Royal Natal National Park

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east end the Eastern Buttress (3047m/9,997ft. The Tugela River plunges down 800m/2,625ft in a series of cascades, forming South Africa's highest waterfall.

The vegetation in the National Park is very varied. Among the commonest species of animals are black wildebeests, mountain reedbucks, rheboks, blesboks, klipspringers and baboons. Over 180 species of birds have been recorded, including crowned eagles, bearded vultures, Cape vultures and jackal falcons.

There are more than 30 waymarked hiking trails in the National Park. An attractive short walk is the 4km/2.5mi long Otto Walk; the longest route is the Mont-aux-Sources Trail, a round trip of 45km/28mi which calls for fitness but not mountaineering skills. This begins in the center of the park, runs through the Tendele camp and past the Mahai Falls and finally climbs to the crest of the Amphitheater on two chain ladders with 100 steps. One of the finest walks, not unduly strenuous (22km/14mi there and back), is to the Tugela Gorge, where the Tugela flows through a narrow tunnel. Detailed information about the various walks can be obtained in the visitor center on the road into the National Park (1km/75mi beyond the entrance). where there is also a small museum.