Animal Parks
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Pietermaritzburg Take an inspirational walk through the tropical house of Butterflies for Africa. This lush and spectacular environment brings visitors into close contact with free-flying indigenous and exotic butterflies.
Butterflies for Africa flies high with some of the top butterfly houses from around the globe with some unique offerings. The complex features a walk-through butterfly house, craft shop, art gallery, coffee bar, African art and craft centre, butterfly nursery and a garden planted with a big variety of food plants for butterflies.
+27 (0) 33 387 1356
37 Willowton Rd, Willowton, Pietermaritzburg
Tuesday to Friday 09:00 – 16:30
Saturday 09:30 – 15:30
Sunday 10:30 – 15:30
Closed on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Galleries and Museums
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Pietermaritzburg You’re always assured of seeing something new at the Natal Museum
Here you’ll view a constant array of fascinating temporary exhibitions and happenings ranging from xenophobic violence to a mixed children’s art exhibition at this dynamic museum.
2010 sees the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indian people and an exploration of the history of segregation in the US.
Eight natural history and ten cultural history galleries showcase numerous mammals including the last wild elephant in KwaZulu-Natal, birds, amphibians, insects and an extensive mollusc collection. Kids will love checking out the life-size T-Rex model.
Stroll through a life-size rendering of a Drakensberg rock art cave or walk the plank of a wrecked trading vessel in the Towns and Trade Exhibition.
The museum has an internet café, resource library for learners, film room and coffee/snack bar.
Open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 16:30, Saturdays 10:00 – 16:00 Sundays 11:00 – 15:00.
Things to do near
Pietermaritzburg
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Racecourses
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Scottsville (1.9 km from Pietermaritzburg) Scottsville Racecourse's modern facilities incorporate all the very best in racecourse comfort, elegance and intimacy. Easily one of the most attractive racecourses in South Africa, Scottsville is situated 2.5 km from Pietermaritzburg’s city centre.
The Spanish-style course buildings include a number of restaurants, an pub and a picnic enclosure as well as the more usual racing facilities. The Golden Horse Casino is conveniently attached to the Scottsville Grandstand allowing both racing and casino customers easy access to both facilities.
Nature Reserves
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Hilton (8.3 km from Pietermaritzburg) Serving as the headquarters of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, KwaZulu-Natal’s nature conservation service, this small reserve offers an outdoor leisure and environmental education facility for the Natal Midlands.
Situated in Hilton, Queen Elizabeth Park Nature Reserve is home to impala, zebra, blesbok, bushbuck, grey and blue duiker, dassies, and crowned eagles. Numerous indigenous and exotic plants grow throughout the park. Of special interest are several cycads species and endangered Hilton daisies occurring naturally in the grasslands.
There is no accommodation but day trippers can make use of three picnic areas with braai and ablution facilities. More energetic folk can do the circular self-guided iDube trail.
Nature Reserves
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Winterskloof (10.8 km from Pietermaritzburg) The Doreen Clark Nature Reserve is only a short distance from the north of Pietermaritzburg. The seven hectare nature reserve consists of a podocarpus forest with grassland running along its edges.
There are quaint picnic spots scattered around the reserve, as well as hiking trails ranging in difficulty but suitable for all ages. The reserve is a bird watcher's paradise with regular visitors such as the African emerald cuckoo, narina trogon,and white-starred robin. The magnificent African crowned eagle is also a resident bird of the nature reserve, and visitors can spot more than five different species of cuckoo during the summer season.
Animal Parks
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Camperdown (16.4 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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
Nature Reserves
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Albert Falls (17.6 km from Pietermaritzburg) One of the largest dams in KwaZulu-Natal, Albert Falls Dam and Nature Reserve is a popular playground for sailors, canoeists, twitchers, hikers, horse riders and fisherfolk.
The dam is rated one of the best bass fishing dams in the world and an international bass fishing competition is held there annually.
The reserve has abundant bird life as well as zebra and several antelope species. In winter Otto's Bluff is worth checking out when the aloes are flowering.
Waterfall
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Howick (20.8 km from Pietermaritzburg) Abseil Howick FallsIf life has become a little dull, why not walk over the edge and abseil down the second tallest waterfall in South Africa. At the bottom of the thundering 107-metre-high Howick Falls, you plop into an inflatable boat that takes you to the start of an indigenous forest walk.The trail takes you through the Howick Falls Conservancy where you may catch a glimpse of nesting crowned and fish eagles. If you’re quiet you might even spot shy bush buck in the shadows. The Zulu name for Howick Falls is KwaNogqaza, meaning Place of the Tall One. According to local teachings, the plunge pool at the bottom is the home of the Inkanyamba, a Loch Ness-type creature. It is believed that only sangomas can safely approach the falls, and only to offer prayers to the Inkanyamba ancestral spirits.Contact www.spiritofadventure.co.za for abseiling: +27 (0)31 769 1981.
Nature Reserves
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Howick (24.4 km from Pietermaritzburg) Situated just seven kilometres from Howick and 24 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg, the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve is a great spot for locals and visitors alike. The large fresh water dam is fed by the uMngeni River, offering a fun water sports and fishing venue. Day trippers often make use of numerous shady picnic areas and braai facilities along the shoreline.
Windsurfing, canoeing, swimming and mountain biking are popular activities around the Midmar Dam. In certain areas it is zoned for yachts and powerboats. The world’s largest open water swimming event, the Midmar Mile, draws over 16 000 international and local competitors annually to swim the dam in record time.
The reserve is also home to numerous red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black wildebeest, oribi and zebra. Carp, bass, scalies and bluegill fish proliferate in the dam. Pick up a freshwater fishing licence at the office near the entrance gates. Below the dam, the uMngeni River plummets over the Howick Falls on its way to the Indian Ocean.
Waterfall
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Howick (25.3 km from Pietermaritzburg) The Karkloof Falls is an 88m waterfall situated in the the beautiful Karkloof hills. Picnic and braai under trees surrounding the Falls.
Karkloof indigenous forest offers the Karkloof Canopy Tour.
Popular Attractions
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Howick (28 km from Pietermaritzburg) Madiba fans and struggle history buffs all make their political pilgrimage to the Mandela Capture Monument. This significant site is where the world's most famous anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, was apprehended while driving incognito from Durban to Johannesburg. On the 5th of August 1962 Mandela was arrested at a point on the main R103 near Lions River and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. He had been on the run from the Security Police for seventeen months. The monument has been erected at this spot, the place where he said goodbye to freedom for 27 years.Need to know? Look for the road sign on the R103.
Popular Attractions
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Camperdown (28.5 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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 (34.9 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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 (41 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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.
Popular Attractions
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Bothas Hill (42 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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.
Popular Attractions
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Kloof (43.1 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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 (43.4 km from Pietermaritzburg) 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.