BERGFREE ADVENTURES
NEWSLETTER NUMBER 103
22 October 2010

Headwater – Drakensberg & Zululand 04-10
26 September to 8 October 2010
English hikers


NB For more information on HEADWATER Holidays , based in Northwich in England, visit www.headwater.com or visit the Headwater Guided Walking Holiday in the Drakensberg & Zululand page



The Headwater Hiking Group from the U.K met each other for the 1st time at the new Durban King Shaka airport in Kwa Zulu-Natal , South Africa. This group would spend the next 13 days hiking and sharing new and unique experiences together in a variety of ever changing weather.

Our party included John and Sandra , John and Fiona , Ian and Maggie, Richard and Wendy , Mathew and Elizabeth, and our driver Ronnie.

The Headwater Tour is a hiking holiday that includes 6 days of hiking in the mountains of Central and Northern part of the mighty UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site.

We enjoy comfortable accommodation at the Champagne Castle Hotel, the Cavern Hotel. Isandlwana lodge and Falaza Private Game Park

Daily hikes into the mountains take place in the Injisuthi, Monk’s Cowl, Cathedral and the Royal Natal Drakensberg Park areas. Visiting ancient San art sites



As well as hiking in the differing areas of the Central at Cathedral Peak



Then the towering cliffs of the Incredible Amphitheatre Wall and surrounding areas of the Northern Berg



Then on the last afternoon we visited the site of the “Silent Woman”



A visit to three important Battlefields of the Anglo Boer, and Anglo Zulu wars, namely Spionkop , Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift . These great battles are brilliantly brought to life and reality by our very experienced Battlefield experts, Including Rob Gerrard of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Spionkop Battlefield



Then on to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. This includes a walk along the original wagon trail used by Lord Chelmsford when he moved from Rorke’s Drift to the fatal Isandlwana camp area. Walking through traditional African areas. Here we use a local guide to fill us in on local tradition and habits.



We move to the Hluhluwe area to Falaza and to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserves , and the World Heritage Wetlands site at St Lucia Estuary,



Ending up with and a final walk along the beach to the end point of the holiday at the St Lucia Estuary mouth to the sea – now blocked by a great sandbank



One can truly say “A wonderful walk from the Mountains to the Sea.” This is certainly a “different” sort of walking holiday, and good fitness does play a part in enjoying a holiday like this .

To my hiking companions, thank you for your company, it was a great to spend time with you in the vast open areas of Kwa Zulu-Natal..

I hope that this trip may have opened new horizons for you.

Dave Bergfree Adventures www.bergfree.co.za


NB For more information on HEADWATERS Holidays visit www.headwater.com

To review past Headwater – Drakensberg and Zululand Tours, visit my website and go to my Newsletter numbers , 26, 30, 33 , 39 , 53 , 65 , 66, 75 , 79 , 84 and 89 at www.bergfree.co.za under the Newsletter section

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FEEDBACK FROM HIKERS

Thanks David,

We had a wonderful time during our first ever trip to South Africa. Being back in the fens we’re missing mountains already.
Many thanks,

Rick & Wendy

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Hi David

Thanks again very much for such a memorable adventure. We got back OK and on time plus with all our bags!!

Back at work now and so it’s pay back time…..

Regards

John

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Hi David,

Lovely to hear from you - it was indeed a great trip, despite the sneezes!

Must say, it was also a great group to be with and John and I had many silly and enjoyable times.

Your guiding skills and company made the holiday a trip to remember - it was excellent.

Many thanks,

Sandra and John