Amphitheatre, Natural cliff formation in Royal Natal National Park, South Africa
The Amphitheatre is a natural cliff formation in KwaZulu-Natal that stretches for several kilometers with vertical rock faces reaching up to 1220 meters high. The wall consists of massive basalt cliffs forming a continuous escarpment in the Northern Drakensberg mountains.
The cliff wall formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity and erosion that shaped the basalt layers now visible in the Drakensberg range. These geological processes created one of the region's most striking natural features.
The slopes hold numerous rock paintings made by the San people, showing that indigenous communities lived here long ago. You can still see these artworks today, which tell stories about their daily lives.
The summit can be reached via a hiking trail starting from Witsieshoek Resort, with sections that use chain ladders fixed to the rock face. The climb is demanding and requires good fitness and a comfort level with heights.
From the summit flows the Tugela Falls, which drops 948 meters in five cascades and ranks as the second-highest waterfall in the world. This natural display is most dramatic after heavy rainfall in the region.
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