We had a slow packup at Mt Everest. We got going at 9:45am and headed towards Harrismith. We got stopped by Police on the N3 outside Harrismith, but no problems, and he sent us on our way. First stop was Checkers supermarket for supplies. We managed to get everything we wanted for the next few days camping. We then went back down the N3 to the Engen and filled up with diesel (about$A3 a litre). Then we drove around for 5 minutes looking for a park so we could get lunch at Rocky Mountain Spur.
After lunch on our way to Royal Natal, about 75km. We ended up stopped at roadworks where we were told the road was closed . We turned back to a detour about 5km back, and took a narrow road that eventually rejoined the main road. We went through the gate of Royal Natal where they told us we should be able to get a campsite. Then the visitor centre were we paid 1,140 rand (about $A100) for three nights of unpowered camping in Mahai campsite. When we got to Mahai it was packed, It was Heritage Day long weekend, plus the start of the school holidays. Liz found us a good spot high up at the end of the campsite. It was a ledge, and with a bit of maneuvering we got ourselves set up with good views of the Drakensburgs.
We went for a walk up the Mahai river to the Cascades. Lots of people and kids splashing around in the river.
The next day we decided to do the walk to Tiger Falls, which was a 250m climb up above the campsite. It was well marked, and when we got to the falls we met a couple from Perth WA including their three kids. It was a well made path heading down but tough on the knees.
The next day was also pretty nice weather wise. Most of the campers left on Sunday, heading back to Joberg or Durban. We decided to walk up to Sunday Falls, about 2.5km. It was a steady walk up, not as steep as the walk to Tiger Falls. We crossed a creek along the way. When we got to Sunday Falls, we took off our shoes and waded across to the other side and then took a 200m walk down to the base of the falls. We decided Sunday Falls was far superior to Tiger Falls, with a lot more water flowing over it.
