Cave entrances
Park geography
Detailed terrain analysis, administrative location, and natural feature distribution data
Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Maloti-Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal
Maloti-Drakensberg Park encompasses a vast transboundary protected area between South Africa and Lesotho, covering a recorded 2493.13 square kilometers of alpine landscapes. This geographic profile details the park's mountainous relief, reaching a maximum elevation of 3482 meters, while documenting internal natural features including rivers, caves, and distinct peaks within the KwaZulu-Natal region.
A transboundary World Heritage Site linking the high mountains of Lesotho and South Africa.
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transboundary World Heritage Site that combines protected areas in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It was formally established by linking the Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho with the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in South Africa, creating a single internationally recognised heritage area across one of Africa's most dramatic mountain landscapes. The park covers the heart of the Drakensberg mountain system, the highest range in southern Africa, where steep escarpments, deep valleys, and high plateaus give way to montane and sub-alpine ecosystems of global biodiversity importance. Habitats here support high levels of plant and animal endemism, and the area is widely recognised for its extraordinary concentration of San rock art, which forms the largest single gallery of prehistoric paintings in the world. Beyond its natural values, the Maloti-Drakensberg Park is also a model of international cooperation in conservation. It forms part of a broader peace park initiative that aims to manage linked protected areas across the border as a coherent ecological and cultural landscape, linking highland wilderness protection with the protection of one of humanity's most important bodies of rock art.
- Location
- South Africa
- Park type
- Protected area
- Established
- 2001
- Area
- 2,493.1 km²
- Highest point
- 3,482 m
Location overview
Transboundary protected area spanning Lesotho and South Africa
Maloti-Drakensberg Park Geography and Location Overview
Maloti-Drakensberg Park spans multiple national territories, connecting Lesotho and South Africa through shared regional memberships in KwaZulu-Natal. Administrative records confirm its transboundary status across these associated geographic jurisdictions.
- Countries
- Lesotho, South Africa
- Regions
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Primary location
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Geographic setting
- Transboundary · Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Maloti-Drakensberg’s mapped extent spans 2,493.13 km²
Maloti-Drakensberg Park mapped boundary and 2,493.13 km² area
Maloti-Drakensberg Park is represented by geometry covering a documented 2,493.13 km². Its mapped form supports spatial understanding of this extensive park while avoiding a legal-survey claim.
- Boundary area
- 2,308.2 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 639.6 km
- Northernmost point
- 28.6508° S
- Southernmost point
- 29.9127° S
- Easternmost point
- 29.7423° E
- Westernmost point
- 28.8735° E
- Geographic centre
- 29.3743° S, 29.3938° E
- North–south span
- 139.9 km
- East–west span
- 84.4 km
Elevation and terrain
Recorded vertical relief data and internal natural features
Maloti-Drakensberg Park Elevation Range and Mountain Terrain Geography
Mountain terrain elevation statistics outline the highest point reaching 3482 meters across the protected landscape. Recorded natural feature cards detail internal caves, rivers, streams, and peaks with spatial relationships.
- Maximum elevation
- 3,482 m
- Highest point
- 3,482 m
Selected named natural features
Streams
KwaBhodla
Peaks
The Pimple
1,978 m
Rivers
Didima
Forests
Yellowwood Forest
Peaks
Perdeklip
1,625 m
Environmental setting
Alpine climate zones, montane forests, and mountain relief profiles
Maloti-Drakensberg Park Environmental Setting and Physical Classification
Recorded landscape features, habitat types, and climate classifications provide structured interpretive categories for the physical setting. Associated data records link these environmental classifications directly to relevant atlas destinations.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Alpine
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Cliffs · Waterfalls · Rivers
Habitat types
Montane forest · Alpine meadow
Park atlas
Compare surrounding mountain terrain and connected regional conservation landscapes
Explore Protected Areas and National Parks Near Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Browse nearby national parks and protected areas sharing the dramatic topography of the southern African escarpment. Regional comparison reveals how highland ecosystems and mountain habitats connect across the wider border landscape.
State or regional parkKwaZulu-Natal
Mapped location lies within the park boundary#1 closest
North
Royal Natal National Park: State or Regional Park in KwaZulu-Natal's Geography
Mapped boundaries and landscape context for South African protected areas.
Royal Natal National Park serves as a vital protected landscape within the diverse geography of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This state or regional park offers a focused point for atlas exploration, allowing for a detailed understanding of its mapped boundaries and regional significance. By examining Royal Natal National Park, users can gain specific insights into South Africa's network of protected natural areas and their distribution, enriching overall geographic comprehension.
