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Focus on the Drakensberg |
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Written by Peter Burgess
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Friday, 11 June 2010 |
 Cathedral Peak Also, the BBC commissioned Africa's Dragon Mountain , a Natural World investigation of the ever changing climate of the mountains and the nomadic way wild eland chase the spring blooming vegetation up the mountains before the coming of the winter snows. Sadly the South Africa Walks are now unavailable on BBC iplayerbut no doubt will be available on DVD soon! In the meantime visit the snow and mountain grandeur of: AFRICA'S DRAGON MOUNTAIN  From Didama Camp
South Africa Walks: Julia has been a regular visitor to the Rainbow Nation, but this is her chance to go beyond the normal tourist destinations to a series of increasingly remote locations. However, these are walks that any reasonably adventurous walker could embark on, and they offer a fresh and personal perspective on a friendly and fascinating country that is often misunderstood. Peter's following escapade, shows that a competent British walker, armed with a map, compass, a few hours, fitness and common sense can even venture off on their own, where there isn't a chance of being eaten by lions of course!
Camel's Peak and the Lesotho Wall 2004 with Peter Burgess  Snow in Africa!
After being given the opportunity to visit the Republic of South Africa for two weeks in 2004 I jumped at the opportunity. With other educators in tow, a group of us spent two roller coaster weeks in a vast range of Durban schools, visiting the wide range of establishments in this beautiful, but still predominantly economically deprived country. After an emotional second week for four of us, placed in our township schools, we decided to end our once-in-a-lifetime visit by arranging a night away in the Drakensburg. Although only spending a night away, we visited a location with cave paintings and I convinced our guide to let me go alone to the summit of Camel's Peak near the Lesotho Wall of the Drakensberg.
 Wild Eland
The four tabs below briefly outline the four BBC4 programmes which focussed on walking in RSA. Visit the 'South Africa Walks' website in the related links above to see more information:
The Garden Route - Julia walks the sun-drenched Garden Route on Africa's southern coastline. The southern coastline of Africa is home to the sun-drenched Garden Route. With fabulous beaches and immense flora and fauna, this is an increasingly popular holiday spot, but Julia's walk reveals secrets of the history of the Rainbow Nation. She even encounters research suggesting that this abundant spot gave rise to the modern human race.
With her Xhosa guide Willie bringing every feature to life, Julia finds her first walk an absolute delight. Here is proof of South Africa's warm and friendly welcome and of the constant surprises it has to offer.
The Drakensberg - The 3,000m Cathedral Peak is the ambition for Julia Bradbury and her Zulu guide Zee.
 Caught in a storm! Julia moves to the interior for her second walk and the grandest mountain range in southern Africa, the Drakensberg. The 3,000m Cathedral Peak is the ambition for Julia and her Zulu guide Zee. As she quickly discovers, even the fittest and most experienced walkers need luck on their side when it comes to the dramatic weather of these mountains. With Zulus, Brits and Boers to provide the history, this is an outing filled with drama and fascination set against a backdrop sometimes described as the most beautiful on earth.
The Kruger - Julia heads out on foot in one of the world's most famous game reserves. The Kalahari - A visit to the Augrabies Falls at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. |
| HAVE YOU SEEN? |
 As a child growing up, it was always a bit of a chicken and an egg, whether it was my interest in geography that led to my love of the landscape or the other way around. Whatever it was, I always had an interest in how the landscape was formed and at school, like so many others, it was geomorphology that led to an increased understanding of the world around me. From those school years learning about the diffluence col at Blea Tarn or the Chapel Stile Rock Barrier and its importance in the formation of Elterwater, there has been a massive void in the guidebook market. Now this niche has been filled by Peter Wilson's excellent new book called 'Lake District Mountain Landforms'. |
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 This five part series features an hour long documentary of the famous fell walker and guide writer, and four 30 minute programmes with Julia Bradbury walking in AW's footsteps along his favourite walks. Including Haystacks, Blencathra, Castle Crag and the highest English Munro of them all, this is a definite view for anyone interested in AW, the fells or both. |
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"If you dear readers should get a bit of grit in your boots as you are crossing Hay Stacks in the years to come, please treat it with respect. It might be me." A Wainwright 1907-1991
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