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Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve

The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undulating pastoral countryside until just before Midmar Dam, where it is joined by the Lions River.Below Midmar Dam the river plunges some 111 metres down the Howick Falls and into the uMngeni Valley where it is joined by the Karkloof tributary before flowing into Albert Falls Dam, rated as one of the best bass fishing dams in the world.The area around the Albert Falls Dam is filled with secluded nature trails and picnic spots, which form part of the Albert Falls Nature Reserve, established in 1975.It is an area only a half-hour’s drive from both Durban and Pietermaritzburg that offers wonderful game viewing, boating, fishing and rock climbing opportunities.

Alexandra Park

Is one of the green belts which contributes to Pietermaritzburg’s reputation as “The Garden City”. The park was established in 1863 and named after Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII.The 85 hectare park is bounded by the Msunduzi River, along which the famous canoe marathon runs.The Park is a hive of activity during summer evenings when many can be seen strolling, jogging or cycling through the jacaranda lined gardens, which include rockeries, azaleas and a magnificent rose garden.The Chinese looking pavilion, or bandstand, was established in 1898, and light meals may be enjoyed in what is today a national monument.

Basani Art and Craft Centre

Adjacent to the Royal Show grounds in Pietermaritzburg lies Basani Arts and Crafts Centre in Hyslop Road.The centre, which has recently been completely renovated, boasts a gallery, a ceramics room and craft room containing a selection of Zulu crafts.Magwaza clay pots are on offer in the ceramics rooms and are sourced from the surrounding areas of Msinga and Nkandla.The centre was originally established to provide a central base for young Zulu artists to meet and work.Talented local artists, Mthokozisi Myeza and S Xaba are amongst those whose work is exhibited in the gallery.

Golden Horse Casino

Scottsville is now home, not only to its well known race course, but to the largest horse statue in the world - a 14 metre Pegasus.The Pegasus proudly greets visitors to the Golden Horse casino, which is a four-star luxury hotel in Pietermaritzburg.The Pegasus was known as the horse god in Greek mythology and was sired by Poseidon, the god of the sea.Sixteen additional Tang horses line the path to the casino entrance, and these and the carved panels framing the front door, which are reproductions of Assyrian panels from 500BC, were specifically commissioned for the Golden Horse Casino.The casino complex provides 96 luxury rooms and a casino, and has views over Scottsville Race Course.Three restaurants, ranging from barbeque buffet to Indian cuisine, are available along with a bar and a fast food court. Conferencing facilities are also on offer.

Natal Museum

Is a museum situated just south of Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall in Jabu Ndlovu Street, the Natal Museum is one of South Africa’s five national museums, set in a particularly pretty building that dates back to 1905.The name, Natal Museum, which is in the process of changing in an attempt to reposition itself as it has shifted with the changes in the country, gives little indication of the museum’s collection.It is in fact a cultural and natural history museum renowned for its unique collections - there are eight natural history and around ten cultural history galleries that include an array of mammals (together with the last wild elephant in KwaZulu Natal), birds, amphibians, insects, an extensive mollusc collection (there are few South African land snails that are not represented in the Natal Museum) and a life-size T-Rex model.There is also a room dedicated to Natal’s history, geological and paleontological material, and a reconstruction of a Victorian street, complete with shops and period homes.

July - December
January - May

January - May -> 28(°C) - Summer
July - December -> 22(°C) - Winter

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