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68°F / 20°C
(Passing Clouds. Mild.)
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The Valley of 1000 Hills
This day trip into the majestic Valley of 1,000 Hills follows part of the arduous course run by participants in the annual Comrades Marathon.
Taking the M7 from Durban you soon pass through the elite residential area of Kloof. Kloof is situated on the edge of a deep gorge between high cliffs carved by the Molweni River. The Krantzkloof Nature Reserve consists of 448 hectares of natural forest in the gorge below Kloof and contains a wealth of animal and bird-life. The Molweni River tumbles into the ravine over the pretty Kloof Falls.
Just outside Kloof is the picturesque village of Hillcrest containing the Heritage Market, a shopping complex exuding a certain Old World charm. The Victorian-style architecture creates an appealing aesthetic effect, while the garden setting, with gazeboes, walkways and rose gardens, provide a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
Continuing on the R103 from Kloof you reach the village of Botha’s Hill from which there are splendid views of the Valley of 1,000 Hills. It takes its name from the Voortrekker, Phillip Rudolph Botha, whom once lived here. The 1,000 Hills Craft Village is located in Botha’s Hill. Drummond further on the R103 also offers views over the scenic valley, as does Cato Ridge.
Due north of Cato Ridge is Natal’s Table Mountain known to the Zulu as enKhabatini, the place of the giraffe thorn tree. This flat-topped mass of sandstone stands sentinel at the head of the Valley.
There are two Zulu cultural villages located in the area, the Izinthaba Zulu Cultural Village and the Phezulu Safari Park. Shows can be seen 7 days a week. Izinthaba offers overnight stays where you can experience the Zulu culture and traditions. Phezulu, on Botha’s Hill offers traditional dancing and kraals, a snake park, crocodile farm, curio shop and restaurant.
This day trip is an invigorating experience for the stressed-out tourist who wants to relax whilst being touched by the splendor of nature, the rich Zulu culture and the thriving arts and crafts of the area.
The South Coast
The South Coast is made up of innumerable golden beaches interspersed by lagoons and streams. Take the N2 south out of Durban. Turn onto the R102 towards Amanzimtoti (Toti) for a leisurely drive overlooking bright blue seas and sun-drenched golden beaches.
Toti has plenty of family facilities, including salt and fresh-water pools. The Toti Bird Sanctuary contains a self-guided trail through the forest as well as three hides from which you may see many of the 150 species of birds which visit the large expanse of open water.
Further south, Port Shepstone, the largest town on the South Coast, offers a treasure chest of flora, fauna and adventure. It has over 18km of pristine coastline; highlights include ocean game drives with whale and dolphin watching. The Shepstone Maritime Museum contains a model of Port Shepstone harbor, a shipwreck display, shark nets and a history of commercial development in southern Kwazulu-Natal.
Oribi Gorge lies 20km inland from Port Shepstone. The gorge, carved through a rugged landscape by the Mzimkulwana River, is one of South Africa’s most exciting beauty spots. Prepare yourself for the vertiginous thrill of standing at the brink of one of the dizzily high walls of this majestic cleft in the earth’s surface. The gorge, 25km long, 5km wide and 400m deep, is a nature reserve alive with a wide variety of bird-life, leopard, duiker, bushbuck, monkeys and the oribi antelope from which it takes its name.
Uvongo lagoon is a short drive south of Port Shepstone. A cascading waterfall forms the dramatic backdrop to the lagoon and bathing beach. Shark nets provide protection for bathers, there is a tidal pool and boats can be hired for fun on the river.
Margate’s main beach is one of the finest south of Durban with great surfing, safe bathing and a boating lagoon. Facilities are plentiful and the many restaurants, discos and live cabarets make it a popular place to relax at the end of the day (but bear in mind the 130km drive back to Durban).
Pietermaritzberg
Pietermaritzberg, “The City in the Country, makes for a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of cultures in Natal as well as the rich history of the region. Prepare yourself for bustling streets where the vigor and strength of Africa, blends with the elegance and architectural refinement of the British Empire, the pragmatism of the pioneers and the exotic flower of India.
Start at the City Hall on the corner of Commercial and Church Streets. This impressive, redbrick building is the largest structure of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Opposite the City Hall is the Tatham Art Gallery. Today, an important gallery, containing a representative collection of South African art as well as Victorian, French and British collections. Upstairs you can find paintings by Degas, Miro, Renoir, Braque and Picasso.
The Supreme Court Gardens are alongside the gallery and are the site of several war memorials. 100m further on, built in 1899, is the old Colonial Building. A statue of Mahatma Ghandi stands nearby commemorating the centenary of his arrival in South Africa. The Presbyterian Church built in 1852 is opposite the Colonial Building and was the first British church in Pietermaritzberg.
The Voortrekker Museum stands on the site of the original Church of the Vow and provides a fascinating look at some of the country’s Afrikaner heritage. It has a collection of period farm machinery, furniture and Voortrekker relics.
From Church Street enter The Lanes on Timber Street. The Lanes are a network of alleyways that were originally the site of Pietermaritzberg’s legal and financial centre. Today they are lined with small shops and cafes. Timber Street leads into Longmarket Street. Turn right and return to Commercial Street passing the impressive General Post Office opened in 1903, the offices of the Natal Witness (South Africa’s oldest newspaper) and the Old Legislative Assembly. The route ends once more on the steps of the City Hall and should be possible to complete in 2-3 hours.
The Midlands Meander
The Midlands Meander lies an easy hour’s drive from Durban on the N3 freeway. Situated between Hilton, a quaint village just north of Pietermaritzberg, and Hidcote, a farming hamlet outside Mooi River, the meander gives visitors a chance to see crafts-people at work, art studios, herb and flower farms, country hotels, breweries and wine barns. It is oddly reminiscent of a drive through English countryside on a Sunday afternoon.
Howick is a charming Midlands town. It is home to the Howick Falls where the Umgeni River drops 95m before continuing on its journey to the Indian Ocean. There are numerous cafes, restaurants and a tourist information office above the falls.
The nearby Midmar Dam is situated off the N3, 7km from Howick. Attractive shady picnic spots are available along the 15km of developed shoreline for the day-visitor. Adequate braai (barbecue), refuse and ablution facilities are available. Launch tours and sunset cruises can be arranged. The Umgeni River Birdpark is a 1,000-hectare bird and game park open to visitors. Red hartebeest, wildebeest, springbok, reedbuck, oribi and zebra can be viewed from vehicles, cycles or on foot. There is a boat shop where cycles, surfboards, canoes and yachts can be hired. The dam is safe for bathing and is zoned for power-boats and water-skiing. The dam is renowned for its excellent fresh-water sport fishing.
The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is a 650-hectare bushveld reserve with well-marked hiking trails. Karkloof Nature Reserve comprises mist belt forest and grassland which support many rare species of plants and animals.
Nottingham Road is another small farming settlement situated on the Midlands route. A 40km circular drive around Nottingham Road is proving to be particularly popular with visitors. Ports of call include an artist retreat, a paper-related gift shop, a country deli and bakery, trout fishing sites and traditional guesthouses.
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