Book excerpt: Both natural history guide and travellers' companion, this book presents the many faces of South Africa's mighty eastern escarpment. It showcases the Drakensberg's pristine wilderness areas and its rich wildlife heritage, its historical significance - preserved in abundant rock art - and its fascinating geological make-up. At the same time, it facilitates travel in the vast playground by providing maps, lists of walks and hikes (graded for their degree of difficulty) in the main reserves, recommended routes and sites, brief descriptions of towns and villages in the area and what they offer from a natural history and cultural standpoint, accommodation, contact details and numerous practical tips.