Tugela Falls

Tugela Falls

Tugela Falls
Location	KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Coordinates	28°45′08″S 28°53′39″E / 28.7522°S 28.8941°E / -28.7522; 28.8941Coordinates: 28°45′08″S 28°53′39″E / 28.7522°S 28.8941°E / -28.7522; 28.8941
Total height	948 metres (3,110 ft)
Height of longest drop	411 metres (1,350 ft)
Number of drops	5
Watercourse	Tugela River
World height ranking	2

Tugela Falls is the world's second highest waterfall.^[1] The total drop in five free-leaping falls is 948 meters (3,110 feet). They are located in the Drakensberg (Dragon's Mountains) in the Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province, Republic of South Africa. They are easily viewed after a heavy rain from the main travel road into the park, glistening from the reflection of the late afternoon sun. The source of the Tugela River (Zulu for 'sudden') is at Mont-Aux-Sources several kilometers from the escarpment from which the falls drop. The water is pure and safe to drink above the falls.

There are 2 stunning trails to the Tugela Falls. The most spectacular trail is to the top of Mount-Aux-Sources, which starts at the Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek via Phuthadjhaba from where it is a relatively easy climb to the top of the Amphitheatre, however it does take about 4.5 to 8 hours round trip depending on fitness level. You can gain easy access to the summit via two chain ladders. This is the only day hiking trail which will take you to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment and to the head of the Tugela Falls. Another trail to the foot of the Tugela Falls starts at Royal Natal National Park. The easy seven kilometre gradient up the Tugela Gorge winds though indigenous forests. The last part of the hike to the Tugela Falls is a boulder hop. A little chain ladder takes you over the final stretch from where you have a stunning view of the falls rushing down the Amphitheater in a series of five spectacular cascades.^[2]

See also

• Tugela River
• Royal Natal National Park
• Geography of South Africa

References

External links

• Tugela Falls at World Waterfall Database
• Tourism information around Tugela Falls

This KwaZulu-Natal location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Africa protected areas related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e