The Drakensberg is famous for the trails that crisscross her spine, meanders across her back, explore her valleys, marvel at her fabulous buttresses, enter her wooded vales, wade through her streams and end up at waterfalls flowing over her. It's enough to want to throw your head back and shout in ecstasy. Yes I know what that all sounded like, but heck, that mountain truly is sexy. For our ten days of camping at Mahai in the Royal Natal National Park in the Northern Drakensberg we planned to split our time there between relaxing at the campsite, swimming at Cascades and doing three or four short morning or day hikes. The first one we did was the Tiger Falls Trail. The trail is an easy 6 km circular hike that starts right outside the campsite and heads uphill and on towards the mountain. Along the way you get a great view of the Amphitheatre and Dooley mountain, stop for a break at Tiger Falls and enjoy the view from Lookout Rock before descending back into the Mahai Valley and back to the campsite via the Cascades.
The view of Mahai campsite from the Tiger Falls Trail
Flowering Proteas along the trail
The Damselfly approaching Tiger Falls
Tiger Falls is a great spot to take a break along the trail, fill your water bottle and kick off your shoes to cool down your feet. Its even possible to climb up and in behind the waterfall, something the KidZ just loved doing.
The view down the Mahai Valley from Lookout Rock. The campsite is in the centre of the picture
Heading down the path back into the valley and ready to go and take a swim at Cascades on our way back to camp
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