Things to do in Pietermaritzburg(within 90min drive)
Here is a list of some things you can do that are in, or at least very close to Pietermaritzburg:
- Tala 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 & museum, shop for local products at Piggly Wiggly Country Village or for shoes at Born in Africa
- Midlands lunch at one of the manylovely scenic restaurants (Il Postino, Tumble Downs, La Lampara)
- Karkloof canopy tours (8 ziplines over indigenous forest) & visit the Blue & Wattled crane conservation centre on your way home
- Umgeni River Valley Nature Reserve walks (zebra, kudu, impala & 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 & reef dives (Umkomaas) – lots of ragged tooth sharks & 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 & picnic in Queen Elizabeth Park or Ferncliff Nature Reserves (in Pmb, nice views & bit of game)
- Marutswa Forest boardwalk in Bulwer (great guides & 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 & Water Park (& visit the Moses Mabida stadium while you’re in Durban)
- Karkloof or Shongweni Farmer’s market early on Sat mornings
- Picnic & swimming 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 & Oil, Traffords …
- Lunch at Flavour cafe (Warwick road), Rosehurst (Boom street), Coffeeberry (Cascades)