The Drakensberg Mountains meaning ‘Dragon Mountains’ in Afrikaans, are the highest mountains in South Africa, ranging up to 3482 metres (11422 feet) in height. In Zulu they are called “uKhahlamba” which translates to Barrier of Spears.
The mountains stretch along the eastern part of South Africa, running for some 1000 km (600 mi) generally southwest to northeast, with the northwesterly bend forming the border of Lesotho with South Africa. They are a place of rugged beauty made up of plateaus, peeks, cliffs and deep valleys. They truly are a barrier of spears.
The Northern Drakensberg is home to one of South Africa’s highest peaks Mont-Aux-Sources and also to the tallest waterfall in the world, the Tugela Falls. With hiking trails carved along cliff tops and across rivers the Northern Drakensberg offers some of the best hiking in South Africa.
The trail to the top of Tugela Falls is perhaps one of the most spectacular in the Drakensberg. It is demanding and the zig zag path at steep gradients under the gaze of the mighty Sentinel is for more experienced and fit hikers.
After this stretch hikers reach chain ladders taking them up sheer cliffs to reach the top of the great escarpment and the edge of the breathtaking Amphitheatre. The walk to the top of the Tugela Falls is at high altitude and across golden grasslands scattered with streams across this catchment area. It is the catchment area and source for the Orange and Tugela Rivers, both flow from here in different directions, one to the Atlantic and the other to the Indian Ocean.
Standing at the top of the Tugela Falls and beholding the Tugela Gorge from above and the massive rock structures and cliffs making up the Amphitheatre will leave you in awe and create an unforgettable memory.
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