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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Royal Natal National Park

Afrikaans name: Royal Natal Nasionale Park

View of Royal Natal National Park with the amphitheatre in the background

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 hosted 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


References and further reading

Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 42

Wild Places of Natal - Author: Olive Shepherd - Published: 1989 - Page: 136

Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 39

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

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

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

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

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

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 190

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

Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 71

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

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

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

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

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 384

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 133

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 132

go! - Issue 124 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 44

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

Getaway - Vol 35 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2024 - Page: 88

Getaway - Vol 31 No 11 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 75

Country Life - Issue 181 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 86

Country Life - Issue 166 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 76

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 243

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

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 653 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 29

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

Wikipedia - Royal Natal National Park

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