Royal Natal National Park

Royal Natal National Park is in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, bordering onto the Free State province and Lesotho. The Tugela Falls, the world's highest waterfall (by some measures), can be found here.

Understand
Best time to visit is in late summer (March to May) when all the rivers are full, the air is crystal clear and vegetation is lush and green.

History
The park was established in 1916, but only received its current name in 1947 after the British Royal Family visited there in May that year. Despite its name, it is not a South African National Park and is administered as a provincial park by KwaZulu-Natal Parks rather than SANParks.

Flora and fauna
Bushbuck and baboons are common. Other animal that may be encountered are Rock Dassies, Otters, Mountain Reedbuck, Duiker and Black-backed Jackal. The only animal that poses any real danger to humans are the baboons and contact with them should be avoided while hiking.

Climate
Rainy season is between October and March, mostly as short lived afternoon thundershowers. There is a possibility of snow between April and September. Winters (April to September) is dry and wind is common in late winter.

Get in
From the N3, take the R616 just south of Ladysmith towards Bergville (35 km). Where the R616 meets the R74, take a right turn and follow that road for a further 29 km until it joins with the R615. Take a left turn and you will reach the park within another 19 km. Roadsign are clearly displayed along the way. For a more scenic route, take the exit the N3 at Harrismith and take the N5 towards Bethlehem for about 5 km, then turn left onto the R74 and follow this for about 38 km, then take a right into the R615. Following this route will take one past the Sterkfontein Dam.

Drive with extra care along the R615 as it passes through a number of rural villages where livestock and school children cross the road at will.

Entrance to the park is open 24 hours for residents and from 6AM to 10PM (May-Sep) and 5AM to 7PM (Oct-Mar) for day visitors.

The nearest petrol station and tyre repair shop is in Bergville, 48 km away.

Fees
A daily conservation fee is payable at the park entrance. R50 per adult, R25 per child day.

Get around
The speed limit within the park is, but mostly you will walk rather than drive.

Hiking
There are a number of walking and hiking trails in the park. A booklet on all the walks is available at the Information Centre for R50.


 * Short walks


 * Long walks

Mountain biking
There are a number of mountain biking trails accessible from Witsieshoek Lodge.

Fly fishing
There are two dams located behind the day visitors picnic area. As per South African law, a fishing license is required to fish anywhere in the country. This can be obtained from the Information Center.

Horse riding
Horse back excursions are available from Rugged Glen camp.

Buy
There is a shop at the Information Office (first building on the left after entering the park) that sells most of the basic necessities (from washing powder and ice to boerewors and beer). The selection is not huge, but they do not try and take advantage of being the only shop in the park; prices are reasonable with no outrageous markup added. (R15 for a beer for example (2018)).

The shop also stocks the usual curios, branded clothing, travel books and maps.

A mini-ATM is located behind the Information counter. One can perform a normal withdraw, but the mini-ATM will provide you with a slip rather than cash. Exchange this slip for cash at the information counter.

Sleep

 * Lower Camp: There are 8 2-bed chalets with one bedroom, a lounge incorporated in the bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen and 5 4-bed chalets with two bedrooms, a separate lounge, a bathroom and a kitchen.
 * Upper Camp: There are 6 2-bed chalets with one bedroom, a separate lounge, a bathroom and kitchen and 7 4-bed chalets with two bedrooms, a separate lounge, a bathroom and kitchen.
 * Cottage: Two 6-bed cottages accommodate 6 people each in 3 bedrooms, lounge/dining area, a bathroom and fully equipped kitchen.
 * Thendele Lodge: Accommodates six people in three en-suite bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.
 * Thendele Lodge: Accommodates six people in three en-suite bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.


 * Directions:
 * From Ladysmith, turn off just south of Ladysmith and follow the Bergville road for 55 km. From Bergville travel 30 km towards Olivershoek Pass/Harrismith and then turn left at the Drakernsburg North sign. It is approximately 16 km from there to the Royal Natal entrance gate.
 * From the South, turn off the N3 at the Winterton/Northernberg Resorts turn off and pass through Winterton and Bergville. Turn left at the Northern Drakernsberg North signboard. It is approximately 16 km from there to the Royal Natal entrance gate.
 * From Harrismith, turn right and travel 5 km on the Bethlehem road where you turn left onto R74/R712 at the Phuthaditjaba sign. Turn left again 8 km along this road at the Bergville/Olivershoek pass/R74 sign. The park is approximately 16 km from this turn off.



Stay safe
Before going on a long hike, be sure to fill in the mountain rescue register at the Information Center or at Thendele camp. Also make sure to sign out again on your return. This allows officials to keep track of who is on the mountain and to initiate rescue parties should you be overdue.

Weather can change fast in the mountains and mist can often cause visibility to drop to near zero, especially higher up the mountain. Should you be caught in thick mist, stay where you are and wait for it to lift; eventually it will and you can continue your hike safely.

Go next
The scenic Sterkfontein Dam is located on the R74 towards Harrismith about 50 km outside the park.

Spioenkop dam, nature reserve and the Second Boer War memorials on the Spioenkop Battlefield is located less than 80km away towards Ladysmith. To reach the battlefield, follow the R74 to Bergville and the R616 from there toward Ladysmith. About 25 km from Bergville, a gravel road will lead off to the right towards Spioenkop. It is well sign-posted and the gravel road is in good condition. Entrance is R20 per person. Keep the entrance ticket as it also covers access to the nature reserve.

The central Drakensberg is about 90-minute drive away and an easy daytrip.