| aritzburg is the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal region | | | | The surrounding countryside is also home to |
| in South Africa. The city of Pietermaritzburg | | | | some spectacular waterfalls. Take a drive 24km |
| (more commonly shortened to Maritzburg) is a | | | | north of Pietermaritzburg to see the amazing |
| beautiful Victorian city, most famous for its | | | | 300ft Howick Falls. Other waterfalls within driving |
| history and architecture | | | | distance of the city includes Karkloof Falls and |
| Pietermaritzburg was founded in 1838 by | | | | Albert Falls to name a few. |
| Voortrekkers and it also served as the capital of | | | | Pietermaritzburg is a great base if you want to |
| the briefly existing Boer Natalia Republic | | | | explore the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal and |
| (1839-1843) before being conquered by the British | | | | there are over six driving routes which you can |
| Empire. Pietermaritzburg remained the capital of | | | | take to see different battlefields. The most |
| the new province of Natal and which was also | | | | famous battle sites are the kwaGqokli Hill, Battle |
| home to Mahatma Gandhi for about 20 years. | | | | of Opathe and the Battle of Ulundi. |
| Today you can find a statue in his memory on | | | | The Midmar Public Resort and Nature Reserve |
| Church Street in Pietermaritzburg. | | | | which is about a 15 minute drive from |
| What’s to see in the Pietermaritzburg? | | | | Pietermaritzburg, is where you can enjoy sailing, |
| Pietermaritzburg is famous for its architecture | | | | canoeing or yachting. It's also a good fishing spot |
| amongst other things, but the most significant | | | | for bass, bluegill and carp. |
| structure is the City Hall in the Central Business | | | | How about a visit to the Boston Bulwer Beat |
| District (CBD) and it is in fact, the largest red | | | | which is within easy reach of Pietermaritzburg. It's |
| brick building in the southern hemisphere! | | | | a beautiful and peaceful rural area which is popular |
| The city has a number of other museums | | | | for walking, hiking, mountain biking and rafting. |
| including the Voortrekker Museum, which | | | | Boston Bulwer Beat also claims to be the |
| documents the journey the Afrikaner people | | | | hand-gliding and para-gliding capital of South Africa! |
| made into Africa; the Natal Society Library, | | | | Remember it's only about 77km from |
| located near to the City Hall; and the Tatham Art | | | | Pietermaritzburg to Durban, which is a vibrant |
| Gallery, which is home to many fine works of art | | | | holiday resort with a mile long beachfront! |
| as well as a large collection of ceramic and | | | | Why not hire a car? |
| beadwork of the indigenous tribes. | | | | Hire a car when you visit Pietermaritzburg, as it |
| What to see in the surrounding area... | | | | really is the only way to go if you want to |
| Grab your binoculars and take a trip out to the | | | | experience at first hand, the beauty of this vast |
| African bush. Here you'll stumble upon lots of | | | | and diverse landscape. |
| nature reserves like the Albert Falls Resources | | | | You can pick up your car hire at Pietermaritzburg |
| Reserve, the KZN Wildlife at Queen Elizabeth Park | | | | Airport which serves a number of domestic flights |
| (overlooking the city) or check out the reptile | | | | to/from Johannesburg. |
| park at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. | | | | |