Accommodation in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa

View map of  Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg Tourism Information: This wonderful little city is often called 'the last outpost of the British Empire' by admirers and detractors alike. It's not really true, but its many red brick Victorian buildings do give the town a rather genteel air. Situated in a hollow surrounded by hills, Pietermaritzburg lies on the edge of the rather lovely green Midlands, which is so well endowed with craft shops, restaurants, trout hatcheries, boutique breweries, cheese factories and every other form of bucolic delight that it has formed itself into a route called the Midlands Meander.

Other nearby attractions include the scenic Howick Falls, and the Karkloof treetop canopy tour. There are excellent mountain biking trails in the area, some game farms and it’s not far from the Drakensberg. 

Cultural attractions include a number of museums, township tours and nearby battlefields. An interesting monument is the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the spot where he was arrested for riding in a 'whites only' train carriage. He claimed that his career of passive resistance started then.

Pietermaritzburg is just short of 100km from Durban, with which it has very intimate ties. These are most notable in two very tough races, which are run between the cities. The Comrades Marathon is 98km long and follows the old national road. 

The other race is the Dusi Canoe Marathon, which is run on the Umsinduzi River every year.

Things to do in Pietermaritzburg:

Natal Museum - 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg - 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 saw 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.

Butterflies for Africa - 37 Willowton Rd, 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.

Tel +27 (0) 33 387 1356

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. 

Albert Falls Dam & Game Reserve, Pietermaritzburg - One of the largest dams in KwaZulu-Natal, Albert Falls Dam 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 whole area has abundant bird life as well as zebra and several antelope species. Visitors can enjoy game drives at the Msinsi Reserve. In winter Otto's Bluff is worth checking out when the aloes are flowering.