The Drakensberg Mountains Mon 3/3/2003   Looking back at the time I spent in and near the Drakensberg Mountains fills me with awe, and makes me want to explore more of this region when I return on my next visit to South Africa. Nature there is fantastic, offering magnificient views of the surroundings and great hiking. The few days in the Drakensberg I stayed at the Amphitheatre Backpackers which is a friendly and nice place but don't expect it to be on the border of the Royal Kwazulu Natal National Park where the Amphitheatre is located. (They offer cheap rides to and from the park daily though). I was very lucky in meeting Chris and Kim a amicable British couple who had rented a car and with whom I did several awesome hikes in the park, despite the weather not always being on our side. (Tugela Gorge Walk, and Gudu Falls Walk) The highlight for me there was undoubtedly the Tugela Falls hike offered by the hostel, which consists of ascending to the top of Mount Sentinel which is part of the Amphitheatre (3000m +) from a park entrance at 2400m. The group of Mountains that make up the Amphitheatre form a huge and nearly flat top section which acts as a drainage basin, feeding the Tugela waterfall, which spills off the ledge of this high plateau more than 850 metres down into the valley below, making it the second highest waterfall on earth. Needless to say that the views from the top of the mountain range are unbelievable. Regrettably I did not have enough time to participate in the other excursion offered by the hostel to Lesotho, using a little known border crossing and visiting parts of Lesotho which are off the beaten track.

no map Amphitheatre Backpackers Oliviers Hoek Pass - Ph: (036) 438 6106

Panorama Mountains in Royal KZN Park Mountains in Royal KZN Park KZN Park - Chris Gudu Falls - Richard KZN Park Waterfalls View of Valley Tugela Gorge Hike Richard, Kim & Chris after hike Lizards on top of Amphitheatre Group on top of Amphitheatre Richard top of Amphitheatre View down Crevasse View of Valley Below View Rock Formation View Part of Amphitheatre View from Top Descent Down Mt. Sentinel Mount Sentinel Berg Adder Mount Pocolane Pano from Mt. Pocolane