The Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre - The most prominent feature of the Drakens

The Amphitheatre is the most prominent feature of the Drakensberg range of mountains in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The Amphitheatre is the also most photographed feature of the Drakensberg, and often appears on the covers of Tourist guides. The Tugela Falls tumble some 950m in a series of falls, starting at approximately 3000m altitude down the sheer face of the Amphitheatre, making this the second highest series of falls in the World.

From the base of the Tugela falls, the Tugela Gorge is carved through the sandstone layers of the Drakensberg.

Climbing to the top of the Amphitheatre is achieved in less than 2 hours, starting from the Sentinel Car Park, and takes you up the Chain Ladders. On top of the Amphitheatre, 7km from the escarpment, you will find a seemingly uninteresting peak, on the border of Lesotho, and the South African provinces of Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

This peak was named Mont-aux-Sources by French explorers because it is the source of the Tugela and Orange Rivers. The Tugela ends in the Indian Ocean some 300km from its source, while the Orange river flows into the Southern Atlantic Ocean, on the South African & Namibian border some 2000 km away.

Accommodation at the Amphitheatre

• Vergezient Mountain Retreat - Guest house accommodation with unparalleled views of the Amphitheatre and Royal Natal National Park offers generous farm house style accommodation with excellent food. You will want to return more than once to experience the freedom and beauty of Vergezient Mountain Retreat. This farm house has five tastefully decorated en-suite bedrooms each with its own lounge and fireplace. Each room is different and they all have lovely views of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains. The accommodation is elegant while maintaining that rustic farm house charm.
• Caterpillar Catfish Cookhouse - Guest house accommodation near to the AmphitheatreThe lodge is in a renovated stone farm house with 8 large en suite bedrooms, either double or twins, with bath and shower. The restaurant prides themselves on a fusion African, Mexican & American South menu and their breakfasts will put you in good stead for a day of exploring the surrounding mountains.
• Drakensville - Lodging in the Northern Drakensberg with a view of the Amphitheatre offers affordable lodging. Drakensville is hailed as one of South Africa’s premier resorts and is nestled at the foothills of the majestic Amphitheatre with a grand, panoramic view of the Northern Drakensberg range.
• Hlalanathi - Self Catering and Camping in the Northern Drakensberg A spectacular beautiful setting, with serviced chalets, and spacious grassed caravan stands overlooking the Tugela River and Amphitheater. Halfway between Gauteng and the coast, this is an ideal breakaway resort with modern facilities and sparkling ablutions.
• Little Switzerland - Resort Accommodation in the Northern Drakensberg looking onto the Amphitheatre Little Switzerland is very popular with South Africans as well as a growing fraternity of foreign tourists, not only for the beautiful views and superb cuisine, but also for the hikes and walks organised by the Resort to the top of the Amphitheatre (elevation 3050m). Set in a private estate of some 1700 hectares (+/- 4000 acres), Little Switzerland is unrivalled by any other Resort in the Drakensberg.
• Montusi Mountain Lodge - Northern Drakensberg accommodation offers luxury accommodation with genuine hospitality in the tranquility of one of the most beautiful settings in South Africa. Montusi is the Anglicised version of the Zulu name "Mountain in the Mist"
• Tendele Camp - KZN wildlife accommodation it the foot of the Amphitheatre -Northern Drakensberg Tendele Hutted Camp is situated in one of the most picturesque settings in the country, with a view of the world-famous Amphitheatre from every bungalow. Tendele camp nestles below the brooding sandstone cliffs of Dooley among yellowwood forests and protea savannah where visitors can often hear the rumble of boulders in the Thukela river below after a fierce summer thunderstorm
• Tower of Pizza - Farmstyle hospitality near the Amphitheatre - Northern Drakensberg offers farmstyle hospitality in the shadow of the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg. Visit this famous landmark and experience traditional hospitality in close proximity to all major attractions in the Amphitheatre valley, Northern Drakensberg area
• Sungubala Mountain Camp - Northern Drakensberg is situated in the Northern Drakensberg. Sungubala lies on 500ha of pristine wilderness directly below the peaks of Hlolela and Sungubala (7000ft), just north of Royal Natal National Park.
• The Cavern - Accommodation in the Northern Drakensberg The Cavern is one of those holiday resorts where you can take your family to be well fed, well rested and well exercised, without burning a hole in your pocket. The Cavern is situated in the Northern Drakensberg
• Alpine Heath Resort & Conference Village Alpine Heath Resort is considered to be one of Southern Africas premier conference and holiday venues, Alpine Heath Resort allows you to relax in the comfort of an exclusive mountain village nestled in the midst of the Northern Drakensberg.
• The Berg house and cottages - Affordable Self Catering at the Amphitheatre with spectacular views and very affordable rates. This sandstone 4 bedroom cottage overlooks a trout dam with 180 degree views of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains.
• Orion Mont Aux Sources Resort - Hotel Accommodation - Amphitheatre - Northern Drakensberg offers various hotel accommodation in the Northern Drakensberg. Orion Mont-Aux-Sources is named after Mont-Aux-Sources, the highest peak in the world-famous Amphitheatre in the northern Drakensberg. Measuring 3282 metres high, it was discovered in 1836 by French missionaries and christened Mont-Aux-Sources, or "mountain of springs". The mighty Tugela has its source here and plummets 2000 metres over the Mont-Aux-Sources plateau making it the second highest waterfall in the world.
• Amphitheatre Backpackers - Backpacker accommodation in the Northern Drakensberg The backpacker hostel takes its name from a section of the Northern Drakensberg that is shaped like a natural amphitheatre. It is here that the famous Tugela Falls has its source, rising at Mont Aux Sources (3282 metres up) and then plunging down the 1km basalt wall, into Royal Natal National Park.