The Drakensberg Mountains are Southern Africa’s Alps, rising more than 11,000 feet into the sky. But beneath their shimmering beauty lies an incredibly hostile environment for the creatures that manage to live there. Each spring, drenching rains destroy the grasslands at the base of the mountains, and those who would survive must climb up sheer cliffs of volcanic rock, through gauntlets of storms and snow, to reach the carpets of new grass on the plateau. The baboons that make their home halfway up the heights may have the advantage of agility, but eland, the world’s largest antelope, have long, spindly legs and heavy bodies, which make their climb to the top all but unbelievable. All have babies at their sides. And the vultures circle overhead. Buy the DVD. This film premiered February 8, 2009.
What a great show.
This show brought me back to the very special place the Drakesberg is,to my time as Officer-in-Charge, Monk’s Cowl Section of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park between 1998 and 2002, very well presented and narrated. No doubt a jewel of Africa.
this show really touched my heart.
Phenominal production! For some reason the narration was missing from Sunday’s GPB broadcast; we have no idea why. So glad I could watch it on the computer and get the narration. Very unusual story and amazing things I never heard of before. Amazing is our planet earth!
The soundtrack’s Zulu? choir — who is that?
Is this information on the website somewhere?
If you like the soundtrack — look up Ladysmith Black Mambazo :)
wonderful show
It was great!
THE BEST SHOW I EVER SEE BEFORE
I was deeply impressed.
Can I get the full script?
I’m looking for a way to buy the music from Drakensberg:Barrier of Spears.
Thank you so much.
Loved it. I grew up at the foot of the Drakensberg and it really took me home.
Very subtle and powerful nature movie.
I loved that it didn’t impose any ideas “about” but just narrated mother nature in its workings, thank you!
I would love to add one of the video clips to the art history site I am creatine.
http://www.ahaafoundation.org
I am putting “a walk about” the world of art online because art is important to life
I learned so much from this. Thanks.
I just love all the episodes that PBS has.
Wonderfully done.
this brought sorrow to my heart
This episode is so uplifting and exhilarating, it captured the true heart and essence of what an untamed, unspoiled wilderness is, a paradise. The narrator was fantastic and the background music, along with the scenery of Drakensberg, was just simply profound.
Thank you,
PBS/NATURE
The best I have ever seen of mother Africa, thank you and remain blessed.
ZJ
We would love so much to have the opportunity to watch these videos in Canada. How and when it will be possible?
Thank you so much
Jenny,
In the UK the BBC broadcast this episode in a subtly refashioned version on the date of your posting. If you can access the BBC’s iPlayer or otherwise then search for ‘Africas Dragon Mountain’.
Can’t view the video. We were only home to see a part of the program last night but wanted to see the rest. ….message says “cannot show due to ‘rights restrictions’”. We are and have been for several years, subscribers in Alberta. What are these restrictions?
Secondly, Asked for Zip code, here it is called Postal Code and consists of both letters and numbers, could you adjust the question so that both numerals and letters are accepted..
Beautiful program. Thank you so much ! I would also be interested in the knowing the origin of the music used in the video. I love it !
South Africa is one of my favorite countries on the world.
South africa is just the most amazing country in the world with regards to geography, wildlife and culture…
I’m dessapointed, not even in Puerto Rico, which is a territory of the U.S. and has its own PBS station, I’m allow to watch the program. Same thing, “rights restrictions”.
m I WISH THEY WOULD BRING UP THE LEPORDS EPISODE ALREADY
I find it amazing the Elan have no predators preying on them!
I carry on listening to the reports speak about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?
This is show just fills my heart with nostalgia, a long for my homeland, a beautiful place on the face of this planet.
Amazing place..
I love Nature, thanks PBS..
The Drakensberg is my favorite place on earth, the place my heart calls home. As a young child I spent numerous summers camping and hiking there with family and friends. I enjoyed seeing places in the video that I have actually been to. It has been ten long years since I have seen those beautiful mountains in person. Thanks PBS for this video. I can’t wait for my American-born children to watch it.
Great. Thanks PBS
This is stupid, Won’t let us watch it. :(
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I’m watching “Invincible” in my room. Waiting for the kids to finish up with club :) I have everyone packed and ready to head home!
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the soundtrack vocals were done by Zimbabwean vocal group called Insingizi. Check them on http://www.insingizi.net