Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Encyclopedia
Underberg is an administrative town in a dairy
and cattle
farming community in the Mzimkulu River valley of KwaZulu-Natal
, South Africa
. It is situated at the foot of the 1,904 m Hlogoma Peak (place of echoes) in the foothills of the southern Drakensberg
, KwaZulu-Natal. Underberg began in 1917 when the railway from Pietermaritzburg
reach the area. It is an important commercial centre for the region's farming industry providing many of the support services. It is also a trading point for people who come down the nearby Sani Pass from Lesotho.
The town also houses provincial offices of Social Welfare, Transport, and a Clinic; as well as the municipal library. The Underberg School offers pre-primary and primary education. Churches in town are the Catholic Church, Congregational Church and Highlands Church International.
Tourism in the area is the second biggest industry next to farming. The area surrounding Underberg provides a large variety of tourism offerings, being a gateway to the Southern Drakensberg. The Southern Drakensberg Community Tourism Organisation was established by the community in 2007 and is operational in the area to promote tourism under the Southern Berg Escape brand.
Underberg offers a variety of accommodation and eatery options, mostly of casual nature to suit most tastes. To enjoy the full extent of Southern Drakensberg, tourists are encouraged to stay in Underberg for more than one day, to be able to take in and appreciate the true splendour of the Southern Berg.
The Underberg district is, along with Dullstroom
, Mpumalanga
one of South Africa's premier flyfishing
destinations. Splashy Fen
, an annual outdoor music festival, is held on a farm near Underberg.
The internationally acclaimed Sani2C Mountain Bike race held annually starts in Underberg, while the grueling Joberg2C MTB Race passes through along the same route on Day 6 thereof. Paddlers from far and wide gather annually for the Drak Challenge canoe race held on the Mzimkulu river.
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
and cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
farming community in the Mzimkulu River valley of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is situated at the foot of the 1,904 m Hlogoma Peak (place of echoes) in the foothills of the southern Drakensberg
Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to in height. In Zulu, it is referred to as uKhahlamba , and in Sesotho as Maluti...
, KwaZulu-Natal. Underberg began in 1917 when the railway from Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
reach the area. It is an important commercial centre for the region's farming industry providing many of the support services. It is also a trading point for people who come down the nearby Sani Pass from Lesotho.
The town also houses provincial offices of Social Welfare, Transport, and a Clinic; as well as the municipal library. The Underberg School offers pre-primary and primary education. Churches in town are the Catholic Church, Congregational Church and Highlands Church International.
Tourism in the area is the second biggest industry next to farming. The area surrounding Underberg provides a large variety of tourism offerings, being a gateway to the Southern Drakensberg. The Southern Drakensberg Community Tourism Organisation was established by the community in 2007 and is operational in the area to promote tourism under the Southern Berg Escape brand.
Underberg offers a variety of accommodation and eatery options, mostly of casual nature to suit most tastes. To enjoy the full extent of Southern Drakensberg, tourists are encouraged to stay in Underberg for more than one day, to be able to take in and appreciate the true splendour of the Southern Berg.
The Underberg district is, along with Dullstroom
Dullstroom
Dullstroom-Emnotweni is one of the coldest towns in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, and along with Underberg, it is one of South Africa's premier flyfishing destinations...
, Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga , is a province of South Africa. The name means east or literally "the place where the sun rises" in Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, north of KwaZulu-Natal and bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area...
one of South Africa's premier flyfishing
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
destinations. Splashy Fen
Splashy Fen
Established in 1990, Splashy Fen is South Africa’s longest-running music festival, which every Easter attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal for a unique outdoor music experience....
, an annual outdoor music festival, is held on a farm near Underberg.
The internationally acclaimed Sani2C Mountain Bike race held annually starts in Underberg, while the grueling Joberg2C MTB Race passes through along the same route on Day 6 thereof. Paddlers from far and wide gather annually for the Drak Challenge canoe race held on the Mzimkulu river.