Located in South Africa’s Royal Natal National Park, Tugela Falls is part of the Northern Drakensberg. Its five
separate free-falling waterfalls have a combined total drop of 948 meters, making it the second-tallest waterfall
in the world. Situated in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province, the Royal Natal National Park is a component
of the Khahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. The park’s principal attractions are the 948-meter
Tugela Falls, the Mont-Aux-Sources peak, the source of the Orange and Tugela rivers, and the 5-kilometer-long
and up to 1,200-meter-high rock wall known as the Drakensberg Amphitheatre.
“THE WORLD’S SECOND-HIGHEST WATERFALL
IN SOUTH AFRICA.”
Due to its notoriously variable volume, the Tugela River may not flow continuously throughout the year or may
dry up entirely at certain times. However, the Tugela Falls can be seen from the main road into the park at the
appropriate time of year, particularly after a significant downpour. The word “Thukela” (Zulu) is spelled
phonetically as “Tugela,” which means “sudden” or “startling.”
Tugela Falls can be reached via two different trails (from within the park). The Tugela River is followed
upstream through the Tugela Gorge to access the second trail. This trail is 7 km long, with a less steep gradient
than the previous one. Roughly 1585 meters above sea level is the trailhead.
While the Sentinel Peak Chain Ladder hike in the Drakensberg to the top of Tugela Falls is undoubtedly one of
the most well-known and well-liked walks, many tourists are utterly terrified of the terms chain and ladder.
Technically speaking, the hike is not tough. Before arriving at the peak of this hike, the last stretch across the
plateau is gentle, providing the body with a little break from the adrenaline of the ladder. With the Tugela Gorge
approximately 1,000 meters below it, the Amphitheatre is a resilient basalt wall that has withstood 140 million
years of erosion. The views are literally breathtaking.
Please check the weather before leaving on your trip. And don’t forget that the Visitor Center at the main
entrance gate sells comprehensive hiking guides. The guide presents a map of the park along with the extensive
system of hiking trails that cover every area of the park.
