My last of a fabulous few days in the foothills of the Drakensberg. Why fabulous? I was lucky. I picked the right guest house. The owners (aside from being lovely, warm people) are infinitely knowledgeable about THEIR Drakensberg. And passionate about Bushman rock art.

I had been thinking “primitive daubs”. Now I know better. The Drakensberg has the world’s richest treasure trove of stoneage rock art. With artistic skills honed by a tradition of total intimacy with their environment, the Bushmen expressed their life experiences in art painted in the caves and overhangs in the mountains. They are drawings of infinite detail, sensitivity, movement and meaning. I mourn the cruel destruction of a civilisation that had much to teach us about “sustainability”. Only a few artifacts and 35 000 paintings, slowly weathering away, remain to tell the story of the Bushman.

The top three Drakensberg destinations to see Bushman rock painting are: Game Pass Shelter in the Kamberg, Main Cave at Giant’s Castle and Battle Cave at Injasuti. KZN Wildlife operates guided tours from all three of these locations daily.

There are literally thousands of other places in the Drakensberg where you can view Bushman paintings. But if you’re looking for destinations other than the “big three" mentioned above, then you’re going to have to get your hiking boots on. Recent legislation in South Africa has recognized this amazing outdoor art gallery, and that each painting is an irreplaceable treasure. As such they are protected. Please don’t touch. Or I’ll kill you.