Things to do near
Mid Illovo
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Camperdown (15.3 km from Mid Illovo) Enjoy an exhilarating flight with awesome views as you climb to altitude over Durban's golden beaches, the turquoise Indian Ocean and the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
Durban Skydive Centre will lift you up into the sky to jump at an altitude of 8 000 to 12 000 ft. You will be firmly attached to a qualified and experienced tandem instructor and free-fall for an unforgettable 45 seconds.
After the free-fall, you will have the opportunity to fly the canopy during the 6-minute parachute descent. The instructor will take over for the landing.
Need to know Everything is provided; all you need to bring is running shoes. Maximum weight limit is 110 kg. Open daily from January to December; bookings are every hour from 09:00 to 14:00.
072 214 6040
www.skydivedurban.co.za
Waterfall
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Mpumalanga (18.3 km from Mid Illovo) The majestic Horseshoe Falls are found along the Sabie River and only 4 km off the Old Lydenburg Road in Mpumalanga. Visitors can enjoy a short walk through the beautiful terrain that leads to the waterfall. There is also a variety of bird life and wildlife. The waterfall receives its name from its circular appearance and has also been declared a national monument due to its unusual shape.For a small fee visitors can explore the area, enjoy a picnic, and cool down in the refreshing pools.
Animal Parks
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Bothas Hill (30.3 km from Mid Illovo) PheZulu Safari Park boasts a crocodile and snake park offering guests interesting tours led by knowledgeable guides.
Learn fascinating facts about fearsome crocodiles and snakes, meet 'Junior' their 102-year-old Nile crocodile and have a hands-on experience with Cleo, their lovely Burmese python who weighs in at 42 kilograms and is 3.2 metres long.
Don’t miss the chance of ogling many snake species including African rock pythons, green and black mambas, boomslang, vine snakes, puff adders, spitting cobras, rinkhals, forest cobras, Egyptian cobras, bush snakes, night adders, spotted house snakes, southern brown egg eaters, olive house snakes, Burmese pythons, anacondas and boa constrictors.
+27 (0) 31 777 1000
Old Main Road, Botha's Hill, Valley of 1000 Hills, KwaZulu-Natal.
Mountain Biking Trails
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Hillcrest (30.6 km from Mid Illovo) Grab your bike and hit the trails in the magnificent Giba Gorge. Situated just outside Pinetown off the N3, Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park offers a range of awesome mountain biking trails, a BMX track, and a restaurant – all boasting magnificent views of the stunning Giba valley.
Popular Attractions
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Bothas Hill (31.4 km from Mid Illovo) The 1000 Hills Arts & Crafts Village is situated in the popular and incredibly scenic Valley of 1000 Hills. The Village offers restaurants with breathtaking views, a spa; children’s play area, animal farmyard, lovely little shops, a pub and more. It’s quite easy to spend the entire day here.
Shopping Malls
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Hillcrest (31.7 km from Mid Illovo) The Heritage Market provides a unique shopping experience in the Hillcrest area. As Durban shopping centres go, the outdoor atmosphere of "The Heritage" stands alone. Situated in the 1000 Hills Tourism route, Heritage Market caters for the whole family, locals and tourists. Shopping at the Heritage caters for all interests, with shops ranging from jewellery, health, beauty, clothing, sporting and convenience stores to specialist stores not found in your average mall. The Heritage Market offers you the trendiest restaurants, décor shops, and a wide range of entertainment. Apart from restaurants, coffee shops, regular live music and markets, the Heritage Market boasts the Highway area’s first supper club, the Heritage Supper Theatre. Need to know? Trading hours:Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4.30pmSaturday: 9 am - 4 pmSunday: 9 am - 3 pmPublic Holidays: 9am - 3 pmClosed - Christmas Day and New Year's DayOptional Trading - Good Friday and Family Day*Please note: Service shops and restaurants may operate outside of these hours. Ample parking for over 700 free parking spaces is available for patrons.
Animal Parks
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Camperdown (31.7 km from Mid Illovo) Home to eleven of the twelve owl species, five of the eight vulture species and numerous magnificent raptors found in Southern Africa, the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary is well worth a visit.
Dedicated to conserving indigenous raptors, the haven is also a base for continuing research, breeding and rehabilitation projects for birds of prey, mostly run ‘behind the scenes’. There is also a large selection of captive-bred or ‘non-releasable rehabilitation’ birds. These feathered friends can be viewed in their ‘micro-environment’ visitors keen to discover more about South Africa’s beautiful aerial predators.
Specially trained birds wow spectators with their daily flight displays, given to educate and facilitate awareness of effective conservation of our environment and its creatures. These demonstrations allow the winged beauties themselves to become both teachers and ambassadors for their wild counterparts, giving the audience a first-hand experience of these rare and elusive birds.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 – 16:00. Closed on Christmas Day and during the Comrades Marathon.
Flying Display Times: weekdays (except Mondays) 10:30, weekends and public holidays 10:30 and 15:00.
'Gobble and Squabble' Vulture Feeding Sessions: weekends 12:00 (phone and confirm should this be your primary reason for visiting).
