A comprehensive hiking guide is available for purchase at the Thendele Camp Visitor Centre, and at the main entrance gate.
Hiking and Walking Trails
The most popular activity at Royal Natal National Park is undoubtedly hiking. The brochure has a map and shows the extensive network of hiking paths from the gentle walk to Fairy Glen to the challenging hike up the Crack and down the Mudslide.
Otto's walk is well suited for beginners or there is a trail that goes to the Tugela Gorge, traversing the indigenous forests and grasslands adorned with Proteas and Yellowwood trees. For the last part of this hike there is a climb up a little chain ladder to a spectacular view of the Tugela Falls.
For the more experienced there is the 45 km (27 mile) Mont-aux-Sources trail which takes two days to complete. Travelling by car, it is possible to visit the summit of Mont-aux-Sources in a day by driving around to the Sentinel car park at the end of the road and purchasing a permit en-route. This day trip is an extremely popular expedition but visitors are advised to take protective clothing as the high altitude weather is extremely unpredictable and can change very quickly.
Fishing and Picnics
With views such as these, Royal Natal National Park will prove ideal for non-hikers too. For those who just want to relish the clear mountain air and magnificent views, there are many scenic spots and places to swim in the clear mountain streams. The cascading Tugela Falls is one of the world’s highest waterfalls and the ideal backdrop for a picnic.
Trout fishing is available in a dam and in the Mahai and Thukela (Tugela) rivers. Permits can be obtained from the Visitor’s Centre. In view of this, fishing on this dam is on a “catch and release” basis only, which is strictly enforced. Only fly fishing tackle may be used and encourage the use of barbless hooks
Horse Riding
The stables at Rugged Glen at Royal Natal National Park provide opportunities to ride into the mountains for unique landscape views and sightings of mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok that seem to have no fear of people on horseback.
Swimming
Swimming and paddling in the rivers and streams is safe from bilharzia, and a very popular activity at this self-catering accommodation in the Drakensberg. Drinking water for the main developed area is drawn from the Mahai stream above the campground, so there is no swimming in the Mahai between the intake weir and the Tiger Falls/Gudu Bush path. Similarly, swimming is not permitted in the Vemvaan River above the Thendele or in any of the dams.
The Royal Natal National Park offers self-catering accommodations in the form of rest camps and a lodge close to the beautiful Tugela Falls....