Drakensberg Meander. Day 4- Thursday, 6th February 2025

 

We did gym and then got ready to go on a hike, rained most of the night and day so holding thumbs that it will not rain at the Royal Natal National Park. We drove 12 Km through some dreadful potholes. The roads, scenery and houses reminded Michael of his last visit to the Transkei.

Arriving at the RNNP we were met with a dismal visitor’s centre, Africa at its best/ worse? The place is run down, shelves are empty and everyone doing us a favour. The lady that answered our questions tried her best but was not trained so unless I have become deaf, she swallowed her words. Michael unimpressed, left the building, and as usual I became responsible for the directions and trail information.

Cascades

Another waterfall on the way to the tiger falls

The trail is beautiful and very well marked. We made it to the cascades in relatively quick time and then continued to the tiger falls which was a lot further and straight up hill but what awesome scenery. We saw waterfalls in the Maloti River, the rock formations and buck and so many protea bushes, only just flowering so would be so much more beautiful later in the year.

Tiger Falls

We returned via the same path and if my watch had worked the whole way, it would have said around 9km – did I say straight up wow it was a lot quicker coming back.

As there are no restaurants in the park and at this stage having had no food prior to the hike we were hungry/ angry and found Jokers on Google which is in a Resort close to our hotel. Michael had a steak roll, and I had a Greek salad and some spring rolls.

Yay it also did not rain!! We leaving tomorrow for Cape Town and staying in Beauford West at Contessa Hotel and then doing the second part of the journey on Saturday.