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Pietermaritzburg Travel Guide

A trip to Pietermartizburg
Located in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Pietermartizburg is more commonly known as Martizburg. This vibrant African city is in fact one of the best-preserved Victorian cities in the world, characterised by beautiful colonial buildings and surrounded by lush greenery. Here visitors can enjoy the outdoor life, as well as cultural and historical events. As a gateway between Johannesburg and Durban, Pietermartizburg has one airport, called Oribi Airport.

Flights to Pietermartizburg
Pietermartizburg’s Oribi Airport is not an international airport, but instead a hub connecting Johannesburg and Durban. The airport has numerous domestic destinations on offer, but no international connections. However, Johannesburg International Airport is only a one hour flight away and Durban’s port is just 40 minutes by car from Pietermartizburg. Most international travellers arrive in Pietermartizburg via Durban or Johannesburg.

Although public transport such as buses and trains are available in Pietermartizburg, taxis are the best way to get around. Metered taxis are abundant and can be hired for daytrips as well. Oribi Airport is less than six miles from Pietermartizburg city centre.

Sightseeing in Pietermartizburg
Pietermartizburg has something on offer for every visitor. Butterflies for Africa boasts a huge butterfly house that is home to hundreds of local species. The Natal Museum is the largest museum in KwaZulu-Natal and showcases the history and culture of the region. The Botanical Gardens are also a local favourite, and date back to 1870. The imposing City Hall is considered to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere.

After a long day of sightseeing or safari, visitors should visit the Golden Horse Casino. With over 400 slot machines and 18 gaming tables, this is the ultimate gambling experience. Even if you are not a gambler, the Pegasus statue alone will amaze you. At roughly 14 metres long, it is the largest equine statue in the world.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Pietermartizburg has an amazing array of restaurants and bars to choose from. Visitors can enjoy exotic ethnic foods as well as traditional western cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish dishes. International cuisine is also well-represented, with Thai and Chinese restaurants, as well as British-style pubs.

The city is laid-out in a nice geometric style, with streets at right angles. This makes the city easy to navigate and difficult for visitors to get lost in. Most of the main restaurants and bars are located on Commercial road, between Longmarket and Loop streets. The Golden Horse Casino is located at Scottsville Racecourse, just west of the city centre. The casino offers an excellent range of dining opportunities, from elegant Italian to casual Indian cuisine.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
There is plenty of shopping and outdoor activity to be had in Pietermartizburg. The Liberty Midlands Mall is the main shopping centre and offers a range of local and international goods. Pietermartizburg is well known for its high-quality crafts and the city’s craft markets are well worth a visit. The Oval Craft Market is held the first Sunday of every month and is considered to be one of the best in South Africa and is where many beautiful African crafts can be found.

Many outdoor activities are available, including cycling, fishing, bowling, paragliding, kayaking and cricket. However, most visitors opt for a visit into the African bush instead. Albert Falls Resources Reserve offers visitors the chance to see giraffe, kudu, rhinos and many more animals in their natural habitats.

Daytrips
From Pietermartizburg, it is easy to access some of the stunning landscapes and countryside that South Africa is known for. The Midmar Public Nature Reserve is home to zebra, wildebeest, water birds and antelope, and here families can enjoy a range of water sports, picnic sites, a swimming pool, an adventure playground and the nearby Midmar Historical Village dating back to the pioneering age.

From the magnificent World’s View viewpoint, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city, while the nearby Queen Elizabeth Park boasts lush vegetation and is home to a number of bird species. Families can enjoy picnicking and hiking here.

The famous Midlands Meander in KwaZulu Natal is easily accessed from the city. Home to handmade quality arts and crafts, the area is a wonderful place for a daytrip. Set against a striking backdrop of winding streams, lush forest and the imposing Drakensberg Mountains, Midlands Meander is the place to buy excellent cheeses, leather goods and handmade clothing and furniture.

Must-see attractions
Pietermartizburg is full of interesting colonial architecture. The Old Colonial Building of 1899 is well worth a look, as is the nearby Old Government House, which was once home to the governor of Natal. On Loop Street is the fascinating Macrorie House, once home to Bishop William. It is now a museum featuring period fabrics, furniture and textiles.

Dating back to the 19th century, Fort Napier exhibits a collection of guns and other military artefacts. The Garrison Church of St George and the military cemetery are also worth a look and a couple of Hindu temples can be seen on Longmarket Street while the city is also home to a beautiful mosque too.

Visitors can enjoy picnics and games in Wylie Park, which is home to a number of indigenous plant and flower species. A trip out to the striking Howick Falls is also a must, particularly for those with young families. From a number of hiking trails can be viewed animals such as wildebeest, antelope, giraffe and zebra.

Best time to go
Pietermartizburg tends not to experience many extremes in weather and is suitable for visiting throughout the year. Average temperatures tend to fall between 23 and 31°C, rising to 40°C in February and March. The June Comrades Marathon attracts athletes and audiences from all over the world, while each September the city comes to life with the vibrant Hilton Festival of Art and Craft.

Rainy day suggestions
Though Pietermartizburg suffers few rainy days, a number of indoor attractions entice visitors indoors for an hour or two. The Tatham Art Gallery houses a collection of 19th and 20th century paintings from Europe and South Africa, while Voortrekker House, dating back to 1847, houses an impressive assembly of period furniture. The Marathon House Museum depicts the story of the South African Marathon and is well worth a visit for sport lovers.

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