Royal Natal National Park

Afrikaans name: Royal Natal Nasionale Park

Beautiful scenery in Royal Natal National Park

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

KwaZulu-Natal

The beautiful mountain scenery at Royal Natal National Park has made it famous all round the world. The highlight is the Amphitheatre which features the second highest waterfall in the world as the Tugela River falls 500 metres over the cliffs.

The park was proclaimed in 1916 and is over 8,000 hectares in extent.

There is a lot to do at Royal Natal with hiking being the most popular. Climbing, trout fishing, horse riding and even swimming are also popular.

The park features a variety of hutted accommodation at Thendele Resort. The view of the amphitheatre from this camp is worth the trip alone.

The Royal Natal National Park hosed members of the Royal family in 1947. Queen Elizabeth II, then a princess, celebrated her 21st birthday in the hotel in the park. Sadly the hotel has fallen into disuse and been badly vandalised.

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Mammals of Royal Natal National Park

Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.

Black Wildebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Blesbok

Bushbuck

Cape Clawless Otter

Cape Porcupine

Caracal

Chacma Baboon

Common Duiker

Eland

Grey Rhebuck

Klipspringer

Leopard

Mountain Reedbuck

Red Hartebeest

Reedbuck

Rock Hyrax

Scrub Hare

Serval

Steenbok

Wild Cat

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References and further reading

Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Year Published: 2006 - Page: 64

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 132

Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 243

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Year Published: 2018 - Page: 190

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 151

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 384

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 132

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 133

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Year Published: 2014 - Page: 125

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 74

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 76

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 121

Where to see Birds in KwaZulu-Natal - Author: Bennett and Herbert - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 69

Where to see Birds in Natal - Author: Gordon Bennett - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 24

Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 173

Wild Issue 19 - Author: - Year Published: 2012 - Page: 50

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 74