Royal Natal National Park

Name: Royal Natal National Park
Address: South Africa

Royal Natal National Park in the northern Drakensberg is known for its Amphitheatre, a rock wall stretching approximately five kilometers. From it, the Tugela Falls cascade almost 950 meters in several stages. The park is part of the Maloti-Drakensberg UNESCO World Heritage and offers hiking trails for all levels.

Sights in Royal Natal National Park

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Tugela Falls and Amphitheatre

The Tugela Falls plunge approximately 950 meters in five stages from the edge of the Amphitheatre. Two routes exist: from the valley floor, you can hike 14 km return through Tugela Gorge to the cliff base. From the top, you can access the escarpment edge via Sentinel car park (Free State side) and two chain ladders. After rain, the falls are fullest in summer.

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Restaurants in Royal Natal National Park

Landscape and Hiking

The National Park was founded in 1916 and received its name after the visit of the British Royal Family in 1947. It is part of the transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Maloti-Drakensberg Park. The Amphitheatre with Mont-aux-Sources, where the Orange and Tugela originate, is one of Africa's most famous rock face backdrops. In addition to the Tugela Gorge, there are easier trails to rock pools and viewpoints in the valley, plus San rock paintings.

Arrival and Orientation

The park lies roughly 300 kilometers west of Durban and about 350 kilometers southeast of Johannesburg; the nearest towns are Bergville and Harrismith. The main entrance with Thendele Camp is located in the valley, while the Sentinel car park for ascending to the plateau is only accessible from the Free State side via Phuthaditjhaba. In summer, thunderstorms often gather in the afternoons; start hikes early.