Pietermaritzburg may be the capital of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, but it has long been regarded as little more than a university and retirement town. However, Maritzburg, as it is known to the locals, is coming of age and it’seasy to see why.
The Secret’s Out
Pietermaritzburg is in the midst of a boom, but not at the expense of the rich history of this city. Among those who have left their mark are Mohandas Gandhi, Queen Victoria and Nelson Mandela.
It has a world-renowned legacy for some of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture. So start off with a half day historical walking tourof the city before exploring its other delights.
Or, for something completely different, roll up your sleeves with other volunteers at the Georgetown Project, an early mission station where unemployed residents learn restoration skills.
A Peek into the Past
The Natal Museum is the largest national museum in KwaZulu-Natal; focusing on objects of cultural and scientific value. For a glimpse of 19th century life in the city go to the Voortrekker Museum and MacrorieHouse.
See the restoration programme of coaches and locomotives dating back to 1888 at The KZN Railway Museum at Mason’s Hill or take a historic rail excursion with volunteer enthusiasts.
And there are nice touches round the old town like the horse rail outside the Imperial Hotel where the Prince Imperial, Napoleon Eugene Louis John Joseph Bonaparte, the only son of Napoleon 111 and Empress Eugenie De Monteyo, would tether his horse.
Inspiring Art
The Tatham is one of the country’s top seven art galleries. Compare a wide range of African art with an impressive collection of 19th and early 20th century British and French masters including David Hockney, Henry Moore, Degas, Pablo Picasso, Matisse and Renoir.
Nature on Show
See why Maritzburg is called the city of flowers. It even has its own rose. In late September, its garden time as nature erupts to celebrate the arrivalof spring.
Visit the Garden and Leisure Show or be inspired by some of the city’s best private gardens when they’re opened to the public during Open Gardens. You’ll be able to see everything from compact apartment gardens to sprawling estates.
You can see the Pietermaritzburg rose at Alexandra Park or just enjoy the tranquillity of these 85 hectare gardens established nearly 150 years ago. Here you can also catch a concert or cricket game at the Pavilion; an exquisite Victorian masterpiece built in 1898.
Gardens Galore
The National Botanical Gardens are open year round and concentrate on sustaining rare and endangered indigenous species. It’s a birding paradise and home to some small game. Or hike through the azaleas and proteas of Wylie Park’s landscaped gardens and the Green Belt at Ferncliff to be rewarded by the vistas from World’s View.
Getting a little wilder, enjoy a picnic; self guided trail and the rhino enclosure at Queen Elizabeth Park, the headquarters of the renowned KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. And don’t forget the Butterfly House at the Bird Sanctuary.
Serious about Sport
South Africans love their sport and Maritzburg is no exception. The Dusi Canoe Marathon, which starts here, is a gruelling three day, 110 kilometre kayak marathon to Durban held at the end of January. The Comrades Marathon, alternately to or from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, is a 90 km race recognisedas one of the world’s great ultra distance events.
Then there is the Midmar Mile, the world’s largest open water swimming event, held each February. And mountain bikers have the annual 98 km Hill2HillMarathon that ends in Hillcrest.
Within an Hour or Two
There are enough attractions in Pietermaritzburg to keep you busy, but should wanderlust strike there are treasures in easy reach. Within an hour or two in any direction there’s a magnificent coastline, the Drakensberg mountains and battlefields of international historic interest.
For wildlife lovers there are four game and nature reserves within half an hour of the city. The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve has accommodation, one of the country’s leading environmental education centres, and a wide variety of fauna and flora. Also try The Lion Park, Tala Game Reserve and the Albert Falls.
And if you have caught the leisure bug, for that is the style of Pietermaritzburg, head for the beautiful Midlands, a lush pastoral area that provides top-class produce. Follow the Midlands Meander, a pioneering route of hospitality and craft-based tourist attractions. Or The Amble, a route through the attractions of the region’s less developed forested valleys and scrubland.
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Botanical Garden picture © uMgungundlovu District Municipality