This full day country tour will take you inland to the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. Thousands of local and foreign visitors ‘do’ the Midlands Meander annually, taking in the spectacular country scenery of rolling hills and waterfalls. The Midlands is the largest art and craft tourism area in SA and so a special attraction of this tour is being able to stop off at any of the many arts and crafts studios along the way. All of these attractions make up the quaint kind of country living offered by the Midlands.
Heading out west from Durban these are some of the highlights of the trip:
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the second largest city in the province and is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. A Victorian style of architecture is very evident and this city is home to many quaint antique shops, markets, restaurants, art galleries and museums. The annual Dusi Canoe Marathon starts here and it is also the beginning or ending point of the world famous annual Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. This Marathon annually attracts about 15 000 participants.
Howick Falls
Leaving Pietermaritzburg we head on to Howick and stop at the world famous Howick Falls which is 95 m (310 ft) high.
Nelson Mandela Capture site
Visiting this sculpture of Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Capture site is one of the highlights of the Midlands Meander tour. This powerful memorial marks the place where Nelson Mandela, was captured on August 5, 1962. He had been on the run for 17 months and his capture marked the beginning of his 27 years in captivity.
A small museum exhibits old photographs and traces Madiba’s political path through the years.
The sculpture is truly amazing! As you walk nearer and nearer to the sculpture, Mandela’s face appears from the jagged steel rods. Artist, Marco Cianfanelli designed the rods so that each of the 50 rods line up to create the illusion of a flat image, the face of South Africa’s beloved, Nelson Mandela.
Michaelhouse School
Michaelhouse, was founded in 1896 and is one of the leading South African boarding schools for senior boys, with an international reputation. It is beautifully situated in the Midlands and the school is marked by its distinctive architecture.
Caversham
In the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, is the historical Caversham Mill. The Caversham Mill Restaurant is first class and a great place to stop for lunch. Sitting in the restaurant, on the deck, or on the lawns, you’ll enjoy a feast for you eyes with the tumbling waterfall and the wheel of the old mill. The setting is spectacular, overlooking the Lions and Impafana Rivers.
Rawdons Hotel and Country Estate
This is another possible lunch or tea stop over, beautifully situated in a lush garden. The hotel has a thriving independent brewery which can be enjoyed in the famous Rawdons pub.
Gowrie Estate
Another lunch/tea venue, idyllically set overlooking a classic golf course.
Arts and crafts
A highlight of this trip is being able to stop off at various arts and crafts centers. As many of these art studios are on working farms you may also get the opportunity to meet some of the artists themselves.
Altogether you’re promised a wonderful day out, soaking all the beauty that is offered by the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal.
Contact Me to find out more…
Iain Schouten
Tel: +27 31 716 8232
Cell: +27 79 649 3690
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