In the news… Open Africa launches Drakensberg Experience OPEN Africa, a Section 21 company that facilitates community driven tourism routes throughout Africa, launched the Drakensberg Experience at the end of August.  Open Africa was keen to support the Drakensberg Experience as the route goes from Hidecote in the southern ‘Berg to Sterkfontein Dam in the north, covering an astonishing range of terrain and attractions.  Open Africa’s operations manager, Francois Viljoen, said the Drakensberg Experience was one of the most extensive projects he had ever worked on: “What makes the route unique is the variety.  “From Weenen’s thornveld vegetation with its rhino, to birds of prey at Falcon Ridge, with options for hiking, adventure sports, horse trails, fishing, historic, prehistoric and fossil sites, 4x4 trails, game viewing, hunting, a cultural village, San rock paintings – in fact the list is endless.” Authentic culture with Ghost Mountain Inn GHOST Mountain Inn in Zululand has become a base from which to explore the wildlife and coastal reserves in Maputaland and the Elephant Coast. In the pipeline for the hotel is a new boardroom to offer conference facilities. In the meantime, the hotel is introducing community outreach programmes.

Justice Miyeni used to be the chef at the hotel and on retirement set up his own business offering cultural tours to guests. This is a very different experience to the choreographed and showbiz shows offered by many cultural villages. It is the real thing with no gloss. The tour visits Zulu homes, features cultural activities, introduces guests to local inhabitants, and includes a scenic drive across the Lebombo Mountains and a game-viewing boat cruise on Lake Jozini.