Hike the Dragon's Mountain - the Amphitheatre & Tugela Falls

There are two ways to get here: take a tour from Bergville or drive yourself.Taking the tour from the Amphitheatre Backpackers in Bergville is probably easiest if you're using the Baz Bus and don't have a car.

From Johannesburg take the N3 towards Durban, exit the R74 towards Bergville, take the R712 towards Clarens, and follow R57 towards Phuthaditjhaba. Continue onto Mota Road and follow the signs for 'the Sentinel.' You'll pass the Witsieshoek Lodge (pronounced vit-sees-hoook) where there'll be a gate and you'll have to sign in. Continue up the dirt road and park at the Sentinel Car Park where an entry fee is charged.

The hike starts at the carpark and climbs up a number of switchbacks for maybe a half mile. From there it's a gradual climb to the chain ladders; be sure to take in the views and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Before you reach the top of the escarpment, you'll come across a set of chain ladders. The first is about 40 metres (130 feet high) and the second is about 20 metres (65 feet) high. Don't worry, the ladders are anchored well into the rock face and if you're acrophobic, don't look down. Once you make it past the chain ladders and get to the top, you'll have an amazing view of the waters of Tugela Falls plunging 1000 metres down the rock face to the valley below.

You can also camp up here if you like. The skies up here are some of the clearest and make for amazing views of the Milky Way in summer.