Royal Natal National Park is a 80.94-square-kilometre (31.25 sq mi)[2] park in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa and forms part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site.[2] Notwithstanding the name, it is actually not a South African National Park managed by the SANParks, but rather a Provincial Park managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. This park is now included in the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area Peace Park.
Royal Natal National Park | |
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Location | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
Nearest city | Harrismith |
Coordinates | 28°41′20″S 28°56′42″E / 28.689°S 28.945°E |
Area | 80.94 km2 (31.25 sq mi) |
Established | 16 september 1916[1] |
Governing body | Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife |
The Drakensberg Mountains were once the hunting ground of the San people (bushmen). Though the San no longer live in the area, they recorded their exploits in the form of remarkable rock paintings.[3]
The main features of the park are the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rock wall 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long by up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) high, Mont-Aux-Sources peak where the Orange and Tugela rivers have their source,[4] and the 948-metre (3,110 ft) Tugela Falls, the world's highest waterfall.[5] A distinctive rock feature and popular hiking destination in the park is the so-called "Policeman's Helmet".
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Trail in Royal Natal National Park
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view towards the Amphitheatre
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The Sentinel
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Mahai-River
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green covered Mountains
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Policeman's Helmet
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RNNP Amphitheatre
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "History of Royal Natal National Park". September 2011.
- ^ a b "uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - APPENDIX 1 - COMPONENT PROTECTED AREAS OF THE DRAKENSBERG PARK". Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ "Royal Natal National Park wildlife location in South Africa, Africa | Wildlife Worldwide". www.wildlifeworldwide.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "South African Nature reserves". Siyabona Africa Travel (Pty) Ltd South Africa nature reserve and game parks guide. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
- ^ "World's tallest waterfalls by total overall height". World Waterfall Database. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
External links
edit- Royal Natal National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Royal Natal National Park accommodation
- Royal Natal at KZN Wildlife
- uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park at UNESCO World heritage