DIDIMA ROCK ART CENTRE

 
"The San have been our forgotten people in the past but now I welcome them into the light, into their rightful place in our society."  uKhahlamba Drakensberg was inscribed into the World Heritage Site list on 29 November 2000. It was declared worthy of World Heritage Site status both for its cultural and natural significance. Its cultural significance is on rock art.The park contains more than 600 known rock art sites. 

Minister Valli Moosa officially opened Didima Rock Art Centre in 2003, through the generosity, vision and support of many contributors whose participation is gratefully acknowledged. San descendants from the uKhahlamba Drakensberg, WIMSA and SASI representatives, Mr. Valbooi and Mr. Chennels, amongst other guests, graced the opening of the centre.

A visit to the San Art centre leads a visitor along the journey of discovery using the significance of the eland in San culture as a theme that threads its way through the experience. The theme of the eland is first introduced in the innovative display hall. After the introduction to the fascinating culture and lifestyle of the San, the visitor is led into a small cave like room for a time of traditional fireside story telling, before moving on to the cultural auditorium for a screening of the inspiring and provocative audiovisual presentation.

The uniquely styled Didima cultural auditorium seats almost hundred visitors before a near life size replica of the Clarens sandstone overhang. The valley of the eland multimedia show, which plays for quarter of an hour, explores the truth, myth and legend surrounding the rock art imagery of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg. As the house lights fade in at the end of the show, an exact scale production of the well-known panel of Botha’s shelter in the Didima Gorge emerges. In the quite afterglow of this presentation visitors can take some time to view the overhang at leisure before exiting into the lower display area where they are introduced to the Ndumeni Craft Centre and Coffee Shop.

Visitors have an opportunity to purchase hand-made crafts made by local people. Overlooking a clear mountain stream is the thatched Ndumeni Coffee Shop, which has an ideal setting to enjoy a refreshing drink and a light lunch while soaking up the spectacular Drakensberg view. The menu includes teatime treats as well as light lunches and desserts and is a great way to finish the show and reflect on the fascinating history that surrounds us in this World Heritage Site.

Bookings:
Tel: 036 488 8025
Fax: 036 488 1346
E-Mail: ndumeni@kznwildlife.com
Manager: 036 488 8027
Private Bag x1
Winterton

Opening Times and Show times:
3340 08h00 - 16h00
Closed Between 13h00 - 14h00
Shows are played hourly between 09h00-12h00 and 15h00

Entry Fees:
These times can be changed at the discretion of the Manager without prior notice. Adults R40.00
Children R20.00
Adults (Museum only) R25.00
Children (Museum only) R15.00
Adults (Show only) R25.00
Children (Show only) R15.00
Tariffs are subject to alteration without prior notice and inclusive of VAT

Beside Didima Rock Art Centre, visitors can also visit Kamberg Rock Art Centre. The three-hour walk to the famous Game Pass Shelter is preceded by a spectacular DVD presentation at the state-of-the-art Interpretive Centre that caters for a maximum of ten people at a time. Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre is located just outside Kimberley in Northern Cape. This visitor centre contains a craft centre, displays and a 25-minute film. Visitors can then choose to go on an audio tour of the site, and enjoy fascinating commentary at each of 10 marked "stations". Alta Museum is another favourable rock art destination located within another World Heritage Site in Alta, Norway. They provide summer guided walks along a wooden footway for 1.2 km on the west side of the bay, which lasts about 45 minutes.

'SOME COMMENTS FROM THE VISITOR`S BOOK'
John Vinnicombe, Underberg
Extremely well done. Breathtakinng. Thank you all. 

S. Thompson (Umhlali, RSA):
Wonderful experience, a feather in the cap of South African Tourism! Keep it up  

Christine Mayor, 2004 Germany
Very informative, interesting and impressive. Good explanation. 

Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism (KZN)
Excellent set-up. Keep up the good work. Excellent helpful staff. Thanks!

Rachel West:
Thank you very much for an informative and inspiring display. You deserve every success with it
It has left me wanting to know more about the San people and their relationship with the eland-Thanks again. 
  
MediCross Group, Randburg (Johannesburg):
Very informative, well presented. Worth every minute will definitely recommend a visit.