Paws and Waterfalls: Conquering the Leopard Trail and Kadisha-Tufa Trail

Day 2 started at the crack of dawn - aka 6:15 am, our personal best despite many failed attempts.

I was determined to catch a sunrise.

Did we? …technically.

We parked ourselves on a rock at a viewpoint so unreal it almost made up for it.

At the top of Blyde River Forever Resort, the Three Rondavels were laid out in full dramatic glory.

Honestly - wow.

Then came the Leopard Trail.

Salt casually mentioned there MIGHT be leopards.

“Don’t worry, they’re shy - you won’t even notice them.”

Fantastic - invisible predators.

Very comforting.

I was told to “relax,” which - as always - worked instantly and completely.

But the views?

Unreal.

Photos don’t even come close—it’s not just what you see, it’s the calm that hits you with it.

Mountains upon mountains - stacked like they’re in some kind of queue, waiting to be seen.

As if they’re auditioning for a role in some epic nature documentary.

As usual, the best viewpoint was slightly off course - thanks Salt.

We just sat there, silent, completely mesmerized.

Hard to imagine anything beating that view - or the peace that came with it.

Salt even built a little twig arrow for anyone lucky enough to wander past.

Public service, really.

Then we reached the official viewpoint… which, frankly, was a bit underwhelming after what we’d just found.

Honestly, trail designers - just call us.

We’ll find the real viewpoints.

Think of us as your personal scenic consultants at this point - part instinct, part luck, zero tolerance for “meh.”

Anyhoo.....back to the trail.......

After I walked headfirst into a branch, Salt (very patiently) suggested I try looking up occasionally.

“I have to look down to see where I’m going,” I said. “How am I supposed to look up too?”

Turns out I could - just enough to catch the occasional branch before it caught me.

Groundbreaking, I know.

.

This was particularly fortunate, as there were these vines with the longest, thickest thorns I’ve ever seen.

Getting smacked in the face by one of those - less magical.

Salt, in a rare poetic moment, said the vines and thorns felt like they were there to keep people out.

Which totally made sense, because on the other side? Something ridiculously beautiful.

After a bit of breakfast, we tackled the 2 km Kadisha-Tufa Trail, a completely different vibe from our first hike. 

It was genuinely stunning. An enchanting realm where every turn reveals yet another breathtaking scene, and the air is filled with the soothing symphony of rushing water. 

The trees?

Lush, green and absolutely brimming with that ethereal quality - like sentinels guarding their precious waterfalls - and each step seemed to lead to a new, awe-inspiring sight.

As you wandered deeper into this enchanted forest, you were treated to a series of graceful cascades that danced with a kind of fluid elegance, with each waterfall performing its unique choreography.

But the pièce de résistance?

That came right at the end - a grand, gushing waterfall that appeared with all the dramatic flair of a fireworks finale.

And oh, the pool! It looked inviting, shimmering and clear, begging for a dive.

But it was a bit cool, and Salt and I, while always up for an adventure, are decidedly not the thrill-seekers we might pretend to be.

We’re more the “admire from the edge” variety.

The whole way - I just followed Salt - in full explorer mode, inspecting every nook and cranny.

How long did it take?

Irrelevant.

These hikes were about the journey - not the destination.

Obviously.

AREA - Uuuum..guess.

DIFFICULTY AND LENGTH

Honestly, if you are in the area, and you have hiked anything slightly challenging or strenuous before and survived....these can and must be done!!

At no point did I feel like I was pushing my mental or physical limits.

The trail was labeled as a 5 km trail by the establishment, supposedly the most challenging one around with regards to fitness.

Honestly, I think they were just covering their bases.

We knocked it out in two and a half hours.

Yes, it was technical, and yes, there were some ascents that got the heart pumping, but it was thoroughly enjoyable and totally doable.

No dramatic gasping for my last breath this time! (unless you count the sheer awe at the sights we saw).

ELEVATION -  379 m

Didn’t feel it at all - was way too busy getting smacked in the face with jaw-dropping views to even notice....and branches.

MARKERS 

SO well marked!!

HIGHLIGHTS - Well ummm.....EVERYTHING!!!

It never ceases to amaze me how places that were nowhere near my bucket list as a non-hiker suddenly shoot to the top as the absolute best places on earth.

Because nothing says "world-class destination" like sweaty, uphill battles and the occasional wildlife-induced panic attack.