The Royal Natal National Park is located in the Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Royal Natal National Park extends for 8094 hectares incorporating the lofty Drakensberg mountains, the famous Amphitheatre - a rock wall rising to about 1000 meters and stretching out for 5km (3 miles) between the Sentinel (3165 meters)and the Eastern Buttress (3047 meters) and the extraordinary Tugela Falls.
Mont-aux-Sources, the highest peak of the plateau and the backstage of the elevated Amphitheatre, also within Royal Natal National Park, is a source of KwaZulu-Natal's largest river and highest waterfall, the Tugela, and eight other rivers. The Tugela Falls plunges 948 meters in five clear leaps. In winter, the upper Tugela Falls can freeze to form pillars of ice, a delightful and rare sight to be relished.
How to get there:
There are 2 routes from the north depending on the weather conditions. The first one requires you to turn off the N3 at Harrismith and take the N5 to Kestell. Two kilometres down the road turn left on to the R74 to Qwa Qwa and follow the signs to Bergville going over the Olivier's Hoek Pass.
Turn right into Royal Natal National Park at the bottom of the pass at the area tourism sign. This route is considerably shorter than the following, more conventional route, and saves an additional toll fee.
The alternative route is to turn off the N3 just past Ladysmith on to the N11 and proceed to Bergville. The reserve is well signposted from here. From the south, turn off the N3 at the Winterton/Berg Resorts off ramp and proceed to Bergville.
Please allow enough time for getting to Royal Natal National Park, as certain roads may not be in the best condition and vehicles may have to drive slower than expected.
