There is a place in the Northern Drakensberg called The Lost Valley.

Up until the mid-1950s, a “White Tribe” lived there in extremely primitive circumstances. My father grew up in this green, fertile land, and made the rest of his life one to remember.

Geluksburg lies at the foot of these mountains. The story goes that in 1837 after Piet Retief passed over the Retief Pass, five of the families that traveled with him decided to stay behind in that town, and subsequently made the nearby mountains their home. Afraid of being butchered by the British and Zulus, they took refuge under the sandstone rock faces of the Northern Berg. There they stayed for over 115 years until they were re-discovered by a Rand Daily Mail journalist in the 1950s.

The Tintwa and Middledale passes are divided by a plateau only and offer a scenic drive with spectacular mountain views. This 90 km round trip is self-guided and better suited for high clearance vehicles. There are trails into the “lost valley” which are accessible by foot, crossing the original suspension bridge.

Read the full story about the white tribe of the lost valley here.

 

Directions to The Lost Valley from Oban Historical Guest Farm