. The first place I visited was the picturesque Rustler’s Valley, where I camped. The next day I reached Clarens through some beautiful routes.

This town is considered the art capital of South Africa. Various artists have gathered there and that is obvious in the atmosphere. There was a beer festival going on that weekend with live music, plenty of grilled meat which South Africans adore and of course, plenty of beer! Clarens was full of visitors and the characteristic sound of Harley Davidson motorbikes was all over the place.


These impressive rock formations can be found close to Fouriesburg. By Madnomad

I could not wait to visit the Golden Gate Highlands National Park that is located on the Drakensberg mountain range! They are called Dragon Mountains because, if seen from far away, they look like a dragon’s back. I was hosted inside the national park in a beautiful place in front of the huge Brandwag Buttress. The park is famous for the golden colors that the rocks get around sunset.


Full moon over the famous Brandwag Buttress… Magic! By Madnomad

I was riding around while I ran across beautiful animals including wildebeests, impalas, springboks and zebras! I was looking forward to hike for a day to Sentinel Peak. This is considered one of the country’s most impressive hikes but unfortunately, the weather was not on my side… I was constantly walking in the clouds at an altitude of over 3,000 m (9,843 ft). I was right next to the world’s second-tallest waterfall, Tugela, but I was not able to enjoy that fabulous view.


The Golden Gate Highlands National park is famous for the stunning golden colors that the rocks get around sunset…By Madnomad

It was time to leave the mountains behind and descend to the sea. I reached Zululand through beautiful forests. I had a chance to visit a traditional Zulu settlement and learn a few things about the customs of this warlike tribe which is famous even in Greece. Actually, for some reason we have many jokes in Greece involving the Zulu tribe!


This is a sangoma, a Zulu traditional healer.By Madnomad

I reached Mtunzini through some quiet country roads, riding up and down green hills. I enjoyed the Indian Ocean coastline, the tropical vegetation of the region and a nice boat-ride in the river. However, it was time to leave South Africa, so I headed northeast to enter in the tiny country of Swaziland…


A quiet boat-ride in Mlalazi River, where the settlement of Mtunzini is.By Madnomad

This article was originally published by Madnomad blog