Things to do in Pietermaritzburg (within a 90 minute drive)
Here is a list of some things you can do that are in, or at least very close to, Pietermaritzburg:
- Tala Collection Game Reserve on Eston Road — see rhinos, giraffe, zebra, hippos, then picnic next to the swimming pool
- Midlands Meander drive — eat Belgian chocolates, see Mandela’s capture site and museum, shop for local products at Piggly Wiggly Country Village, or for shoes at Born in Africa
- Midlands lunch at one of the many lovely scenic restaurants (Il Postino, Tumble Downs, La Lampara)
- Karkloof Canopy Tours — 8 ziplines over indigenous forest, and visit the Blue and Wattled Crane Conservation Centre on your way home
- Umgeni River Valley Nature Reserve walks — zebra, kudu, impala, and picnic next to the river
- African Bird of Prey Sanctuary — bird shows overlooking the Valley of a Thousand Hills (Lion Park Road)
- Sunny day on the beach — Durban, Umhlanga, Scottburgh
- Underwater wreck and reef dives (Umkomaas) — lots of ragged tooth sharks and manta rays
- Magestic Drakensberg Mountains — day hike to a cave or just enjoy the view (Highmoor, Kamberg, Underberg are the closest)
- Best mountain biking in South Africa — hundreds of kms of single track, Cascades, Hilton, Karkloof, Howick
- Walk and picnic in Queen Elizabeth Park or Ferncliffe Nature Reserves — in Pietermaritzburg, nice views and a bit of game
- Marutswa Forest boardwalk in Bulwer — great guides and see the elusive Cape Parrot
- Howick Falls — 95m high, then enjoy view of them from Yellowood Cafe on the other side of the valley, on the Karkloof Road
- Ushaka Marine World Aquarium and Water Park — and visit the Moses Mabida Stadium while you’re in Durban
- Karkloof or Shongweni Farmer’s market early on Saturday mornings
- Picnic and swim at Midmar or Albert Falls Dam — swim the Midmar Mile in February
- Umgeni Steam Railway — Kloof – Gillits – Kloof — last Sunday of the month
- Sundowners overlooking the Umgeni river from Hilton College Estate
- Dinner at Tandoor, Olive and Oil, Traffords
- Lunch at Flavour Cafe (Warwick Road), Rosehurst (Boom Street), Coffeeberry (Cascades)
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