Royal Natal National Park
Policeman's Helmet in Royal Natal Park
Map showing the location of Royal Natal National Park
Map showing the location of Royal Natal National Park
Location in KwaZulu-Natal
LocationKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nearest cityHarrismith
Coordinates28°41′20″S 28°56′42″E / 28.689°S 28.945°E / -28.689; 28.945
Area80.94 km2 (31.25 sq mi)
Established16 september 1916[1]
Governing bodyEzemvelo 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 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.

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".

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Royal Natal National Park". September 2011.
  2. ^ 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.
  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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Natal National Park.


Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Parks
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