Ntunjambili - The Kop

This sandstone feature is located near Kranskop, overlooking the Thukela River Valley. It is an outstanding Natal landmark. The first European to climb it was Captain A.M. Montgomery of the royal fusiliers, during the Anglo-Zulu War. There is a magnificent view of the Tukela Valley from here. Nearby, are the hot-springs called Shu-Shu.

A Zulu story from the time of Shaka tells of a story of the rock splitting to hide the local chief's son and his bride from cannibals. It was thus called Itse like Ntunjambile' - the rock with two openings. Other Zulu legends indicate that it was the abode of cannibals who had the power to open the mountain to entice unsuspecting passers by inside. (However, another story claims that the tribe’s maidens, weary of carrying water up from the river, used to murmur "iTshe lika Ntumjambili - let me come into your house". A giant cavern in the mountain would open and allow them to enter what seemed to be a wonderland. But it always turned into a prison from which there was no escape, and the sobbing of the maidens may be heard on a quiet day, lingering around the face of the precipice like a sigh.)

(for more information click here or for an in-depth piece about Ntunjambili click here. If you really want to be technical and would like to set your GPS click here for the co-ordinates.)