The southern Drakensberg escarpment does not appear to be as high as its more northern reaches, but this is only because there is less of a height difference between it and its foothills. One result of this is that its valleys are generally not as deep and steep-sided as those further north. This greatly facilitates movement around the lower Berg without the need to venture onto the escarpment, an advantage which is exploited by the Giant’s Cup Trail. The southern Berg is home to the highest pub in Africa (at the top of Sani Pass) and the highest peak in southern Africa (Thabana Ntlenyana, 3482 metres).

The gateways to the southern Drakensberg are Underberg and its smaller neighbour, Himeville, separated by a mere 4 km. Underberg is a hive of activity during the week as it is the hub of the local farming and hospitality industries. The quaint little village of Himeville is largely residential. If you want to know more about the history of the area, the Himeville Fort & Museum is well worth a visit.

There are so many hotels, cottages, country homes, campsites and restaurants in and around Underberg and Himeville that visitors can be lost for choice. Well-known annual events such as the Drak Challenge canoe race, the sani2c mountain bike race and the Splashy Fenn outdoor music festival have their homes here. The Sani Spoors mountain bike trails provide over 100 km of route options, allowing mountain bike enthusiasts to savour the countryside, following the banks of the Umzimkhulu River and dodging dairy cows along the way. The Underberg Country Club is the site of polocrosse and golfing events. Several adventure and tour companies operate out of Underberg, offering excursions up Sani Pass and into Lesotho, as well as guided hiking trips. There is also a gliding club nearby on the Bushman’s Nek road.

The southern Drakensberg is obviously the first section of the mountain range to be confronted by cold fronts moving up from the south. Precipitation occurs when the moist, cold air reaches the escarpment. As a result, snow is quite common in the area, even in the villages of Underberg and Himeville. Summer thunderstorms can be particularly violent, bringing torrential rain and heavy hail.