| Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | |
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.