Royal Natal National Park hikes

Mariks wrote:

Can anyone recommend a nice place to camp with a short (around 5k) easy hike in.

You aren't allowed camping at Royal Natal National Park. With special permission you can camp on the approach to some of the climbing routes there, and you can camp on top, but they won't provide permission to camp at the bottom. You can always camp at Mahai and do some day hikes - my first Drakensberg experience was Tiger Falls when I was 6 years old. It was fun going back as an adult and seeing how small and un-scary the bridge near the start was, compared to how I remembered it from all those years ago

Basically any of the other regions have places within 5km where you can camp near decent rock pools, so if you aren't set on RNNP, what you are looking for isn't hard to find.

Why is this? What is the history and logic behind the no camp rule in RNNP?

RNNP has really high intensity use. The park would be more difficult to manage (than it currently is) if camping were allowed. 

A ranger told me in the 1980s that RNNP was effectively a net to catch as much of the visitor pressure as possible so as to protect the rest of the Berg. I think that is still true today although there isn’t nearly as much protection of the rest of the Berg going on as there should be. 

Hi Mariks,

Welcome on VE!!!

I stand to be corrected, but I think you can't camp closer than 5km from any of the official campsites, so your distance would be right on this border. I don't now the lower berg that well as we mostly push through to the escarpment, but the Cathedral Peak area gives you lots of route options without venturing out too far.

You can hike up to Ribbon falls cave, it's around 5km's from camp and without too much climbing. On the way there are Albert and Doreen Falls with nice pools, as well as the waterfall at Ribbon falls cave, so water in abundance. From here you can easily go to the top of the lower berg and explore the relatively flat area on top and even tent here, but take note that there's no water here so you might have to come back to sleep in the cave for a second night.

You can also venture up in the Cockade pass valley area, but I'm not sure where you will find sleeping (tenting) spots as the floods last year could have rearranged things a bit.

On our first overnight hike with the kids, we went to Moncs Cowl. They were 5 (daughter) and 6 (son). Day 1 we went to Zulu cave, but it is further than your 5km mark, about 14km's, but relatively easy walking. Not sure how fit your child is, mine was ok for this distance and about 500m of elevation gain. We carried most of the gear so they kids only carried a light daypack with snacks, water and a jacket. Day 2 we trekked up to Wonder Valley cave. They were quite tired after this day as it is a long one. Day 3 back to camp by a back route which I wouldn't recommend.

Another hike that could be good for you is to go to Injasuthi, and trek up Van Heyenings pass to sleep in Wonder valley cave. Its also over 5km's but definitely under 10kms. Once you've done the pass, which isn't very high, it's fairly flat to the cave. Below the cave are pools to swim in.

Hope the above helps you with options and choices.

A couple of things I found when hiking with my children, which might help you:
- If you overload them, they can't go far. Carry most of their stuff and you might struggle to keep up as they have a lot of energy.
- Keep them hydrated. Once dehydrated things can turn south fairly quickly
- Give them lots of snacks. It definitely keeps their spirits up
- We played games while walking, which distracted them a bit when they started to take strain
- If they can still complain they are uncomfortable but not too tired. Once they become silent (i.e. the phase after complaining) they are really tired and you need to take a break. We'll, for my children in any case.
- Make it fun for them. If they hate it (too hard, too warm, too cold, too whatever) nobody will like it. Our first overnighter was therefore at the start of autumn, when temps were a bit better during the day, no rain and generally nice balmy days.

Whichever area you visit, enjoy the berg!!!