+27 (0) 31 785 4382
Popular Attractions
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Kloof (31.8 km from Mid Illovo) The breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills is an awesome holiday destination that offers unspoilt nature, wildlife, magnificent scenery, wining and dining, and warm country hospitality just a half an hour's drive from the centre of Durban.It is named for the countless hills which tumble down to the mighty Umgeni River that flows from the distant Drakensberg Mountains to the temptingly warm Indian Ocean.Starting at Botha's Hill, the historic Valley of 1000 Hills stretches through to Drummond, Assegay & Shongweni. It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and scenic areas of KZN, offering lots of fun, entertainment and shopping.Dense forests, plunging waterfalls and vast pristine wilderness attract an abundance of birds and wildlife to the area. The Valley of 1000 Hills is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country and really shouldn't be missed on your trip to KZN.The arts, crafts, galleries, coffee shops, candle makers and antiques available along the route will ensure there's something for those who are born to shop!Nature Reserves in the 100 Hills area include Alverstone Conservancy, Clive Cheesman Nature Reserve, Crestholme Nature Reserve, Glenholme Nature Reserve, Inanda Resort Reserve, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Madwala Conservancy, Misty Mountain, Nagle Resource Reserve, Phezulu Safari Park, Shongweni Resource Reserve and Springside Nature Reserve.
Animal Parks
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Bothas Hill (31.8 km from Mid Illovo) The 1000 Hills Bird Park offers an enchanting experience with rare and exotic feathered friends. The riotous chorus of calls, colourful plumage and character of these birds is a magnet for kids and adults alike.
Visitors can admire their spectacular paint-box colouring and quirky antics, either from outside contained aviaries or strolling in walk-through aviaries, landscaped gardens and paddocks. An exciting new feature is the 150-metre zip slide.
Bring your own picnic basket or order a snack hamper two days in advance. Braais facilities are available.
Open Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 08:00 – 16:00.
Popular Attractions
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Illovo Glen (36.2 km from Mid Illovo) Armani Day Spa and Wellness Clinic is situated in a lush garden in Winklespruit, 5 km south from Amanzimtoti. This boutique day spa offers a peaceful refuge where guests can indulge in luxurious signature treatments from professionally trained staff.
Galleries and Museums
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Pinetown (37.5 km from Mid Illovo) The Fat Tuesday Gallery is dedicated to providing an exhibition space for visual artists. The gallery is strongly focused on acting as a platform for both emerging and established photographers. There is an eclectic mix of various paintings, photographs, and ceramics that will entice people with different tastes and interests.
There are also various funky items on display such as retro clocks, wind-up toys and re-worked images of pop culture. Visitors can browse through the large collection of books, home decor, and various pieces of original art. The gallery is open on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Nature Reserves
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Kloof (37.8 km from Mid Illovo) Offering numerous scenic walks and viewpoints, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is a haven for twitchers and jaded urbanites right in the heart of the suburb of Kloof.
The spectacular Kloof Gorge is part of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, and is one of the few places in Durban where Knysna Turaco can be found, along with a number of forest birds and the magnificent crowned eagle.
The attractive Everton Conservancy is also part of the Kloof area, and to crown these ecological attractions – the spectacular Valley of 1 000 Hills Tourism Experience starts in Kloof.
A magnet for eco-tourists, Kloof is also a welcome retreat for business executives visiting the nearby industrial areas of Pinetown and Hammarsdale.
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is open from 6am to 6pm daily. Entrance is free excepting for a small fee charged at the Kloof Falls picnic site on weekends.
Please ensure that you are familiar with your hiking route prior to departure, as it is fairly easy to get lost in the gorge.
Guided walks take place on the first and third Sunday of each month at 8am. Cost is R30 per person and booking is essential for these walks. The walks leave from the main picnic site in Kloof Falls road.
Should you require further information about any of the walks or trails telephone the Officer in Charge: (0)31 764 3515.
Popular Attractions
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Westcliff (Durban) (37.9 km from Mid Illovo) Leave your shoes at the door and walk into a colourful Hindu sanctuary. The spacecraft-like exterior belies the opulent interior of marble tiles, gold-tinted windows, crystal chandeliers and lavish decorations. Ceiling frescoes and statuettes pay tribute to the divine couple, Radha and Krishna.
Entrance is free and people of all faiths are welcome to spend time here meditating, praying or just to soak up the contemplative atmosphere while wandering around the lush garden and peaceful environment.
Underneath the temple is a wonderful restaurant run by devotees serving scrumptious vegetarian fare to eat there or take away.
+27 (0) 31 403 3328
Beaches
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Winklespruit (38.3 km from Mid Illovo) This beach is the main beach of the small seaside village of Winklespruit, situated between Warner Beach and Illovo on the South Coast. There is a large park close to the beach perfect for picnics. The lagoon stretching into the sea is ideal for canoeing and boating, and the beach itself is shark protected and a delight for swimmers and surfers. The tidal pool will also keep kids entertained for hours.
Nature Reserves
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Amanzimtoti (38.4 km from Mid Illovo) The Ilanda Wilds Nature Reserve is a small reserve situated along the banks of the Amanzimtoti River. Lush riverine and coastal forest is home to more than 120 tree and shrub species. Rare trees include the Natal Elm and Fluted Milkwood.
Popular with bird watchers, Ilanda Wilds boasts almost 300 recorded species. Cape clawless otter, small antelope, chameleons, monkeys and various species of frogs, fish and butterflies can also be found. The Loerie, Mpiti and Mongoose Trails meander through the forest to the riverbanks. Along with these well-marked trails, facilities include picnic and braai facilities and ablutions.