THE AMPHITHEATRE
It’s a bit of a claim but it was only the following month that The Sunday Times done a piece which stated as such!
After seeing photos of the Amphitheatre, I was instantly sold and the reason why I actually came all the way out here. It is like nothing I have ever seen and after hearing it is only a day hike I wasn’t going to miss out on it!
DRIVING UP
The views were incredible for the entire drive and you just knew you were in for a treat. Making your way up to the starting point you are blessed with views right out to Tugela Valley, something you will not get sick of!
DIFFICULTY
The hike is by no means difficult, even the most novice of hikers or those of us that are not hikers at all could easily climb this. Most of the paths have been built in order to allow for year round hiking, so its safe and easy to navigate. However, there are areas which have chained ladders to take you down some of the cliff edges. These can be avoided but are all part of the fun!
Another benefit is that although you are in the guts of the African wilderness, there is nothing that wants or even could eat you. Although the place just has that feeling that there is something luring around every corner!
9 MILES
During the 9mile walk you will probably stop every 5minutes for another photo but the best is always yet to come. You are spoilt from start to finish for this hike and didn’t have any crowds to contend with either. We must’ve seen around 10 people all day, I feel like Christopher Columbus who found something no one else has been, where the f*ck is everyone!
RELATED READ: GETTING CHASED IN JAMAICA
THE VIEW
From the top you really just want to chill and take it all in. We must’ve had 30 – 45 minutes there and needed every minute to enjoy the moment. From the bottom looking up you see why it was called the Amphitheatre but you don’t realise the scale of this place until you reach the summit. Table mountain can only hope and prey that it be considered in the same league as this, it just doesn’t come close and you know how much I enjoyed that hike!
TUGELA FALLS
From here it was off to Tugela Falls, the 2nd highest waterfall in the world. With it being the summer the falls were quite dry but made it all the easier to walk up to the edge! Lying at the edge where the river would normally be thrown over the edge was just such as relaxing experience. There are few times where I feel the need to pinch myself, this was easily one of them!
FINAL THOUGHTS
If I were to return to Cape Town (which I will) I would make every effort to get back here!
NEXT UP
My first experience of how bad African time keeping is, and how it cost me a flight! Click to read
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
119/229
This post is part of the Southern Africa Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
