Valley of 1000 Hills

The Valley of 1000 Hills Experience route is one of KwaZulu-Natal's best kept secrets. The Valley of a 1000 Hills forms around the majestic valley created by the Mngeni River and it's tributaries. Many artists and crafters have been attracted to the beauty and tranquility of this area which is dotted with cozy guest lodges, friendly pubs and tea gardens with sweeping views over the hills and dams.

The Valley of 1000 Hills in South Africa The anchor attractions on the 1000 Hills Experience are the dramatic landscape and Zulu culture which is well interpreted at three cultural villages. At the Isithumba Village, situated next to the Umgeni, visitors are taken into the homes of rural people living there to share a meal and find out more about their lifestyle and traditions. The Phezulu Safari Park and the Izimtaba Cultural Village, two well established and carefully replicated cultural villages with Zulu dancing and cultural shows three times a day .

In days gone by, the route was the main road into the hinterland from Durban. Wagons spent the night at the little village of Inchanga which still boasts a sign showing the mileage to Cape Town and Cairo. Along the route, recapture the feeling of yesteryear with wagon trail trips.

The 1000 Hills Choo Choo offers steam train trips from Kloof station to Cato Ridge on weekends and the more adventurous can view the stunning scenery from the skies. Microlight flips are organised by the Jabiru Flight Training school at Cato Ridge Airfield. There are also boat cruises on Shongweni, Nagle and Inanda Dams and visitors can spend a day on a guided fishing trip or escorted 4X4 drives through the Valley Floor.

The Valley of A Thousand Hills is a fascinating area to visit. All the inconsistencies of Colonial Africa are there - the literally thousands of hills are covered with traditional Zulu homes while along the spine of the Valley you will find colonial buildings that perhaps belong on a different continent - such as the strange architecture of the Rob Roy Hotel, the broekie lace gazebos at the Victorian style Heritage Market and the vast mock Tudor Castle at Camelot Golf Course and Medieval Restaurant with its rolling green meadows and dams straight out of the English countryside. Only 30 kms west of Durban, the route which starts in Kloof and ends at Cato Ridge is easily accessible from the N3 and M13 past Pinetown. The main section follows the route of the famous Comrades Marathon Route through Hillcrest, past the midway point at Drummond and on to Inchanga and Cato Ridge. Other branches of the 1000 Hills Experience take the visitor to the scenic resorts and nature reserves at Shongweni, Nagle and Inanda Dams, along the Umgeni River through the Valley and to the beautiful Krantzkloof Gorge.

The area is literally as old as the hills but there is also much that is new and refreshing. No trip to KwaZulu-Natal would be complete without a visit to the 1000 Hills Experience. The 1000 Hills experience combines over 130 members ranging from the hospitality Hotels and Bed and breakfast establishments to arts and crafts, adventure sports, sightseeing or lazy view sites and restaurants. Something for the whole family.