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| Pietermaritzburg | ||
| province | KwaZulu-Natal | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | around 1 million | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist info | (0)33 394 1348 www.pmbtourism.co.za | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Pietermaritzburg is a city in the province KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. A day visit to the city is worthwhile if you visit the highlights listed here.
background
Petermaritzburg was founded in 1839 by the Voortrekkers. It is the capital and second largest city of the province of KwaZulu-Natal and is the administrative seat of the parish Msunduzi. There are beautiful colonial buildings in the city center, but their condition is generally poor. The financially strong class has largely withdrawn from the city center, so that around the City Hall there are almost exclusively smaller shops and a lot of obvious poverty.
getting there
Pietermaritzburg is located on the N3, the city is about 80 km from Durban removed, after Johannesburg it is around 490 km.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
- 1 City Hall. A large brick building with a 47 m high bell tower. Exciting only from the outside.
- Tatham Art Gallery. across from City Hall. Great exhibition of contemporary South African art and pictures. Cute cafe attached.
- 2 KwaZulu-Natal Museum, 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal, 3021. Tel.: 27-33-3451404. Exhibits: vertebrates and invertebrates of Africa, Zulu ceramics, San rock paintings.Open: Mon-Fri 8:15 am - 4:30 pm, Sat 9 am-4pm, Sun 10 am-3pm.Price: ZAR 12.50.
- 3 Voortrekker Museum, 351 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg. Tel.: 27 (0)33-394 6834. Diverse museum complex. Exhibits of different cultures: Church of the Vow, house of Andries Pretorius, throne of King Dingane.
- 4 KwaZulu National Botanic Garden, 2 Swartkops Rd, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg. Tel.: 27 33 344 3585. Nice if you want to kill a few hours walking. In front of the garden there is a farmers market on weekends in the mornings, where you can buy local goods such as biltong, jams and other homemade delicacies.Open: Oct-Apr 8 am-6pm, otherwise 8 am-5:30pm.Price: Admission adults ZAR 14, children ZAR 8.
activities
- Absolutely: Friday / Saturday evening in 1 Peter Booysen Sports Park a rugby Watch the game of the UKZN-IMPI teams. No entry fee, with very cheap drinks and a great vibe. Before that on theirs Facebook site but check when a game is scheduled!
- Possibly: A soccer game from Maritzburg United in the 2 Harry Gwala Stadium look at. Low entry fee and a fun experience for football fans.
shop
- 1 Poobie Naidoo Sports Wholesalers - The institution for sportswear. Huge selection of branded goods at low prices. 67 Boshoff Street.
- 2 Liberty Midlands Mall - a typical South African mall with a food court and cinema.
kitchen
Most of the restaurants are in the suburbs.
nightlife
accommodation
security
health
Practical advice
trips
There are worthwhile excursion destinations in the area.
- 5 Mandela Capture MonumentHowick. Very modern memorial in the place where Mandela was arrested. Impressive place steeped in history. There is a worthwhile museum and a nice café on site.
- 6 Bisley Valley Nature Reserve. Directly accessible from the city and freely accessible. Well worth it to walk for a couple of hours. There are zebras, giraffes and antelopes. You won't find anyone in the bush during the week.
- 7 Tala Private Game Reserve, R603 Umbumbulu Road, Camperdown, Pietermaritzburg. Tel.: 27 (0)31 781 8000. Located on the R603 just before Eston on the left, exit the N2 in Camperdown. Can be driven on with the car itself against admission. No predators, but otherwise great safari opportunities with hippos and buffalo.