- Area
- 80.94 km²
- Established
- 1916
- Relief
- Mountain
- Access
- Moderate access
National parkQacha's Nek District
Park boundaries overlap#2 closest
South
Sehlabathebe National Park: Mapped Protected Landscape in Lesotho's Maloti Mountains
Explore high-altitude terrain, waterfalls, and ancient rock art sites.
Sehlabathebe National Park stands as a protected national park within the rugged Maloti Mountains of Lesotho's Qacha's Nek District. This destination is vital for understanding the geographic context of protected areas, featuring dramatic cliffs, iconic waterfalls like Tsoelikana, and numerous rock art sites that speak to its cultural and historical significance. Its high-altitude Afro-Alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems offer unique landscape characteristics and support notable biodiversity, making it a key point of interest for atlas-driven exploration of natural and protected terrains.
- Area
- 69.5 km²
- Established
- 1969
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected areaKwaZulu-Natal
Park boundaries overlap#3 closest
Northeast
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: Protected Mountain Landscapes and Escarpment Geography in South Africa
Exploring the basalt cliffs and alpine plateau of KwaZulu-Natal.
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park encompasses an expansive protected region where the Drakensberg escarpment rises sharply from the foothills of KwaZulu-Natal. This atlas record details the park landscape, including its transition from sandstone terraces to high-altitude basalt, its extensive river gorges, and the concentration of archaeological cave sites. Use this resource to understand the geographic scale of this transboundary conservation area.
- Area
- 2,429.13 km²
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Access unknown
Nature reserveKwaZulu-Natal
About 17 km away#4 closest
Southeast
Coleford Nature Reserve: Protected Grasslands and Wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal
Tracing the landscape of a key Drakensberg foothill reserve
The Coleford Nature Reserve represents a critical protected area in the Southern Drakensberg, featuring threatened Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland. Its landscape is defined by the Ngwagwane River valley and diverse wetland systems, providing essential habitat for endangered bird species. This reserve functions as a gateway to the broader montane geography of the southwestern KwaZulu-Natal region.
- Area
- 12.72 km²
- Established
- 1948
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Highland
National parkFree State
21 km away#5 closest
North
Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Protected Area Atlas & Geographic Exploration
Mapping the natural terrain and boundaries of this national park.
Understand the geographic scope and protected landscape of Golden Gate Highlands National Park. This detail page provides an atlas-informed perspective on its natural terrain, mapped boundaries, and regional context within South Africa's Free State. It serves as a foundational entry point for exploring the park's specific geography and protected-area status.
- Area
- 340 km²
- Established
- 1963
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Nature reserveKwaZulu-Natal
About 24 km away#6 closest
East
Impendle Nature Reserve: Protecting Endangered Grasslands and Mistbelt Ecosystems
A highland conservation sanctuary in the KwaZulu-Natal region
Located in the mist-prone foothills of the Drakensberg, Impendle Nature Reserve stands as a critical block of surviving Midlands Mistbelt Grassland. The reserve terrain combines rugged dolerite ridges with moisture-rich seepage zones and wetlands, providing a specialized habitat for threatened bird species. This protected area remains a significant site for regional biodiversity, emphasizing scientific conservation over expansive development within the KwaZulu-Natal landscape.
- Area
- 30.46 km²
- Established
- 1983
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Upland
Nature reserveKwaZulu-Natal
25 km away#7 closest
Southeast
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve: High-Elevation Wetland Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas
A remote Drakensberg foothills wetland and montane grassland reserve.
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is recognized as the largest and one of the highest wetlands in South Africa. Located in the KwaZulu-Natal province, this protected area features a unique, misty plateau landscape that sustains diverse orchid flora and essential headwater ecosystems. Use these geographic maps to examine the terrain, park boundaries, and the ecological transition between rolling foothills and the Drakensberg escarpment.
- Area
- 92.87 km²
- Established
- 1978
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
Nature reserveKwaZulu-Natal
About 33 km away#8 closest
North
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve: Mapping KwaZulu-Natal Reservoir Landscapes and Heritage
Explore aquatic habitats and historic inland terrain.
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve serves as a focal point for protected biodiversity and historical land use in KwaZulu-Natal. The reserve spans a significant impoundment, creating a verdant aquatic habitat that contrasts with the surrounding grasslands and woodland terrain. Users can examine the park's boundaries and topographic features, including the historic Spion Kop battlefield that rises above the reservoir to anchor the northern landscape.
- Area
- 44 km²
- Established
- 1975
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring the Protected Landscapes of Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Trace the mountainous terrain and mapped boundaries of Maloti-Drakensberg Park within the broader MoriAtlas geographic database. Gain a deeper understanding of this transboundary heritage area through its unique mountain ecosystems and high-altitude geography.
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