Plan your trip

DAY ONE

Being part of the Royal Natal and Rugged Glen National Parks, there are a number of incredible day and overnight hikes on offer that can be walked alone or guided by locals. You can’t get closer to the dramatic Sentinel Peak than here, and it’s the perfect spot to look down over Mont-Aux-Sources and the iconic Amphitheatre. After check in, try squeeze in a three-hour walk that’ll take you to the Mahai Falls. It’s a prettty easy stroll recommended for all ages.

STAY HERE

A standard bungalow at Witsieshoek is from R595 pp a night, plus a park entry fee of R45 pp. It’s not self-catering; there is a restaurant offering hearty meals like stews and malva pudding. 058-713-6361, witsieshoek.co.za

DAY TWO

There are many day hikes from Witsieshoek; the most popular option is the Drakensberg Chain Ladder hike. You don’t have to be super-fit to do it, but keep in mind the effects of high altitude and allow eight hours for the full return journey. The trail winds beneath towering peaks with mind-spinning drops below – here at such lofty heights, various birds of prey swim the sky. There are two sections of chain ladder of about 50 rungs each that climb to the plateau. They’re best tackled with slow deliberate footing and calm nerves. Once at the top, it’s a 25-minute walk to the edge of the Amphitheatre. At 2 926 metres you can gaze down into the Tugela Gorge a full thousand metres beneath you. Hiking fees are R75 pp.

* Instead of returning to Witsieshoek, it is possible to camp overnight on the plateau. See the Drakensberg Hikes story in our June 2017 issue or online at getaway.co.za.