Royal Natal National Park

Royal Natal National Park
Policeman's Helmet in Royal Natal Park
Location in KwaZulu-Natal
Location	KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nearest city	Harrismith
Coordinates	28°41′20″S 28°56′42″E
Area	80.94 km^2 (31.25 sq mi)
Established	16 september 1916[1]
Governing body	Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
The dawn chorus in Royal Natal National Park, recorded by David Watts on 27 November 1984

Royal Natal National Park is a 80.94-square-kilometre (31.25 sq mi)^[2] park in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and forms part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO 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, a Peace Park.

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 and 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 tallest waterfall.^[5] A distinctive rock feature and popular hiking destination in the park is the so-called "Policeman's Helmet".

• 
  Trail in Royal Natal National Park
• 
  view towards the Amphitheatre
• 
  The Sentinel
• 
  Mahai-River
• 
  green covered Mountains
• 
  Policeman's Helmet
• 
  RNNP Amphitheatre

See also

• Tugela Falls Bergville
• Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
• List of conservation areas of South Africa

References

1. "History of Royal Natal National Park". September 2011.
2. "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.
3. "Royal Natal National Park wildlife location in South Africa, Africa | Wildlife Worldwide". www.wildlifeworldwide.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
4. "South African Nature reserves". Siyabona Africa Travel (Pty) Ltd South Africa nature reserve and game parks guide. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
5. "World's tallest waterfalls by total overall height". World Waterfall Database. Retrieved 20 February 2022.

External links

• 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