Ploughman’s Bubble-Bath
For the more steadfast, the 'bubble-bath' pool at the top of Ploughman's Kop in Royal Natal National Park is a clothes-off delight on the edge of Gudu Falls.
For the less adventurous, the ice-cold pool below the falls is just as good and easier to access through a small forest.
Pitch a Tent at Mahai
If you held a poll to choose the most dramatic camp site in the world Yosemite would probably win hands down. But cosy, green Mahai in Royal Natal Park, at the foot of the castle-like Amphitheatre, is a close contender for a tranquil setting amid scenic magnificence.
And like Yosemites Rainbow Falls, the Tugela Falls here rate among the world's four highest. Mahai offers a base for probably the greatest selection of day walks in the entire Drakensberg.
Berg Postcard Spot
You could spend a substantial chunk of your life trying to capture the spirit of the Berg on film, as has mountaineer-photographer Malcolm Pearse, son of the more famous, now-deceased Berg author Reg (Barrier of Spears). However, if one shot is all you've got, then the place to use it is near Tendele Camp in Royal Natal Park.
Take an early morning drive from Mahai towards Tendele Camp and stop at the car park next to the river. Take your tripod and wade into the Tugela's icy waters, as far as you can, choosing a place where the braided, rocky channels make an interesting pattern in the foreground. Set up your camera to face directly towards the Amphitheatre, bathed in flattering early light. Snap.
By David Bristow